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Well, after several mods to my airplane, which
include installing firesleeve on all fuel lines, installing a vent for the sump
tank (into the main wing tank) and bypassing the Facet fuel pump with a short
length of clear tubing, I ran the engine until the water temp hit 230
degrees. I shut it down and let the heat soaking proceed. Then I
restarted the engine and ran it up to 240 degrees. Still was able to go to full
power with no signs of the engine stumbling or running rough. Finally,
temps hit 250 and I could hear the surge tank spitting out steam and liquid, but
WOT was still smooth. Previously it would stumble and quit by the time I
hit 230. I taxiied back in and temps only came down to around 220, so we
placed the fan under the NACA scoop to cool it down. There was evidence of
small bubbles coming out of the top of the aluminum sump tank (which remained
cool to the touch even at 250 degrees water temp), going into the left fuel
strake. It was a small amount, but nevertheless, it was evident that the vent
was working. There was no evidence of any bubbles coming out of the bottom of
the surge tank and trying to work their way back up towards the fuel selector
valve (through the line that the Facet pump normally resides). I ran it
again today, but just to normal 180 degree temps, and it still ran fine.
Paul Conner
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