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Ask Paul: Too much information about our engines?

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Q: I have a factory reman Lycoming O-540 E4B5 with 300 hours and 2.5 years on it. At idle (1,000 rpm), my JPI is showing alarms on the #1 EGT for having a large differential — #1 EGT is only 600° while the rest are 1,200-1,300°. Above 1,500 rpm and higher everything seems fine with normal readings and maybe #1 CHT a little lower, but I expect that since it is first in the airstream. I have full data printouts from the JPI.

I have checked the plugs even though my mag checks are fine and replaced the probe on #1 EGT with no change. I’m scared to think I have stuck valves. [Read more…]

Paul McBride

Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired after almost 40 years with Lycoming.

Send your questions to askpaul@generalaviationnews.com.

The marriage between piston rings and cylinder wall

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Q: I am an A&P, and have been in aviation since 1990. I once worked with another mechanic who told me that if you pull a piston out of a cylinder, you must replace the rings and hone the cylinder. He is the only tech I have heard say this — until I read your article What’s best? A flush or overhaul?

You stated: “If oil starvation is suspected, you may want to remove the #1 cylinder (leave the piston in the cylinder so you don’t have to hone the cylinder and install new rings) and remove the connecting rod from the crankshaft.” Can you explain this? Is there a Service Bulletin or other directive that explains this practice? Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

TOM THROSSEL, via email

[Read more…]

Paul McBride

Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired after almost 40 years with Lycoming.

Send your questions to askpaul@generalaviationnews.com.

Continental’s Mattituck Services to close

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AVweb is reporting that Mattituck Services, one of the northeast’s longest-established engine shops, will close at the end of May, according to officials at Continental Motors, who said that some of the 23 affected employees will move to Continental’s facility in Fairhope, Alabama, which offers similar services on overhauls and factory service.

Janice Wood

Janice Wood is editor of General Aviation News.

Rotax launches new 912 iS fuel-injected engine

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In a product launch somewhat comparable to an Apple product event, BRP Rotax recently drew a large group of attendees to its facility in Gunskirchen, Austria, to launch its new 912 iS engine. In the tech world, “i” means Internet. In the light aviation world,  or more specifically BRP Rotax’s world, “i” now means injected.

[Read more…]

Dan Johnson

For more on Sport Pilot and LSA: ByDanJohnson.com or you can email Dan.

The engines of AERO Part II

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Your blogger briefly mentioned the engines on display at AERO Friedrichshafen 2012 in a previous report on April 22. With Europe’s largest general aviation show now two weeks past, I thought it was time to provide a few more details. With the previous two shows having focused great attention on electric propulsion, AERO organizers wisely chose 2012 to showcase advances in piston and turbine engines, and there was a great deal to see indeed.

[Read more…]

Kent Misegades

Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., a pilot since age 15, aerospace engineer and homebuilder, started his career fueling aircraft at a large FBO in Louisville, Ky.

The engines of AERO Friedrichshafen

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Your blogger is attending the AERO Friedrichshafen show in sunny southern Germany. Among the hundreds of exhibits are many new aircraft engines, some with names like Continental and Lycoming most Americans would recognize, but others that are relatively unknown in the U.S. While a full report will have to wait until next week, one thing is very clear: Europeans have already accepted a lead-free aviation future.

[Read more…]

Kent Misegades

Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., a pilot since age 15, aerospace engineer and homebuilder, started his career fueling aircraft at a large FBO in Louisville, Ky.

Will this replacement camshaft work in my engine?

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Q: I have an O-290-D2 that I am going to use in an Experimental Wag Aero 2+2 that I am building. Although the engine was flying regularly before I removed it from a Pacer and pickled it, I want to open it up to look at the cam. If the cam is pitted, a replacement will be difficult or prohibitively expensive.

[Read more…]

Paul McBride

Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired after almost 40 years with Lycoming.

Send your questions to askpaul@generalaviationnews.com.

Tempest introduces new kits for Bendix magnetos

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Tempest has introduced 12 new magneto repair kits for Bendix magnetos — six repair kits and six deluxe repair kits. A repair kit is generally used for 500 hour inspections, where a deluxe repair kit is for major repairs and overhauls, company officials said.

[Read more…]

Janice Wood

Janice Wood is editor of General Aviation News.

Ask Paul: What’s best? A flush or overhaul?

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Q: I recently found paper towel bits and pieces in a Lycoming engine in an aerobatic airplane. The pilot said he saw the oil pressure go to “zero,” so he reduced power, and landed safely. Would you suggest a flush or overhaul? What’s the best way to go about this?

ED NELSON, via email

[Read more…]

Paul McBride

Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired after almost 40 years with Lycoming.

Send your questions to askpaul@generalaviationnews.com.

Ask Paul: Why is my spark plug oil-fouled?

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Q: I have been noticing an intermittent miss on the left mag during mag checks on the O-235L2C in my 1981 Cessna 152 (about 670 SMOH that included new Lycoming cylinders and pistons). About 30 hours ago when I cleaned, regapped, and rotated the plugs, I found that the lower plug on the #4 cylinder was filled with oil around the inner electrode and ceramic insulator. [Read more…]

Paul McBride

Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired after almost 40 years with Lycoming.

Send your questions to askpaul@generalaviationnews.com.