Thanks for the response guys!
It was an exiting day to say the
least.
At this time of the year there is not a single boat
left on the lake so it took some time before being rescued. The firemen
came and pulled the plane to a local marina where I cut the hose fixed it
and took off again. I knew that taking off again without checking the
engine was risky but I did not want to leave the plane along the lake for the
winter. I made it ok to the airport, about 10 minutes. The engine
turned by hand and had all the exhaust pulses and it did produced full power as
usual. It was a good takeoff, my first on the water.
The oil hose broke at the fitting, (it kind of
sheared and pulled out of the fitting) a mechanic said the outer fitting ferrule
might have been pressed too much and had damaged the hose itself. In
any case this is not the type of hose that should be used on an aircraft.
I had my douts about this type of hose. Unfortunately, I was
right.
Now, there is another thing about this hose. It is
not very far from the exhaust stack (I will measure the distance). The
other hose that connect there is coverd with a fire sleeve, plus wrapped in
foil, because it is closer to the exhaust stack. I will have to check
that more closely. Did not think of this heat damage possibility before
now.
Yes the oil pressure warning LED will be there on
the instrument panel the next time the engine start.
I have Tracy's EM2 and the pressure display flashes
when it is low but there is nothing like a flashing RED light to attract my
attention.
Quite a few lessons learned here and probably more
are coming up!
Back to the hangar!
Rino
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 12:35
AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Oil
Pressure
Great flying,
Rino!! Dead stick landings (having made three in my 10
years) always get my heart rate up a notch not to mention disappearing seat
cushions. Fortunately, the rotary has a lot of bearing area and can
survive longer without adequate oil pressure than most engines – but, as
Lynn said,
tear it down, rebuild it and let us know what you
find.
I only use SS braided
lines for oil, fuel AND coolant (I know a bit anal on the coolant lines being
capable of handling 750 psi of coolant pressure), but I have never had a line
break – yet.
Needless to say, glad
you made it down to the lake safely and both you and the aircraft will fly
again.
Welcome to the club
{:>)
Ed.