My Comanche engine died today
Posted: 11 Mar 2018, 11:33
Hi guys,
today I wanted to go for a nice flight with my Comanche over Germany. Just a quick sightseeing trip to the Zugspitze and then for a nice coffee to the Lake of Constance.
So I did my pre-flight check and everything looked fine. Enough oil and fuel and the last 50h check was only 16h before. I hopped in the cockpit and started the engine. It fire up immediately. Checked the oil pressure, fine. After a brief warm up I taxied to the run-up area. When I got there the engine was not quite warm enough for the run-up check so I let her idle at 800rpm while I was doing my takeoff briefing and looked at the planned route. The big flat six was purring like a kitten when I suddenly noticed a drop in rpm of maybe 50-100 rounds. I had the mixture leaned out to avoid spark plug fouling and it was a nice and rather dry day. So I was surprised at the rpm drop since I didn't expect any icing or fouling. So I checked the engine instruments and the oil pressure gauge read dead nothing Shock! I immediately pulled the mixture and turned off the magnetos.
The plane needed to be towed back to the hangar. The mechanic then told me that the crankshaft bearings were shot and the compression was down to the high 50s low 60s on all six cylinders. Basically a dead engine. It looks like the oil pump failed since there were still 9 quarts of oil in the engine and the oil pump was reported as a failed part by my mechanic too. So with all the damage on the engine I decided it was time for a complete overhaul.
I guess it was lucky that the oil pump failed on the ground and not during the takeoff run since there would not have been many options on a only 1600ft long runway with a seized engine.
Anyways I just thought I'd share my experience with you guys. Gotta love Accusim for keeping you on your toes!
Back to flying though since I have a new engine to break in
PS: I hope the next engine lasts a bit longer than 816h (not all put on by me).
today I wanted to go for a nice flight with my Comanche over Germany. Just a quick sightseeing trip to the Zugspitze and then for a nice coffee to the Lake of Constance.
So I did my pre-flight check and everything looked fine. Enough oil and fuel and the last 50h check was only 16h before. I hopped in the cockpit and started the engine. It fire up immediately. Checked the oil pressure, fine. After a brief warm up I taxied to the run-up area. When I got there the engine was not quite warm enough for the run-up check so I let her idle at 800rpm while I was doing my takeoff briefing and looked at the planned route. The big flat six was purring like a kitten when I suddenly noticed a drop in rpm of maybe 50-100 rounds. I had the mixture leaned out to avoid spark plug fouling and it was a nice and rather dry day. So I was surprised at the rpm drop since I didn't expect any icing or fouling. So I checked the engine instruments and the oil pressure gauge read dead nothing Shock! I immediately pulled the mixture and turned off the magnetos.
The plane needed to be towed back to the hangar. The mechanic then told me that the crankshaft bearings were shot and the compression was down to the high 50s low 60s on all six cylinders. Basically a dead engine. It looks like the oil pump failed since there were still 9 quarts of oil in the engine and the oil pump was reported as a failed part by my mechanic too. So with all the damage on the engine I decided it was time for a complete overhaul.
I guess it was lucky that the oil pump failed on the ground and not during the takeoff run since there would not have been many options on a only 1600ft long runway with a seized engine.
Anyways I just thought I'd share my experience with you guys. Gotta love Accusim for keeping you on your toes!
Back to flying though since I have a new engine to break in
PS: I hope the next engine lasts a bit longer than 816h (not all put on by me).