Below is the essence of our exchange about the leaky regulator diaphram. I am getting a replacement diaphram (and paying the postage to do so). I had purchased another Rotec for my RV-4 project, so I had a spare regulator on hand, and have just installed it in the mean time. Pitts ran good again. Bottom line is I like the product when it works--when it works, it works well, but I have had some issues, and I don't care much for their customer service--the postage requirement and timeliness. YMMV......
Regarding the Ellison I had a about 8 years ago, at the time I didn't know what the problem was, only the symtoms, so I sent it to Ellison as they requested, and they fixed it right away. They said water had gotten into the diaphram area--nobody knows how. I think it was a leaky diaphram and it was fuel, but they fixed it and sent it back with no charge, and quite prompt service too as I recall.
My e-mail exchange with Rotec below:
Mon 9/16/2013 6:54 PM
Hi David,
It will take you 5mins to give that centre rivet a few extra taps and peen it over a little more. Then the issue will be solved. A much easier path.
But If you would like us to send you out a new diaphragm we will under warranty but the old diaphragm will need to be sent back. Shipping of the new parts is not covered under warranty and will need to be paid by yourself.
Kindest regards,
Paul Chernikeeff
Technical Director
From: David Magaw [mailto:davemagaw@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 17 September 2013 7:47 AM
To: 'Paul Chernikeeff';
RotecAdmin@bigpond.com
Subject: RE: Fuel in sense tube
Paul,
I have given this a lot of thought. I don’t believe that I should have to repair a defect in manufacturing such as this is, or have to make the tools to do it—or pay someone to do it for me. I think you should send me a diaphragm that is correctly assembled/made. There is a chance that I will mess up the fix or it won’t work for some reason or another—and as a customer, I don’t think I should have to make this type of a fix. Therefore I am requesting that you send to me a non-defective diaphragm, and I will install it.
By the way, this is the second defect that this TBI has had. The first was the idle circuit was not made properly and I had to send it back to you (and pay all the postage too). It now only has 30 hours on it, and another defect.
Thank you,
David Magaw
Sacramento, CA USA
From: Paul Chernikeeff [mailto
aul@rotecaerosport.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 1:47 AM
To: 'Dave Magaw';
RotecAdmin@bigpond.com
Subject: RE: Fuel in sense tube
HI Dave,
I have seen this before, its an assemble error. What is happening is the rivet that hold the support plate to the rubber diaphragm is not firm enough. The rivet need to be peened just a little more then the leak will stop, Its an easy fix.
Use compressed air to pop the top of the regulator off. Don’t pry the lid off, you will damage the surfaces and risk puncturing the diaphragm.
See attached how to peen the centre rivet more. You will need to drill a small hole is a peace of stock to support the small pip on the back side, see attached. [there were pictures attached to this e-mail showing what he described]
Kindest regards,
Paul Chernikeeff
Technical Director
From: Dave Magaw <davemagaw@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Aug 30, 2013 at 6:35 PM
Subject: Fuel in sense tube
To:
rotecengineering@bigpond.com
I have been noticing that I am getting fuel in the sense tube--in the yellow tube between the TBI (see installation picture attached) and the regulator. Also, the other day, the engine would not run right at full throttle (like for take-off), and sputtered at full throttle such that I aborted a take-off. It did the same when I tried full throttle again with static run-ups. When I pulled the tube off of the regulator, it drained some fuel, and when I pushed the button on the regulator, more fuel came out of the regulator. After draining this fuel, I was then able to make a flight with no problems on takeoff or in the flight, but more fuel was in the tube after that approximately 20 minute flight. I think that there is not supposed to be fuel in this tube or that side of the regulator. How is fuel getting in there and is this normal??
Dave Magaw
Pitts N55DP
Sacramento, CA, USA
Linear Mode
