Newbizor wrote:So I flew it today and it ran great, made full power and loved it. I climbed up to about 4,000ft (800ft field elevation) and the engine didn't miss a beat! I cant explain how happy I am, what a huge relief. I can't thank you all enough, actually last night I made my donation to the site.
I flew for about 45 mins and landed to do a quick oil level check/general visual inspection under the cowl (maybe 5 mins) before starting it back up and taxiing to take it back up, I noticed it took a few blades to start which was a little unusual but brushed it off to being fully warm. I got to the end of the runway and did another runup and when I selected my right mag I got NO rpm drop, selected the left mag and DEAD. Shit.... I taxied back to the ramp and started to investigate. Right away I stuck my head under the panel to inspect the wiring to the switch ( I just replaced all the wiring in this whole plane, the switch is only a few years old) and it was all intact, terminals tight and no rubbing on anything. Next I popped the panel on the cowl and looked at the mags/harnesses (still there) and the p-leads back to the firewall. All appeared well, I noticed the right mag P-lead was movable by hand when I rotated it so I tightened the nut back down (not that that had anything to do with it I know). I started it back up and this time I got a drop when selecting the right mag, but when I selected the left mag I got a very big drop, rough running and backfiring (LOUD!) out of the exhaust. I shut back down and went inside the FBO and drank a soda while I mentally planned my attack. About 20 mins later for shits and giggles I thought I would just try it again, started the engine (started right up) good mag drop on both mags.... whatever, I blasted off and flew back home (just a short 10 min hop) and when I landed before I shut down I did another mag check and the Left mag was dead again....
Why would the mag work cool but die once its warmed up? Bad Coil? I guess I'll be pulling the mag (might as well do both) anyway......cliff wrote:Your engine didn't happen to be bought from a guy in PA on Barnstormers? If so I know a little bit about the engine. I am just wondering because the years of non use and low hours sound the same.
Nope, this plane has lived its whole life between Minnesota and Wisconsin as far as the logbooks/records show.lesuther wrote:Wow...thanks for the update. I've never run into a spring issue before. It's an education for me for sure.
Thanks!
Yeah some local mechanics told me I should at least have the springs checked, since the engine had sat for 20 years without moving. It was kind of a long shot in my mind but I'm thrilled it ended up being the culprit.hotrod180 wrote:IMHO this is where a good engine monitor / multi-point EGT / CHT gauge would really earns it's keep, isolating problems to a certain cylinder(s) for diagnosis purposes.
I know, I'd love a CGR-30P but the thing is damn expensive.....I've been on the fence now on it for some time. I've installed JPI monitors in friends planes and they are awesome tools. I think that might be my next purchase for this plane, hopefully they will have a deal at the EAA booth or something (just dreaming).
When you do spring for a monitor, also consider an Insight. I've been very happy with my Insight G-1, and Insight's service policies are outstanding.
Cary
