Took a 25 minute flight from KJNX to KTTA to show a good friend that I had a well running airplane.   Everything was running perfect, and I was really feeling good about it all. Then two miles out, she started back firing. A few seconds later, it was a rhythmic pop in the exhaust, about once per second. I radioed that I was having engine problems and would be landing against the traffic.   Pointed the nose at 21 in a descending turn, and she quit as I was lining up. A short glide to a normal engine out landing, and I was able to coast most of the way to a parking space.
Got a taxi back to KJNX so that I could drive back with tools.  The plugs all looked good, if not indicative of running extra rich.  But when I pulled the valve cover, number two's exhaust rocker arm was cocked sideways, and the push rod was bent about 30 degrees where it exits the guide.  How does this even happen after 20 flight hours? Can I expect this to ever happen again?  Is there a way to prevent the rocker arms from rocking side to side?

Views: 1954

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

You have to zoom in to the picture to see how the rod is bent at the bottom of the rocker arm.

Sorry to hear about your pucker situation,but if you want feedback input , it would be helpful to know what engine you are talking about and specifications.

Well, I did post this in the Corvair forum.  Would it being a 3100cc vs 2700cc make a difference in a rod getting bent?

You don't seem to have valve rotators in your exhaust valves. Who did your cylinder heads job?

I bought the engine second hand.  I can't find any references to Corvairs using rotators.

Almost all Corvair fly engines have exhaust valve rotators. Go to flycorvair.net and search for "rotators", you'll see plenty of references, including the video bellow;

youtube.com/watch?v=zFTQdu2XBPY

I'll second Dave suggestion to call WW or DW, (does not mean to shut down this conversation). I see another issues in your picture, the top of the push-rods tubes seems to stand out more than normal, compare yours to the video, if that the case, it could be the root of your problem.

Just noticed you are already in contact with DW in CorvAircraft. Just make sure, if you haven't already, that he sees the pictures of your head above.

Hi Ernest,

Congrats on your piloting skills in getting yourself and your passenger safely on the ground. I would highly recommend you give William Wynne a call at 904.806.8143. He's openly invited that Corvair builders call or text him as needed. He'd be most qualified to help you diagnose what happened with the rocker arm and push rod. Otherwise, you might receive some less helpful advice from us arm chair experts who may or may not have Corvair experience.

Regards,

Dave

A forum is a place for "arm chair experts", and I've seen Wynne be wrong about enough stuff to consider him just another "arm chair expert".  Please don't try to shut down our conversation if you don't have anything to offer.

Ernest, wasn’t trying to shut down the conversation at all .. merely offering my own arm chair advice as I had built my own Corvair and have been flying it for over 500 hours. Good luck and hope you resolve your engine problem.

Regards,

Dave

Update:  I suffered the heat to work on her out on the ramp today.  When I pulled the rocker arm, the push rod was in two pieces.  I'll try to get a good picture of what I think looks like metal fatigue.  I was probably a defective push rod that just took 20hrs to fail.

RSS

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
 

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...


Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith
:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.


Zenith Homecoming Tee:


Zenair Floats


Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz


Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

West Coast USA:

 
Pro Builder Assistance:

 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.

© 2024   Created by Zenith.Aero.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service