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  • Re: 582 high engine temp

    by » 12 years ago


    Hi Mike
    This is what I suspected from the first report of lost RPM. I take this moment to stress the importance of regular wooden prop maintenance, in particular ground adjustable wooden propellers.
    The simplest step to take is to order a new prop. The safe option would be to send your prop back to GSC for their diagnosis and repair. Once the wooden fibers have been compressed and or broken I don't believe that shimming the root ends is acceptable. Take this with a grain of salt, I have seen some shop wizards that could return these components to better than new.
    If your hub should shed a blade while in flight you will probably not survive
    Lots of fellows here fly behind GSC wooden props, the high hour guys that spend a lot of time in the back country all use one piece 2 blade. However when they order new props they order 2 or 3 at a time.
    The danger of improperly torqued prop bolts is not only the obvious problem with the prop but also the bolts themselves which are susceptable to failure. Do not re-use these bolts.
    Stay safe and keep learning.
    Dennis

    Thank you said by: Michael Regan

  • Re: 582 high engine temp

    by » 12 years ago


    I will take both advice... bind the root ends and use the plane until I can receive new ones. I am surprised though that the total hours on the prop is the same as the aircraft...only 235 hours. I suppose the only explanation could be bad installation.

    Thanks again guys.... m,ike

  • Re: 582 high engine temp

    by » 12 years ago


    Hi Mike
    I would hesitate to fault the installation, I would suspect lack of maintanance. I will cut and paste a note from GSC that might help.
    Dennis

    ATTENTION: All owners of the GSC ground adjustable hardwood propellers, we, the manufacturer of the GSC propeller are imposing a TBO time on all our wooden ground adjustable propellers of either 5 years or 500 hours, whichever comes first.
    We recommend that when this time has been reached, your propeller be returned to our factory for airworthiness inspection. Please contact our warehouse to get necessary information on shipping method required to return goods to us.

    GSC SYSTEMS
    6255 OKANAGAN LANDING ROAD
    VERNON, BC VIH IMS CANADA
    (250) 549-3772 PH
    (250) 549-3769 FAX

    OPERATING TIPS

    ATTENTION: THESE TIPS MUST BE READ BEFORE OPERATION YOUR GSC PROPELLER

    Ensure that installation instructions are followed precisely and that prop
    attachment bolts are not torqued more than 100 in/lbs and a visible gap
    between hub halves is necessary.

    1. An initial visual inspection for cracks, nicks or any missing finish on the prop
    and subsequent inspections before each flight are recommended.

    2. On an annual basis or every 50 hours, inspect and check propeller attaching
    bolts for tightness as well check that tracking and pitch are being maintained.

    3. Do not use the propeller as a tow-bar to move your aircraft.

    4. Avoid running-up in areas containing loose stones and gravel.

    5. Place the propeller in a horizontal position when stored for lengthy periods.
    Propellers should be rotated periodically when parked.

    6. If your wooden propeller is stored in the elements, it is advisable that a
    propeller sock be used. These socks should be a material that is both
    waterproof not allowing rain to enter but breathable, not causing moisture to
    be trapped under the sock.

    7. GSC Propellers - TBO To maintain a like-new appearance, your propeller can be waxed periodically with an automotive wax. Clean prop first with a mild soapy solution.

    8. Assume that your propeller is non-airworthy after any kind of impact until it
    has been inspected by qualified personnel.

    9. If your propeller begins to show any of the following damage, it should be
    retired from service:

    A deep cut across the wood grain
    A long, wide or deep crack parallel to the grain
    A separated lamination
    An appreciable warp (discovered by inspection or through rough operation
    An appreciable portion of wood missing
    Obvious damage or wear beyond economical repair
    A de-lamination of the leading edge protection

    10. We hope that you have had a chance to go over all these stops and we encourage
    you to follow these instructions sinfully as well as the assembly instructions to get
    the best service from your GSC Systems propeller.

    VERY IMPORTANT: If you are planning on selling your GSC prop, please
    insure that operating tips and installation instructions accompany the prop. If
    you are not the original owner of this prop, please contact the original owner
    and check to see if operating tips and installation instructions were followed.

    Thank you said by: Michael Regan

  • Re: 582 high engine temp

    by » 12 years ago


    Thanks for the info Denis.

    Have since been in touch with Rick from GSC and through the root numbers he determined the prop is 14 years old, even if only 250 hours use, is still too long.

    Yesterday I adjusted the all prop pitch blades more finer to... 16 deg ate the 75% mark which translated to 12 deg at the tip. This gave over 7000 RPM plus (wasn't game to go any higher).

    The engine water temp got to 180 deg pretty quick, but I am hoping that wont happen in WOT climb. I only twisted each blade 1/8" at the hub so I am guessing about midway between (1/16") should do it. I will do that today.

    Looks like some light at the end of the tunnel at last. Won't say anymore just yet hehe.

    Mike

  • Re: 582 high engine temp

    by » 12 years ago


    Hi Mike
    It takes fine adjustments to hit the sweet spot. I would start at 19 degrees with the guage mounted at the same location as it was when it read 20, 20 & 21. Make sure that you check the tracking and tip length after your adjustments. Because the propellor was in use without the blades clamped securely I am very concerned that the seated length of the blades may vary. This would be an indicator of a severe problem.
    If the blades track properly and the tip length does not vary than continue adjusting the pitch until you see 6250 static. You will probably need to tweak it a bit more as the important number is the climbout RPM. This should be as close to 6500 as you can get it.
    Do not continue to run the engine at your 7000 rpm static setting, it will probably not develop enough thrust for a successful takeoff. A two cycle engine is not very forgiving if you do not operate it within the designed power band. Click on the engine manual icon and look up the performance graphs, in particular the torque and horsepower curves. This will help explain why the pitch setting is critical for good performance.

    Dennis

    Thank you said by: Michael Regan

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