Question for Paul McBride, the General Aviation News engines expert: I have acquired a Lycoming O-290 in an experimental. The data plate has been removed. Is there anyway with a borescope to look in and see what pistons I have to know if it’s a D or a D2?
Can my engine really be converted with just a simple adjustment?
I am building a Velocity and it happens that I purchased a zero time rebuilt 250-hp Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 engine. I have been told by a maintenance shop that the only difference between a C4B5 and a D4B5 is the setting of the fuel servo. The D4B5 is rated at 260 horsepower, and they claim they can adjust the servo to convert the C4B5 into a D4B5.
Is what I’m doing protecting my aircraft from corrosion during the winter?
The short running of the engine pumps heavier oil throughout the engine. Better corrosion protection is the theory. What is your opinion?
Ask Paul: What’s causing loss of propeller control?
Question for Paul McBride, the General Aviation News engines expert: I have been maintaining a 1953 T-34 (Beech A45) with a Continental O-470-13 engine installed (original) for the last couple of years. The ownership group has been reporting a loss of propeller control after about 20 to 30 minutes into their flight, however it was happening intermittently and now it is happening almost every flight.
Ask Paul: What are these weird marks?
I recently bought a borescope and used it on my neighbor’s experimental Panther. I discovered these marks, which are really strange.
Ask Paul: Question stumps IA — and our expert
I have an interesting problem with my Piper PA28-235 with a Lycoming O-540 B4B5 engine that has my IA stumped.
Ask Paul: What’s going on with my recently overhauled engine?
However, whenever I start the plane and reduce RPM to 1,000, it runs very rough. It idles at about 650 rpm and rough as well. At start up and low RPM, the RPM fluctuates quite a bit before it eventually stabilizes.
Ask Paul: Is it over torqued or under torqued?
From my experience when an engine thru bolt fails, it’s typically caused by one of two things: Under torque or over torque.
Ask Paul: Troubleshooting engine problems requires specific information
Anytime you are asking a question regarding a Lycoming engine, it’s much easier for me to respond if I have a specific engine model and serial number. Any maintenance history on the engine is also helpful, especially when troubleshooting a condition that has recently changed in the operation of the engine. I will never fault anyone for providing too much information.