Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #56209
From: Ed Anderson <eanderson@carolina.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: vapor lock
Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2011 06:47:05 -0400
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Ok, Finn,  that was my guess as well. 
 
 That then brings up a question - my understanding of "vapor lock" is that it is caused by a low pressure area/combined with hot fuel on the EFI pump intake which cause the gasoline to flash to vapor - naturally the EFI pumps can not pump vapor - therefore as fuel is injected from the high pressure side of the pump (reducing pressure on that side), vapor can form there as well.  In any case, insufficient fuel is injected into the engine.
 
Since the injectors are still clicking open, it would seem that any vapor on that side of the pump already has a chance to vacate the line (through the injector) - so my assessment is that it is not the relief of vapor/gas from the high pressure side that remedies the problem, it's removing the gas from the low pressure side (pump inlet) and thereby permitting liquid fuel to be pumped that "cures" a vapor lock situation. 
 
So I am puzzled why a gas vent on the high pressure side would have much (if any) effect on vapor lock.  IF there is pressure on the injector side - I question whether it would be as high as pump pressure - and even if it were, the injector opening would provide a path for it to be release - not to mention the pressure regulator.  So as I said -I'm a bit puzzled as to the mechanism that a vent in the high pressure side prevents vapor lock.
 
In my opinion, there are two ways to reduce/eliminate the vapor in the low pressure side - either cool the fuel sufficiently (somewhat difficult to do) or to increase the pressure in the low pressure line forcing the vapor back into the liquid - ergo - use  a boost pump.
 
FWIW
 
Ed
 

Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2011 2:53 AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: vapor lock

Hi Ed,

I believe it's simply a return to the tank from the high-pressure side via a very small orifice. How small I do not know.

Finn

On 8/10/2011 9:28 AM, Ed Anderson wrote:
 
The one I potential preventive measure/fix I have not looked into is the vapor by-pass/dump that I know a few folks are using.  I search the archive but could not find a description of this method - anyone care to provide one?

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