Engine Failure

[chuckad]

I had an engine failure on takeoff roll the other day. Just before liftoff. Pulled off to the side of our grass runway and tried to prop it again. It started twice only to die after just a few seconds. Pulled it back to the hangar where my mechanic was working on another plane. We could not find a cause for what would appear to be fuel starvation issue. Checked all the screens for contamination. No water or contaminates were found. Next step is taking the carburetor off and checking for something wrong with it. It is such a basic system so it is hard to figure it out. I started it the next day and did 4 high speed runs down the runway with no problems. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I hate mysteries with this issue. Blows my confidence in the engine. Total time on engine is 580 hours. It ran great yesterday. Continental 65HP engine.
Since this happened we have decided to pull the carburetor for bench testing, pulling the exhaust for rebuild and changing the gascolator to a newer version. Also draining the gas and replacing.

[crispy critter]

Re: Engine Failure

Check your line going from the gascolator to the carb, they are bad to collapse internally with some age, especially where it runs so close to the exhaust. Next check your primer o-rings, primer lines, and primer line fittings very closely. Especially the one at the intake. Also pay close attention to the primer lines where the touch anything or go thru the firewall. Other then that, sounds like your taking all the other steps in good order.

[M Towsley]

Re: Engine Failure

I believe what Kevin is suggesting is to make sure you aren't pulling fuel through the primer or air through the fittings. Make sure the primer plunger is fully closed and locked. (I left mine cracked open once and though it ran it was very rich and rough running).

[Marv]

Re: Engine Failure

Could it have been carburetor ice?

[N96337]

Re: Engine Failure

X2 to what Kevin is saying. I've seen lots of lines develop a flap or squeeze off internally...especially with car gas.
John

[Guest]

Re: Engine Failure

Isn't there an AD on that specific item? (ie. the fuel hose)

Or is my memory corrupted?

Dave

[Guest]

Re: Engine Failure

AD 47-13-02 is related

[Randy]

Re: Engine Failure

Ditto on the fuel lines.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Engine Failure

Could it have been carburetor ice?

I had just that yesterday late afternoon. Very humid and unseasonably warm. The hangars all had wet floors after a coolish night and damp warm day. Taxied out with carb heat cold (I forgot) and when I got to the apron, she quit on me. She would fire on one pot and then stop. No amount of huffing & puffing would get it going before dark, so with a pal we pushed her back to the hangar.

This morning it started first swing and flew fine..

Rob

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Engine Failure

Sudden quiet was also the symptom of the stuck neoprene needle. Does anyone have one of this anymore??

[Guest]

Re: Engine Failure

Sudden quiet was also the symptom of the stuck neoprene needle. Does anyone have one of this anymore??

Hi Mark,

Yes, I do.

I could not get the steel needle to seat and stop leaking so I used a neoprene needle.

That was a long time ago I think it has been in since 1987.

No issues at all, at least so far.

Dave

[stearman3]

Re: Engine Failure

This is the kind of stuff that shrinks hemoroids without pain or surgery..................

[LostnSpace]

Re: Engine Failure

AD 47-13-02 is related

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. ; AD 47-13-02][R25H]
Taylorcraft
AD 47-13-02
ATA Code: 28
Recurring: 25H
Airworthiness Directives; Taylorcraft Models BC-65, BCS-65, BC12-65, BCS12-65, BC12-D,
BCS12-D, BCS12-D1 Aircraft.
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
47-13-02 TAYLORCRAFT:
(Was
Service Note 1
of
AD-696-3
.)
Applies to Models BC-65, BCS-65, BC12-65, BCS12-65, BC12-D, BCS12-D, BCS12-D1
Aircraft.
Inspection required
each 25 hours of engine operation
.
This inspection applies only to fuel hose bearing white dash lines and having end fittings
marked “CAA, SNA (date)”

It doesn't have this type hose or fittings, Tom

[Garry Crookham]

Re: Engine Failure

Sudden quiet was also the symptom of the stuck neoprene needle. Does anyone have one of this anymore??

Lots of good info here on needles: http://thestrombergspecialist.com/in...g-carb-problem

[Guest]

Re: Engine Failure

Lots of good info here on needles: http://thestrombergspecialist.com/in...g-carb-problem

That is a good article. Thanks Garry.