This may be the most stupid question posed on this site. 

 

Ok, first the update on my loss of compression in my rear rotor housing.  I tore open the engine and everything looked really good, except, as expected, the springs for the apex seals had been flattened.  Upon reflection, I also remember removing the rear spark plug a while back and recall I replaced it due to the plug removed looked damaged.  At the time, since the engine seemed to be running ok (event though difficult to start), I didn’t think too much of it.  However, now I realize that it was a clear indication of detonation.

 

Seems like a no brainer now, but sometimes I gotta be hit across the skull with the obvious.  Flame suite on but in the tradition of John Slade, I do wish to post my failures to help others learn and to hopefully finally get it.

 

Anyway, I got everything buttoned up and got it to start last night.  I reset all the EC2 parameters to the factory defaults. It did not run well.  I could not even get it to start on the A computer, and it started after a lot of extended cranking on the B computer.  It did not run great on B.  My suspicion is that the timing is off.  The B computer was tuned a long time ago and has not been updated.  I plan to do a static timing check this evening if I can get out to the hangar.  I have gotten that process down pretty good now.  I think I may be off a tooth on the crank angle sensor.  I think a combination of a lean mixture and bad timing may be the predominant factors in my detonation problem.  I had a friend point out the obvious in that the pinging I may have thought I would hear would not be too likely with the noise of the prop.  DOH!

 

I did do the EC2 check and the injectors are clicking dutifully and I saw strong spark on all plugs.

 

Ok, here is the stupid question and a major bonehead moment.  I remember that you must “ clock “ the rear rotor to the front rotor when installing them.  However, when I installed the rear rotor the other day I placed it where I though it needed to go base on when I removed it, however, I can’t remember now if I actually got it back in the right position in relation to the front rotor.  I was thinking it is only gonna fit one way based on the position of the e-shaft to the chamber walls.  Is this so, or could I have it out of position?  I am having visions of me getting it to start with the rear rotor out of position, thus only running on the front rotor while banging the hell out of the rear rotor.   Would it even start if this were so?

 

If I gotta tear it down to check, I will and as mentioned, cracking open is not all that big a deal anymore.  Other than this obvious brain fart, I am understanding the process much better….rote practice does this.

 

Thanks guys/gals.

 

Chris Barberfly