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Contamination Advisory cont'd - July 23, 2004
Even though this was on the 4-stroke 912, carb fuel contamination can be
even more of a concern on a 2-stroke
when that fuel is also being used as a lubricant. Further to this the many different grades of fuel
and all the many different additives that your local fuel
station may be adding (some with your knowledge and some
without), is causing further fuel contamination problems
and issues. We cannot stress enough to know
where your gas is coming from, what is in the gas you are
using and how it has been stored. Next time you are at the
pumps filling up your car look at all the labels on the
pumps showing new and improved fuel injector cleaner, we
now use 20% of this and that is to help with a cleaner
environment BUT this is all great when you are on the
ground and running it in your car or truck but not so
great when you are flying in your 2 or 4 stroke airplane.
With
my carbs re-installed and cleaned and the fuel system
completely inspected I pushed the airplane out and did a
full power run-up off and on for about 5-10 minutes on each
tank. The engine once again ran like it did when it was new
without one bit of hesitation. So last night I had the
opportunity to fly my Chinook 912 with the 1260 Full Lotus
floats and the ASAP retract system. The outside air temp was
98 degrees, HOT, HOT HOT but after getting off the hot
pavement and retracting the wheels and being able to land
and take off anywhere on our big Okanagan Lake, was just way
to cool!!
SUMMARY:
Without
spending the time to go through the complete fuel system
and if after my initial run-up on the first tank I had
decided to go flying, things could have been a lot
different. Without a proper and good ground run-up on both
tanks I could have easily taken off and exhausted the fuel
in the first tank and then switched over to the second
tank which more than likely would have resulted in an
engine out. So it is imperative to take the time to go
over your airplane before each and every flight and more
so when it has been stored for a long period of time.
Some
other helpful hints:
-
If
pre-mixing, only premix enough gas as for your immediate
needs. Gas that sits for longer than 10 days will go stale
causing greatly reduced engine performance and gumming and
varnishing of engine components and fuel components.
- Always
drain carburetor and fuel lines if the aircraft is going
to sit for an extended period of time
-If
your airplane is stored outdoors always drain your fuel or
check for water contamination
- If
moving your airplane from a hot (heated storage)into a cold environment and back into the heated
storage, check
for condensation in your fuel tanks.
- If
your airplane is stored outside UV can degrade the fuel in
either your fuel tanks or your fuel storage cans, this can
happen within a 2 week period, only use fresh clean fuel.
- Octane
rating is degraded with time and UV contact.
- When
using the dual Fuel strut tanks do not completely exhaust
all the fuel from one tank before switching over to the
other.
- Do
not use gasoline with any alcohol additive of any kind.
- Buy
and use the best possible gas you can get in your area.
- Fly
Safe!!!
| Fuel
contamination is the leading cause of engine outs.
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