This has been debated on the Forum fairly recently, so the previous
postings may provide an answer (there was certainly a previous posting that
described a UK Classic that had airbox, no carb. heat and was PFA
"approved").
Nigel Charles (?) also mentioned carb. temperatures he had measured.
I would argue that the close proximity of the rear cylinder exhaust header
pipes (on the Classic, not the XS) provide a considerable amount of
radiated heat to the body of the carb. This could be enhanced by a bit of
black paint!
However, if the above is true, then there might also be a tendency to
boiling the fuel in the float bowls, which doesn't seem to be something
that happens.
Yesterday was a nice day for flying (in the UK). Even (much later in the
day) for a first flight.
Duncan McF.
On Sunday, October 27, 2002 3:05 PM, Carl Pattinson
[SMTP:carl@flyers.freeserve.co.uk] wrote:
> About two years ago I met a Danish Europa owner at the PFA rally who had
> incorporated a NACA scoop in the top of the engine cowling to introduce
cold
> air to the carb area (ie: top cowling area). This was not the standard
> Europa plenum chamber arrangement but a cable operated vent that could be
> opened/ closed at will. There was (as far as we could ascertain) no
ducting
> under the cowlings or any direct airwat to the carb intakes.
>
> I thought this was worth trying but the PFA are not too keen on the idea
as
> no one in the UK has tried it before. They are worried that introducing
cold
> air into the intake area could lead to carb icing which could not be
cleared
> by simply closing the duct. They believe it would be prudent to fit carb
> heaters in order to clear any ice that might form.
>
> I was a little surprised at their conclusions especially as I was under
the
> impression thet the standard Europa plenum box arrangement which takes
cold
> air from outside does not include the fitment of carb heaters. I would
have
> thought that if the factory approved mod dosent cause icing then the
> arrangement which I was considering would be similarly ice free.
>
> The only difference as far as I can see is that with the factory design
> there is no choice between cold and warm air whereas with a cable
operated
> duct there is.
>
> At the end of the day I am happy to go along with the PFA's requirement
to
> fit carb heaters but would be interested to hear if anyone else has tried
a
> similar arrangement.
>
> If anyone else has adopted such an arrangement I would be interested to
know
> whether carb icing was a problem.
>
> Carl Pattinson
> G-LABS
>
> PS: My permit to test arrived just in time for the gale force winds !!!!
>
>
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