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  #1  
Old 12-18-2011, 05:04 PM
PensacolaPilot PensacolaPilot is offline
 
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Default RV-6A rubber smell on landing

I am relatively new to flying RV6 A's and notice a strong rubber smell whenever I land. This smell seems stronger when I use flaps, and dissipates right after I land. (No, I don't land excessively fast.) I first suspected the main gear fairings rubbing against the main tires but after increasing the space between the fairings and tire the problem persists. Any ideas?
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  #2  
Old 12-18-2011, 05:12 PM
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I would check the flap motor.

First thought was tires rubbing but you already checked.
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  #3  
Old 12-18-2011, 05:12 PM
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You mentioned main gear did you check the nosey? Brake pads maybe?
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  #4  
Old 12-18-2011, 06:16 PM
gerrychuck gerrychuck is offline
 
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I am also quite new to the 6A, and I've noticed the same thing, pretty much every landing. Found it kind of curious myself.
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  #5  
Old 12-18-2011, 08:15 PM
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billnaz billnaz is offline
 
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Default two posibilities

When I switched from originals to new goodyear flight customs I had to modify my fairings to make room. You said you've done that, but I'd varify that you dont have a transient rub still (with landing deformations). Another posibility is that you're just getting the smoke from that landing "chirp" migrating up through the fairings. Is there direct communication to the cockpit?
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  #6  
Old 12-18-2011, 08:26 PM
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AlexPeterson AlexPeterson is offline
 
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Location: Maple Grove, MN
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I get a fair bit of what seems to be tire dust going up the gear legs, and out from the upper gear fairing on my 6A. I sealed where the gear leg itself goes into the fuselage, but perhaps if I hadn't sealed it, I'd smell burning rubber also. Seems to be air flow upwards in the gear fairings. Try sealing where the gear goes through the fuse belly (actually it is the gear mount).
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  #7  
Old 12-18-2011, 08:44 PM
Mike Macon Mike Macon is offline
 
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Location: Sisters, OR
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Default Burning Rubber

The same thing happened to me when I first bought my 6A. I trained in "Old Blue" with Mike Seager and do not remember the smell but when I flew with Mike in my plane it happened on almost every landing. My theory is it happens with all planes when your tires go from 0 to 60 MPH very quickly. The difference is the set up of the plane as to whether the smell will enter the cockpit. The landing will also increase or decrease the chances of the odor. After 7+ years and 700+ hours I seldom get the smell anymore but I can usually tell by my landing if it is going to happen. I figure it's the tires' way of rating my landing.
Note: I do not know if this has anything to do with it but I am flying with the old style wheel pants and have had some rubbing on the inside top of the pants.
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Last edited by Mike Macon : 12-18-2011 at 08:57 PM.
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  #8  
Old 12-19-2011, 06:56 AM
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DanH DanH is offline
 
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I get a bad smell in the cockpit after some of my landings, but it's not rubber....
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  #9  
Old 12-19-2011, 07:28 AM
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Snowflake Snowflake is offline
 
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Is it possible that you don't have your feet low enough on the pedals to start with and you're getting some brake action along with your rudder inputs? That might explain some extra chirping and rubber wear.
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  #10  
Old 12-19-2011, 07:44 AM
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Jeff Vaughan Jeff Vaughan is offline
 
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I had the same issue and solved it with RTV. Seal up the opening where the gear leg goes into the fuse. The smell will go away. The fairings act as a chimney allowing the tire smell to waft up into the cockpit. Seal it and it will stop.
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