Hi Joe, Tim down in Redding. Congratulations on getting your project started. Just wondering what you are using for an oil level sensor. This has come up recently and it’s something I would like to have on my project. I’m still following the rotary progress and  would like to go that route but have recently purchased a Lycoming L   I came across a good used one at a fair price and current plan is to get the plane flying and then convert later, after you work out all the bugs for me J !

 

Tim

 

Well my engine is just humming (roaring?) along. I starts every time, runs till I stop it, and it doesn’t sound like it is missing or “hunting” – RPM is about 1400-1500 with the prop on.  All leaks are pretty much gone except for a persistent “weeping” on the oil level sensor on the pan that produces a drop over 8-12 hours but never drips?  It looks like the only way to fix that is to drain the oil and remove it and maybe the pan, and hit with some RTV.

 

I’ve run it now for about a total of 30 minutes in 3-4 different runs all of them under 2000 RPM – essentially at whatever I could get idle to be. The MicroTech is performing well. However, the Laptop Software what gives a graphical view of the Maps and the ability to log data requires more than a serial-cable to connect to the ECU. Apparently they sell a separate little gizmo (“dongle”) that goes between the laptop serial-port and the serial-cable to the ECU. So I’m stuck with the 2 line handset for now.

 

Anyone have any more suggestions on break-in tasks? I re-read some archived posts on the subject. It sounds like I should keep it under 3000RPM for the first hour or so and then move it up.  Beyond that, and with no more leaks to fix, I’m at a loss to know what, if anything, I need to do. I really didn’t expect it to be this easy.

 

Before first flight I want to have at least 10 hours of ground running done with at least 1 hour at or above 5000 RPM – and that 1 hour can’t be the last hour.

 

Should I be checking compression every so often? Timing? Tear the engine down and Mic all the parts J ?

 

Thanx,

Joe Hull

Redmond (Seattle), Washington

Cozy MkIV #991 (working on Engine & Electrical & Finishing)

http://www.maddyhome.com/canardpages/pages/JoeHull/index.html