GyroRon
Former Gyro know it all
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2003
- Messages
- 16,888
- Location
- Fort Mill South Carolina
- Aircraft
- Vans RV4 / Dominator 582 Ultrawhite
- Total Flight Time
- ALOT
Yesterday, ultracruiser and another pilot at our field and myself were up flying.... the other pilot was flying his X air ultralight plane with a 582. everything was going good when he noticed a slight drop of rpm and then seconds later the engine just locked up. Luckily he had a nice field right under him and he made a perfect landing. Barry and he retrieved the plane last night back to our airport and today I had a look at it.
The prop would only turn a few degrees in either direction. giving a once over and noticed on the underside of the engine, under the crankthrow for the front PTO cylinder, a nice hole in the bottom of the case. Took alot of force but finally got it to turn through enough to get the piston down below the exhaust port.
Upon inspection, the piston is missing the top ring. The top of the piston looks like it was blasted with a .410 shotgun, and then the bearings in the crank end of the connecting rod look trashed ( which is what I believe is jamming the engine up and keeping it from turning freely. Didn't take anything apart other than pulling the carbs and the exhaust. Rotary valve still rotates and appears to be in time..... I have no idea what broke. This engine only has a little over 200 hours and was running OIL INJECTION....... :der:
Inside of the engine looked like it wasn't all that oily, very little on the piston and the cylinders.... alot less than I usually see.
Anyway, now he is debating on what to do.... rebuild the current engine, buy a new engine, or possibly buy a used or " rebuilt " engine second hand. He is leaning heavy towards just a new engine minus carbs and gearbox and exhaust.
I am surprised, Rotax engines are pretty solid. Not sure why it failed. But something went wrong to blast a hole in the bottom of the crankcase and how in the heck does a ring go missing off the piston?????????
The prop would only turn a few degrees in either direction. giving a once over and noticed on the underside of the engine, under the crankthrow for the front PTO cylinder, a nice hole in the bottom of the case. Took alot of force but finally got it to turn through enough to get the piston down below the exhaust port.
Upon inspection, the piston is missing the top ring. The top of the piston looks like it was blasted with a .410 shotgun, and then the bearings in the crank end of the connecting rod look trashed ( which is what I believe is jamming the engine up and keeping it from turning freely. Didn't take anything apart other than pulling the carbs and the exhaust. Rotary valve still rotates and appears to be in time..... I have no idea what broke. This engine only has a little over 200 hours and was running OIL INJECTION....... :der:
Inside of the engine looked like it wasn't all that oily, very little on the piston and the cylinders.... alot less than I usually see.
Anyway, now he is debating on what to do.... rebuild the current engine, buy a new engine, or possibly buy a used or " rebuilt " engine second hand. He is leaning heavy towards just a new engine minus carbs and gearbox and exhaust.
I am surprised, Rotax engines are pretty solid. Not sure why it failed. But something went wrong to blast a hole in the bottom of the crankcase and how in the heck does a ring go missing off the piston?????????