EA81 questions

[Rando]

I am flying a Dominator with an EA81, Autoflight reduction drive. My question is what should the normal idle rpm, cruise rpm and max rpm be? Also, what is normal operating temperature and max operating temperature?

How is the dip stick housing attached to the engine block? Is it just a tight fit with "O" rings used to hold it tight and keep it from leaking? The reason I am asking is I noticed a few drops of oil around the area where it fits in the engine block and I noticed steaks of oil on my prop. Don't know where else the oil on the prop came from.

Any specs on the 100 hp Subaru import would be appreciated. I guess these were never sold in the states and only available by direct purchase.

[david holmes]

Randy,
Safety wire that dip stick housing to something!!!!
Then push the dip stick in tight and secure with a plastic tie to be snug. I've lost a quart of oil in a 15 minute flight because of loose dipstick. This will cost you a plastic tie everytime you check the oil but keep one handy.

I put a small screw into a hole between the block and the dipstick housing and screwed it down tight so the screw head would keep the O ring snug. After all this the oil weeping stopped. Use locktite on the screw.

I've was running my EA-81 direct but I'm trying to figure out how to put a new Parham redrive on it with a new 72" Prince prop. Can't figure out the leg pieces. I've had them here with new 25' DW blades and slider head and nose wheel for over a year.

[jos]

HELLO,


Normal cruise rpm between 4000 and 4500 rpm. Depends on max horsepower.
Max rpm if standard cylinderheads 5200 rpm.
Idle rpm as low as possible but without vibrations.
Watertemp around 85 celsius. Do not exceed 110 celsius for test on the ground with covered radiator.
The dipstick pipe sometimes leaks. Take the pipe out the engine bloc ,clean it as well as the hole in the bloc and put it back in with some locktite. There are no seals nor O rings.

JOS

[mceagle]

"Any specs on the 100 hp Subaru import would be appreciated. I guess these were never sold in the states and only available by direct purchase."

Do you mean the twin carb model?

[Rando]

Yes, the twin carb one.

[Rando]

Early this evening I decided to go flying. After 10 minutes the "idiot" light on my EIS started flashing. My water temperature was rapidly increasing! I headed back to the airport and landing. Total flight time was 18 minutes. The EIS was indicating over 300 degrees F.!!!!!!!!

Should the coolant level be right up to the cap? It was down but not far. The belt for the water pump looked fine. Nothing was leaking out anywhere. I flew last Sunday for 30 minutes with no problems.

Any help would be appreciated. Does anyone know if normal operating temp. for the EA81 is 185 F and max 230 F?

The other help I need is with the EIS. It did not come with a manual. I need to know how to check the min and max settings and how to change them. Is it possible to see what the max temperature it recorded today? Does it save the data? Ernie said everything was pre-set and only worry about it if the light comes on. Well I guess I will have to call Ernie tomorrow and see if he has any ideas.

What a bummer, it was just perfect for flying today!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[MMorgan]

My EA-81 now runs 185-190 with the new radiator. It will climb a little higher sometimes if I'm "hotdogging." Mine is direct drive, 3500rpm max.

Check the cap and make sure you're not losing pressure. The coolant level needs to be completely full. You don't want any air in the system. If it keeps dropping an inch or two you have a problem somewhere.

[Rando]

Thanks Mike, I also need to hook up a coolant overflow bottle. I plan on using a bicyle water bottle, unless someone has a better idea that worked well for them?

The problem you mentioned is exactly what Ernie told me happened. Coolant was below the sensor.

[Rando]

I would like some input from anyone else using and EA81. This is how my EIS is set up for the EA81. Anyone have any better settings or are these fine?

Oil Press. max 100 min 20
Oil Temp. max 280
Max RPM 5520
Volt max 15.6 min 12.0
Coolant max 208
EGT max 1500
CHT max 300

[Rando]

How about a normal and max CHT? Anyone?

[Rando]

Today I had a nice relaxing 45 minute flight. I was monitoring the CHT and EGT and observed 261 and 1379 respectively. I am looking for anyone else flying an EA81 for comparison? Cruise RPM was 4650. Is the CHT and EGT normal or above normal?

[Rando]

Today I observed a very minor oil leak coming from the oil pan. Must be a leak around the gasket. Any ideas on the best way to fix it? Anyone have a torque value for the oil pan bolts for an EA81?

[GyroRon]

Try to tighten the oil pans bolts just a little to see if that stops the leak.

Are you sure your cruise RPM is what you posted above??? Doesn't sound possible. If that is what your reading, then I think your instrument is not reading properly.

[Rando]

Oops! It should have said 4650. Thanks Ron, at least someone is reading my posts!

[GyroRon]

I also think your CHT and EGT temps sound right, but I am not the expert in that field. I would be more concerned about water temp, oil pressure and oil temp.

Yes I read all of your posts. :)

[CLS447]

Randy, I have a prob with my oil pan gasket also. I am going to change the oil before ROC, I will also be using a new pan gasket. I tightened the pan but it just squeezed the gasket out more & actually split it in the front. Instead of silicone I will be using the red High Tack spray from Permatex . A little silicone on the bolt threads & tighten gently. You can always tighten it more later, but now mine is overtightened & ruined.

I wished I could get a light aluminum pan somewhere. Also aluminum rocker covers would be nice!