It could have been carb ice
Tony
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paddy Clarke" <paddyclarke@lineone.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 9:36 PM
Subject: Europa-List: Apology and Suggestions?
>
> Hi Folks,
> Firstly an apology to all those good souls who made the DOTH to
> Andrewsfield today, that I didn't.
> The reason I didn't was that my engine decided to misbehave on
> takeoff. Run-up was normal and I got my normal max RPM on power
> application, but after approx 50m the RPM dropped to 5400. I
> abandoned T/O suspecting the prop controller - 5400 is the Airmaster
> climb power setting. However having exercised the controller, I did
> another power run and the engine was definitely unhappy. It was very
> rough above 4000 RPM and couldn't reach the normal max and the EGT
> reading was right up. Trying the separate ignition circuits certainly
> made it run rougher, but neither side much worse than the other.
> I taxied back suspecting a plug lead off - I've had that before- but
> on removing the cowlings all leads were in place. I then took out all
> the plugs, they looked pristine and all identical. I took off the
> carb bowls and gascolator - absolutely no sign of anything other than
> clean, clear fuel.
> I put it all back together and it ran perfectly, giving max RPM with
> stable fuel flow and moderate EGT for a good 2 mins.
> I decided to bite the bullet and do a couple of short flights, again
> no problems.
> One thing that springs to mind is fuel vaporization, but it was the
> first flight of the day and not particularly warm. I am using mogas
> and the aircraft had been fully fueled but left in a covered hangar -
> recent daytime temperatures up to 24 deg C, nighttime probably no
> lower than 15. However I have done approx 750 hrs, many times in much
> higher temperatures, (though it has to be said that the highest
> temperatures would have been on the continent using Avgas), and I
> have never had this problem before. The aircraft was standing out in
> full sun on a warm day before my 2 short flights, but here was no
> hint of a reoccurrence.
> Has anyone had anything similar, or got any suggestions?
> All the best, Paddy
>
>
> Paddy Clarke
>
> Europa XS - 404 G-KIMM
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