Hi Darick,
I recently saw a coupe fly that had been "in restoration" some 22+
years. Just beforehand it had received a "major" field overhaul, and
the crank was turned. Even with the most careful replacement (twice)
with "fresh" and soft seals, a leak exists that may well require engine
disassembly and machining of the crank AGAIN! In the process of
replacement it became obvious that the machine shop that turned the
crank completely ignored concentric grooves worn into it (likely from
earlier front oil seals ignored long enough to retain grit blown into
them).
Another "up front" leak that really "gets around" is from a hole in the
side if the fuel pump. I seem to recall the purpose of that hole is to
alert the owner/pilot of diaphragm failure in the fuel pump. Also
check that the oil breather elbow is tight in the crankcase and there
is no hole in the breather hose up high (which will get amazing
distribution).
Regards,
WRB
--
On May 30, 2010, at 23:40, [email protected] wrote:
Group,
After I got the ECI Titan cylinders put on, I noticed a new oil leak.
After a flight I notice the inside top and left of the front cowling
is wet with oil. The is the area below the cylinder head air intake
hole. It seems the oil may be coming from somewhere at the front of
the engine, then blown only to the left side of the front cowling.
The small cover plate at the front of the engine, directly behind the
prop, which I think is the accessory port for a vacuum pump, is also
wet, but only at the back. You have to insert your hand and blindly
feel for this. There is no oil dripping or collecting at the four
studs holding this plate on. We have retightened these four nuts once
to be sure the gasket is making a good seal and used Parker
Stat-0-Seal and Thread Seals (commonly referred to as washer seals or
self sealing washers) to eliminate a leak path around these four
studs. The Stat-O-Seals and Thread Seals were not used initially,
only a white silicone type of sealant from a tube which was "smuched"
on during assembly. The Stat-O-Seals and Thread seals helped quite
bit and I thought the problem was solved, but it just took longer to
show itself.
A new seal was put on the prop shaft where it exits the engine case
when the new cylinders were installed.
Any ideas where the oil may be coming from? Should we still suspect
the gasket on the accessory plate or is there another common place for
an oil leak up front?
Thanks,
Darick
