From: "Paul" <sqpilot@bellsouth.net>
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Engine damage thoughts
Sent: 19 Dec 2004 04:30:19

 Hi, Rusty....I have found that oil analysis really tells all. They can tell if there is anything in the oil and will even tell you what it was from (bearings, bronze from bushings, etc, etc).  Also found that cutting into the oil filter will tell you almost everything you need to know, although not quite as scientific as engine oil analysis.  We used to send our oil to the Fram filter company, and they would send back a report that would alert you to any potential problems.  Just a thought.  Paul Conner
 
 ----- Original Message -----
 FROM:   Russell   Duffy
 TO: Rotary motors in aircraft
 SENT: Saturday, December 18, 2004 11:36   AM
 SUBJECT: [FlyRotary] Engine damage   thoughts
 
 Greetings   again,
 
 I've been thinking more   about the engine, and wondering what the chances are that there's any damage   inside.
 
 I'm pretty sure I noticed   the oil about the instant it started to lose any significant amount.  As   soon as the oil started to leak, I pulled the engine back to idle, and   descended ASAP.  I'm sure I was doing at least 2000 fpm from 6000 to   2000 ft, which only accounts for 2 minutes of time.  At 2000 ft, is when   I tried to throttle up, and the engine quit, so no time after that   counts.  I'm absolutely sure the engine quit because I had the   mixture knob set way lean for cruise, and not because it seized up.
 
 This means that at worst,   the engine idled for 2 minutes with no oil pressure.  My guess would be   that it was more like 30 seconds or less.  With this in mind, I'm   thinking that it's worth doing some ground runs of the engine to see how   healthy it seems.  If I can thoroughly run it on the ground without   problems, then I can follow that with about 10 hours of circling the   field.  By that point, I can't imagine having any further concerns.    If there was a problem, it would damage the engine further, but still continue   to until I made it to an airport.  If I'm wrong about how   much damage there might be, it will get expensive, but shouldn't be life   threatening.
 
 Many of you have a lot   more experience with these engines than I do.  Does this sound like a   reasonable plan?
 
 Thanks,
 Rusty (late for the   airport as always)