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-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [COUPERS] Carb Ice Date: Mon, 08 Oct 2001 20:20:58 -0700 From: Jon Page <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Organization: @Home Network To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], ercoupe <[email protected]>,coupers tech <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> References: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ken Doyle. This "carb ice" problem is very near and dear to my own heart. Both coupes I've owned have suffered from what everyone said was carb ice. It never seemed right to me though. Normally an engine will start to slow down and run rough for some time before giving up completly. Mine would just quit dead with no prior notice. After many sleepless nights I came up with a couple of theories. 1- That the problem was not ice at all. 2- The engine is being fed too much air for the amount of fuel that goes through the main jet. 3- That #2 was caused by the shape of the air intake in front of the air filter. The funnel shape of the intake on the coupe causes a ram air effect, going from about 7" down to about 2". Pulling on carb heat would restore power every time. This, I sermised, was because the air was no longer being rammed in, but taking a much slower route through the heater. Also, heating in effect enrichens the mixture, helping the starved engine. Slightly enlarging the main jet made things noticeably better,but not still quite right. Please believe me when I say the carb has been completely checked out, along with all other things like air leaks, float level,check for cracks and fuel supply. Now, on my coupe the air intake "funnel" is about 5/8" back from thr nose cowling. This gap would supply enough air to happily run the engine if the front air intake were totally blocked off. I made an aluminum cover plate with a 2" hole in the center, and screwed it on the intake. This allows a hole as big as the carb intake but gets away from the funnel ram air effect. If any extra air is required by the engine, it takes it from the gap behind the cowling, which is warmed engine room air. Along with all this I have installed a carb ice gauge with a probe right in the throat of the carb. This showed me that carb ice was not the problem, even with the front plate off. Since I made this modificationI have not had a single problem and power and R.P.M. are not affected. The first coupe I had, had the same problem, only worse, until I installed the restrictor plate,then the problem was gone, until I sold it and the inspecting mechanic took the plate off and nearly dumped the plane on the runway, fortunately he pulled the carb heat and saved the day. Now I run a standard main jet, but feel a slightly oversize one would still be an improvement. I know all this stuff may sound like hearesey to all you die hards, but it worked for me not once, but twice. A while back I asked if other coupers had experienced loss of power in flight. I got 6 or 8 people who said they had the same problem, but didn't think it was carb ice because it was instant. Most said that carb heat brought power back immediatly. I also know this is not an acceptable fix for those who are forced to comply with the rules that are written in the Bible of coupe maintenance. Being on the new Canadaian "Owner Maintenance", I can do this mod and be responsible for my own actions, which I really like. This should stir up all the old timers who say, "I've flown my coupe for 30 years, and it never quit." Well mine did and so do a lot of other coupes . Think about it! Jon Page FLAK MAGNET. 415-C. ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Sid.bAhN69 Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
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