Fumes In Cockpit

[N96337]

Re: Fumes In Cockpit

Looks to me like there's plenty of places for the exhaust gasses to get in the cabin. Get those fairings around the gear legs fitting better...especialy the left one..that airflow is swirling around the fuselage as well as flowing back. The gear leg openings could use some sealing up as well from the looks of it. As Pearson mentioned, the area around the bungies and aft as well as forward of them is most likely pretty open. All it takes is some time and attention to detail and thinking about where the airflow is going, and you'll get it tightened up. As John mentioned, any openings on the belly and aft fuselage are going to pull fumes in. I also agree with him in extending the exhaust stack just a bit...it shouldn't take more than an inch or so. I've had customers that complained about stuff like this and then looked at me like I was nuts when I started talking about gear fairings, boot cowl seals, etc... but when I finally got them to let me correct the stuff I told them, it worked.
JH

[Robert Lees]

Re: Fumes In Cockpit

I'm sorry guys, I disagree with the last few posts.

The exhaust system of all Taylorcraft is designed to take the fumes away from the cabin. If fumes are getting in the cabin, there is a fault with the exhaust, and therefore the manifold is at fault. Get your maintenance/inspection persons to take a look.

Exhaust gases are KILLERS.

Get the exhaust manifold tested properly.

Rob

[Edit: I've added a link here to a fatal accident report on CO poisoning. Read and learn, please]

[Jim Doody]

Re: Fumes In Cockpit

http://www.aeromedix.com/product-exe...oxide_Detector A little pricey @ $139.00 and yes I have one. Jim

[dennispip]

Re: Fumes In Cockpit

If anyone missed the post by Rob Lees, please read it again. Don't bother with plugging up the leaks where the CO (carbon monoxide) is getting in. Plug up the leaks where the CO is getting out of the exhaust system!!! Your problem is the leakage of deadly exhaust fumes and CO out of the exhaust system before it exits the tip of the exhaust pipe. Those planes did not leave the factory with CO getting into the cabin so the exhaust tip should be long enough if it is standard length.

CO is deadly. There is no odor to pure CO. It will affect your judgment and your ability to think straight and fly properly. You will become tired, confused, and then unconscious if the level builds up too high in your blood. It binds very strongly to your hemoglobin and stays there for hours blocking the sites where oxygen is normally carried. The longer you are exposed, the higher your levels become. Again...it takes a long time to get the CO off those oxygen carrying sites and if the sites are blocked, even supplemental oxygen doesn't do much to help because it can't hook onto the Hemoglobin molecule. There is no medicine to clear the sites of the CO.

You may not lose consciousness but still be injured severely or fatally from the effects it has on your ability to fly the plane due to lack of oxygen carrying capacity in your blood.

If you know your plane is poisoning you, ground it until it is fixed. CO is not a devil you want to dance with.

[Guest]

Re: Fumes In Cockpit

I have to "third" Robert's comments.

I recall having a B model with no bungee fairing and no gear fairings and NO exhaust "smells" or problems.

The stack may be too short or you have crack or hole in the exhaust.

Dave

[blakecarl]

Re: Fumes In Cockpit

I finally had an opportunity to drop the exhaust stack. I’ve attached pictures of what I found. Unfortunately, there has been erosion of the ports on three of the cylinders. It will most likely need resurfacing to properly address the problem. I have found two specialty tools available for rent that can resurface the ports, but the companies that have these are not able to tell me if they will work on an A65 cylinder. Links to the tools I found are http://www.widell.com/pneuport.htm and http://www.hangartoolbox.com/Instruc...rtGrinder.aspx. Does anyone know if either of these tools or another similar tool or procedure would work to resurface the exhaust flange on an A65 cylinder?

[Pearson]

Re: Fumes In Cockpit

I have never used either of the tools the links took me to. I have pulled a few cylinders in my time. And I can say that on the Taylorcraft, if you have the exhaust system dropped down, you are well on your way to having the cylinders off. Of course I am not saying that it is easy from there on out. But my opinion is that dropping the exhaust is a major/hardest part of getting the cylinders off.

If you can't get one of those tools to resurface the exhaust ports on your cylinders, don't be bashful about going ahead and pulling the cylinders to make sure you get it done right. For the amount of hassle it is dropping the exhaust, you don't want to have to do it twice. There is also the added benefit of a thorough inspection of the cylinders. With as bad as your exhaust was leaking, there may be some chance of cracked cylinders.

[NY86]

Re: Fumes In Cockpit

I have used something that looks like the second one on C-series cylinders, so I expect it would work on the A-series as well. You have to pull the studs out though...

Don't know about the first one.

[jim cooper]

Re: Fumes In Cockpit

I vote for Dennis Pip! I installed a CHROME exhaust extension on my pipe, drilled screwed and safety wired (so it doesnt drop into an open convertible) it looks great and I'm very pleased with it! On the 195 Cessna I owned, half the engine acessories were from NAPA, Voltage regulator, Generator, etc. I think its mainly from exhaust leaks. Its VERY worrisome and not to be ignored!You may view my" stack" on taylorcraft photos N95916 picture taken last summer at Mayville N.Y. Plane is red white and blue. Rebuilt by Russ Hardy of Amhurst N.Y., Near Buffalo, finished last summer.JC

[magman]

Re: Fumes In Cockpit

Anyone considering adding exhaust extensions should ALSO increase the frequency of inspecting the exhaust system. The added weight & length can ( and DOES) cause added stress to components preceding it.
I've had the "can" & pipe junction break out on Ercoupes & C-172's due to this.

Ron