Oh, and to share what prompted me to go and tear the engine open again.
After replacing the rear springs and seals a couple a weeks ago, I must admit that I had a nagging sensation about not replacing the front ones while I was at it. I dismissed the feeling justifying that when I was checking compression that the front
seals seemed to be giving me adequate compression. I am not sure now where I got my numbers for compression, but the front were over 80 psi while the rear were at 60 psi (before replacing them).
Following replacing the rear seals, I read one of Lynn's post stating that new seals may get well over 100 psi when new. This was verified with my newly installed rear seals producing around 110 psi. Hmmmmm? 30 psi difference between the
rotors? Not to my liking. However, the engine was starting about as well as ever, even when hot which had been one of my major issues up to this point. However, the engine had lost a great deal of its smoothness. I originally felt I would be able to tune
for smoothness (especially rough at idle and lower power settings), however, the smoothness did not come. I even resorted to using my second EC2 in case I had screwed something up there. I also checked ALL my wire runs AGAIN...AGAIN.
(as I have said, if I did not have all these fun little tasks to do on the plane, I would likely spend my time practicing law...or arresting people or dating....or...or....watching "American Idle"....oh, the horror!)
As I said, I was able to start pretty easily, however, I could not get it to smooth out. So, while giving some thought to the "clues" (yes, contrary to what may seem to be the case, I actually do give these matters some thought), I decided to change
the spark plug wires since they were old and installed more to test the system. While doing so it dawn on me that the engine was hot....(yeah, what insight). Ok, what I mean is that it dawned on me that when I had done my compression test before, I had done
so when the engine was cold since the idea of screwing in a compression gage to a hot engine was less than appealing. Wait. The compression test should be done when the engine is warm. I never retested once I had warmed up the engine. Well, there
is not time like the present. So, I redid the compression test. This time, the compression on the rear rotor was still over 100 psi, however, the compression on the front housing, while still around 80 ps....was only giving me TWO "bounces". Yeah,
for any noobs on the list, there must be three "bounces". Also, the chugchuga wosh did not sound "right". DOH! I checked and rechecked. So, one of the front seals seems bent too. No real surprise.
Thus, I am now cracking open then engine and replacing all the seals AS I SHOULD HAVE DONE ORIGINALLY. So much for a false economy. Perhaps that little nagging sensation will not be present this time...I really gotta learn to listen to the little
sensation......oh, wait, I have you guys too <g>.
Chris