flyrotary@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

Rino,

So what brand/style of hose? I know a lot of people use Earls Perform-O-Flex (including me). I've never had a hose that I assembled fail, but on my previous RV (built by someone else) a fuel line (Earls) failed. In that case the fitting was installed incorrectly and pushed the hose most of the way back out of the fitting when assembled. It was a ticking timebomb that was OK for years before it failed. We were lucky that it failed during a preflight without the engine running. An inflight failure would have resulted in an engine fire. I've met quite a few A&Ps who dislike Earls for this reason, but in my opinion if you are careful with assembly Earls hoses are fine. Cant beat the huge variety of angled fittings that they offer.

I go the idiot light one better. My engine monitor was made by Audio Flight Avionics, a Canadian company now defunct. It has an audio output that ties into your intercom and a very pleasant female voice tells you anytime any parameter goes out of limits. She also regularly (user defined interval) tells you if all parameters are normal, and she tells you when to switch tanks. The audio was a little annoying when I first got the engine running and all the parameters were screwed up, but now that its working correctly I sure like it.

Mike Wills

RV-4 N144MW

----- Original Message -----

From: Rino

To: Rotary motors in aircraft

Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 6:04 AM

Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Oil Pressure

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 -----

From: Ed Anderson

To: Rotary motors in aircraft

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.

Ed Anderson

Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered

Matthews, NC

eanderson@carolina.rr.com