Hi All,
Well – its happened - the dreaded starter adapter
failure at ~90hrs TTIS!!
The engine was delivered late 2008 and and was first
used in flight late 2010 – so I'm well out of warranty
time period. Anyways, beyond a few hints a few hours
prior, almost continuous slipping started almost overnight
– very difficult to get a start, and nearly got stuck a
little way from home.
I did end up installing the Skytec at about 70hours. It
ran the starts like a trooper, until….. The ST3 seems to
test fine according to Skytec recommended checks. As I
still have the the old Iskra starter, I'm thinking of
installing this just to make absolutely certain that it is
the adapter, and not the starter motor – but its a very
long shot as I think the ST3 is, not surprisingly,
absolutely fine.
For what its worth, I can turn the starter adapter
shaft quite easily both ways, but may be only a quarter of
a turn or so before sensing a "spring resistance" feel
and, if one lets go of the shaft, it just "springs back" -
same in both directions of rotation. I'll be talking to
engine engineers on Monday, but does this all sound like a
failed adapter?
My main question now – has anyone had any experience of
replacing the starter adapter on the IO-550 in a Legacy?
Can it be done by lifting the engine off the engine mount
and moving it forwards a few inches? If this is possible
then it might come down to "just" disconnecting governor
and throttle cables (may be mixture), remove a few cable
ties to wiring and P-clamps on fuel lines, and unbolt the
rear exhaust hangers? Make sense, or is it really a case
of engine right out?
As it happens, the left hand side upper rear facing
stud is really very long, and it doesn't seem possible to
pull the adapter off this stud without moving the engine
forward (BTW - this stud has been installed with two
spacers setting the nut about 7/16 – 1/2" off the adapter
housing itself – it is a TCM reman engine – doesn't seem
right to me, but may be there's good reason?)
Would be very grateful any tips and suggestions….
Thanks!