Mailing List lml@lancaironline.net Message #42145
From: glong2 <glong2@netzero.net>
Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: RE: [LML] Re: Continental Engine fuel Sys.
Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 23:35:02 -0400
To: <lml@lancaironline.net>

Charlie:

 

The engine is about 3 years old and has about 225 hours. The strange thing is I now do not need the boost pump for any operation, the problem has cured itself. I have taken the plane to 8500’ without the boost – in the past I have taken the plane to 18000’ without the boost. I have tried many combinations to get the same occurrence occur but everything is normal concerning fuel pressure and flow without the boost pump. I can blow through the vent lines into the tank with no problem and when I replaced the tygon tubing I found no kinks, only the water trap in each wing.

 

Ron Galbraith suggested that perhaps I was very lean of peak with the boost pump on and the flow went too lean when the boost was turned off. I was flying today to test that theory at 7500’. I leaned to 12.5 GPH with the boost on. I turned the boost off and the flow went to 12.4 GPH and the engine did not hiccup. I then tried 11.5 GPH with the boost on, turned the boost off and the flow went to 11.4 with the same pressure. I don’t think that was it.

 

Bill Hannahan was at the hanger today and we looked at the fuel pump diagrams in the manual. We concluded it could be the check valve in the mechanical fuel pump that was stuck open by something that was eventually washed out or the same thing could happen with a check valve stuck shut in the electrical fuel pump. If that is what it was I do not know how to troubleshoot. I also am having a hard time believing it could be a vent line problem in both tanks but it is the only solution I have!

 

Eugene Long

Lancair Super ES

glong2@netzero.net


From: Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Charlie Kohler
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 7:17 PM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] Re: Continental Engine fuel Sys.

 

Hi Eugene,

I went back and reread your initial post and I feel you were correctly analyzing the problem.

There is a remote possibility that the vent system is at fault--however it is hard to believe that both tank vents would be plugged at the same time.

If you remove your fuel cap and put a rubber line into the naca vent and blow on it--you should feel air coming out the fuel cap. If not-you probably have a flex line kinked. If you've been flying a while without problems than it's not likely that the vents are too small.

If all is good here--you have to believe something is wrong with the fuel system. That consists of three components. Engine-driven fuel pump/fuel control (throttle valve)/fuel manifold valve.

To have to use the electric fuel pump to keep the engine running below 10,000 feet is indication of a problem and I would not fly the airplane until I found the problem. You are using your emergency backup system in a normal operation.

You don't say how many hours or years on the engine. But if these fuel system components have over five years I would consider them due especially with the problems you are having.

Charlie K.


.

 

----- Original Message ----
From: "marv@lancair.net" <marv@lancair.net>
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 12:06:18 PM
Subject: [LML] Re: Continental Engine fuel Sys.

Posted for "glong2" <glong2@netzero.net>:

Charlie:

I did the check yesterday. I drained about 1/5 quarts through the sniffle
valve and did not get a drop from the manifold valve drain. I was surprised
how fast the high boost pump put gas in the manifold to the sniffle valve. I
am still looking for a better explanation than I have!

Have you ever seen a bad manifold valve diaphragm be intermittent?

This is all good troubleshooting information, thanks for your input.

Eugene Long
Lancair Super ES

"""
Actually-- It's a good hangar "floor" preflight check. There are two
drains-usually on left side by the nose gear door (sniffle valve on the
right).
One, ( the engine driven fuel pump) may drain oil or fuel-- depending which
seal is leaking. Fuel is especially bad as it is a precurser to fuel leaking
by the oil seal and filling the crankcase.

The other drain is the one in the previous post. The fuel manifold drain.
Another bad (grounding) sign.

A blue stain on the belly or a spot on the hangar floor is a sign.

By the way-- a black (oil) spot on ground under sniffle valve on hangar
floor is a indicator that intake valve guides are worn. If you pull an
intake pipe, you'll find oil inside. Time to think about a top o'haul.
"""

--
 
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