Hi, Ed...

I considered that as a possibility...no, more like a probablility....but I was thinking that when I reduced the throttle the engine rpm's would have gotten back into the area where it was programmed correctly (or at least closer to correct).  I throttled all the way back to 1/4 throttle, and then back to 1/2 throttle, and no improvement. It was difficult to reduce the throttle on an already "not climbing" aircraft, but at that point, I was willing to try anything. Could not get it to go above 2000 rpm's, and it was running VERY rough.  Paul Conner

Paul, Trying to be constructive here, 50%+i of homebuilt engine failures are caused by fuel delivery problems. (FAA crash stats) Putting on my mechanics hat from the old days, START WITH THE SIMPLEST POSSIBLE PROBLEM FIRST. Check your plugs to see if you had a rich or lean failure. If you had a lean condition the leading plugs at least will be clean as can be. Rich the opposite. I'm betting on lean. Check your fuel filters etc. Be sure your vents are clear. Only after you are SURE that you don't have a simple problem go on to the others. I must relate a problem I had happen once despite years of experience. I was tuning a small two stroke for a kid I knew. He drove it into my garage and we proceeded to do a "full on" tuneup. We changed and replaced the points, (yea that long ago) did timing, fuel filters the whole enchalada. When we finished the damm thing would not start! After about an hour of fiddling including doing almost everything over I got simple and checked the spark with the BRAND NEW SPARKPLUG. Nothing, nada. I got another plug and it fired first kick! The plug didn't have the internal conductor inserted on the assembly line. It looked perfect until I cut it apart. Long-winded moral to the story, cover all the bases. You may find the problem you had might have happened in any Cessna. Glad you didn't hurt your self or the plane. Just burn the underware.

Bill Jepson