I have a simjet 1200 AES with the flightworks pump. It has approx 12 start/run cycles on it. we started experiencing a problem upon startup friday. The turbine will ignite on powermax, heat up, ramp up on fuel, run on kero, but will shutdown once it has obtained idle"yellow light" or just before obtaining idle"yellow and green". It will do this at the same time every time. The immediete history goes like this, 2 test runs no problem, 1 flight no problem, 1 red light shutdown as described, then another flight no problem. Then the next day, 1 shutdown, 1 perfect flight , and then continual shutdowns.

these are the things we tried in order,1. pecked lightly on fuel valve to unstick if this was the case. 2. took out fuel lines and inline filter, checked for stoppage, none found. 3. took out UAT to eliminate it altogether. 4. reprogramed idle setting on TX. Turbine still shuts down at same time or about. The thing that is puzzeling me is that we did get the perfect runs in between problems at first but not anymore. I dont think it is a radio interfence problem,"failsafe set to shutdown engine" because it happens at the same time every cycle. Probably isnt a fuel quality problem because we did get the 2 flights in the middle of this. Bearings are free, rotor isnt rubbing, no air bubbles are dectected entering turbine at time of problems. Engine was new in jan 03, Any help would be greatley appreciated. Thank you. Russell Campbell

I read on a post about an earler 1200 that the proper idle setting is up trim until light goes out, back until light comes on and then 3 more clicks down. I am setting mine by the manual and just going down until the light comes back on. "no three clicks more". Again what is puzzleing me is the good runs mixed in with the bad, however more bad than good. Russ

Hi Russ

It sounds like you've gone through all the troubleshooting steps in the manual. Since you haven't been able to rectify the problem, I suggest you send it in for us to have a look at it. Since it's under warranty, the repairs and return shipping will be covered.

Sincerely,
Ed

i am sending the engine to mich. jets with Jhonny Woods, a local flyer out of Nashville. He will give it to you at your tent on friday. Thanks for the service. Russ

Hi Russ,

Finally back from Spain... You're turbine is tested and running- a sticky fuel pump was the issue. I'll be sending it back ASAP.

Hello, it is friday the 8th, i havent gotten my engine back yet, just wanting to know if you shipped it back yet and if so what carrier will it be comming from. Thanks Russ

Hi Russ,

Sent you a PM

Kevin, Ed, Thank you for returning my engine, i apprecieate the warranty service on it. I however have bad news. I installed the engine on my jet, went through the priming sequence, started it, NO PROBLEMS, ran for about 5 min alternating from idle to full, then shutdown on me, " i attribute this to a possible air bubble" OR The next saga: upon cool down the starter started squealing " o-ring" then the o-ring deteriorated and the starter engages but does not grab the nut. I dont know if the engine ingested a peice of the o-ring or not, engine seems fine. I dont think i am qualified to install the new o-ring, i realize that you cannot tell when the o-ring will fail, but this engine has given me nothing but heartache. I am in the process of moving to Florida, Couldnt fly much in september anyway but i was wanting to fly before i went. I am going to take this engine back off the plane and give it to a friend of mine. He can take it to metropolis. PLEASE install the o-ring and test it at the meet because the starter motor itself could have become misaligned and caused this also. He will get the engine back to me. Thank You Russ

Sorry to hear about your continuing frustrations Russ. The O-rings are actually very simple to install. As they are a metric size (13mmOD x 2.5mm x-section) they are not always easily found, but they are a standard size.

I can walk you through the O-ring change procedure over the phone if you like, or we'll get it up and running at Superman as you suggest.