bluesky

Episode 1.I had an episode where I loss power while crossing Bass Strait in my Pipistrel Virus SW with a fuel injected Rotax.

 

To correct the problem two components were replaced, the Key Box and the Fuse Box. All seemed well and the engine ran smoothly on the ground and initially in the air. I assumed that the aircraft was now serviceable and attempted to cross Bass Strait to return home.

 

Episode 2. (two weeks later)

 

Weather dictated an altitude of 2,200 ft to cross Bass Strait. I had been airborne for approximately 45 minutes and was 45 nm off shore when the engine suddenly seemed to labour and lost power. The revs had reduced from 5200 to 4500. and I noticed the Lane A light was flashing on and off.

 

The aircraft started losing height so I tried to increase power. I might add at this stage that failure of Lane A also causes loss of automatic control of the constant speed prop. I tried increasing RPM manually by changing the propeller pitch. It had no effect.

 

Next I increased the throttle in order to maintain altitude but instead of getting an increase in RPM the increased throttle setting resulted in a fall of rev to 4400. I then reduced the throttle setting and managed an RPM increase to 4600, sufficient to maintain an altitude of 1000 ft. and eventually, I was able to slowly climb to 2000 ft.

 

Voltage readings on both Lanes was 13.6 volts. Fuel pressure seemed extremely high (can't remember actual pressure) but I was unsure of what the reading should have been.

 

The EGT for the 4 cylinders were one and three in the green zone, albeit slightly lower that normal and two and four in the red zone marked by crosses (indicating the reading was not working and therefore, was inaccurate).

 

At this point I assumed that the engine was only operating an two cylinders.

 

I managed to get back to an airfield and land without further incident.

 

The engine log has been downloaded and I believe sent overseas by Bert Flood for analysis.

 

I now await a verdict as to the cause.

Bluesky, I have recently worked on a FOXBAT fitted with the fuel injection engine which suffered from symptoms similar the ones you describe. In this aircraft as the rpm passed approximately 4400 to 4700 Lane A & B voltage would start to drop -perhaps down to nine volts and RPM could not be increased until emergency battery power was switched into the circuit . Does your lane voltage do the same?. Also what fuel pressure are you reading? Check & clean your filter very thoroughly. M61A1 posts on fuel quality are also worth investigating. what type of aircraft is your engine fitted to?Our voltage problem was solved by the replacement of the fuse box/regulator which was diagnosed from the downloaded data obtained by the aircraft agent.

Have you looked at your fuel? A LAME acquaintance recently was telling me about an aircraft he was involved with that had an EFI automotive conversion. This aircraft had slowly been losing power, after much stuffing about, they changed the fuel for some fresh stuff, with great results. Apparently, as the fuel goes stale, the octane rating drops, with all the knock sensors and stuff, the engine simply de-rates itself to run on lower quality fuel, just doing what it was designed to do.

Have you looked at your fuel? A LAME acquaintance recently was telling me about an aircraft he was involved with that had an EFI automotive conversion. This aircraft had slowly been losing power, after much stuffing about, they changed the fuel for some fresh stuff, with great results. Apparently, as the fuel goes stale, the octane rating drops, with all the knock sensors and stuff, the engine simply de-rates itself to run on lower quality fuel, just doing what it was designed to do.

Thanks for the comments, yes it is the latest fuel injected motor

Thanks for your response. Ignition/fuel system divided into lane A lane B power loss first noticed on climb out from same runway under similar weather conditions and take off weight. Previously circuit altitude reached on crosswind with reduction in power required downwind to prevent over revving. First indications were in circuit where aircraft took to 25% downwind leg to reach circuit altitude and no throttle reduction required to prevent over revving of engine and continuing slight decline in performance up until now. engine diagnostics dongle information forwarded to Bert Flood with nothing to indicate any faults. fuel pumps replaced on advice from Floods with problem persisting. filters/plugs checked, leakdown test performed. Ignition modules exchanged, prop balance checked.

engine failing to develop full power lane b running slightly rough, diagnostics indicate engine functioning and running correctly. would seek advice as to any engineers in Australia with diagnostic expertise with this engine. Thanks

Thanks for the welcome!

Try Kev Walters' place near Lake Atkinson over Lowood way.

Thanks Dazza was looking for something to use when Amberley is inactive. Was living at Walloon and used to see a number of drifters and rans flying around the area on weekends not sure where they were from. the only other place I know that is close by is the disused strip at Willowbank. looking for somewhere close by to North Ipswich. Plan being to be able to fly from Roma and go home to Nth Ips once a month or so.

G'day bluesky, welcome along.Where about's do you fly from? what type of aircraft?

G'day bluesky, welcome along.Where about's do you fly from? what type of aircraft?

Welcome. Great wealth of knowledge and help on here.

Does anyone have any knowledge f any LSA strips around the Ipswich QLD area

new to the site and just looking around