SkyTec Starter -- Working loose - Page 3

donaziza · #21 08-09-2016, 03:08 PM

I started a thread on this exact subject, Feb. 2015. There are some 3 pages of answers. Click on my avatar, go to threads created by donaziza, scroll down to the 7th thread, "Fretting on a sky tec starter"

gasman · #22 08-09-2016, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donaziza

I started a thread on this exact subject, Feb. 2015. There are some 3 pages of answers. Click on my avatar, go to threads created by donaziza, scroll down to the 7th thread, "Fretting on a sky tec starter"

Here it is....... http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?t=122698

tim2542 · #23 12-02-2016, 10:00 PM

I have had to send my Skytec 149 in for repair for loose threads and /or coming apart 3 times. I had heard they had effected a fix for this and today I noticed for the first time that the new unit they sent me last has a design change. The old design used long screws that passed through 3 sections of the starter. My new one uses short screws that thread into the center section to attach the end cap to the center section, and I assume 2 more short screws threaded in from the other end.
I hope it works, so far so good at 35 hrs.
Tim Andres

BillL · #24 12-03-2016, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim2542

I have had to send my Skytec 149 in for repair for loose threads and /or coming apart 3 times. I had heard they had effected a fix for this and today I noticed for the first time that the new unit they sent me last has a design change. The old design used long screws that passed through 3 sections of the starter. My new one uses short screws that thread into the center section to attach the end cap to the center section, and I assume 2 more short screws threaded in from the other end.
I hope it works, so far so good at 35 hrs.
Tim Andres

Tim, could you post a picture when able? Thanks . . .

Got it, That helps.

catmandu · #25 12-03-2016, 05:10 AM

Data point: just did the annual on the Arrow, two year old 149-NL with 430 hours, still solidly together, no fretting. Same for the rebuild previously mentioned on the RV, 200 hours now and all good as of last oil change.

tim2542 · #26 12-03-2016, 08:11 AM

It's not a great pic or I would have posted it yesterday. You can see the threaded screw hole boss cast in the case near the drive gear. The old one had very long screws that passed all the way through the center casting into the next section. I think it was the length of these screws that allowed the torque from the starter to "rack" the assembly and eventually loosen the screws, but I'm no engineer. This definently a change from the 2 previous starters.

Tim Andres

Note, this is on a pusher and yes I see there is a rivet missing.

Fred.Stucklen · #27 01-11-2017, 05:32 PM

While changing the oil today, I noticed that my Skytec 149-NL starter had an issue with the bolts holding the starter motor to the starter gear drive. This starter has 1350 Hrs on it with no issues. I removed the starter from the engine, and removed the two 8 mm hex head screws that hold the motor and gear section together. After cleaning them up, I locktited the screws into place again with Locktite #680, then bent over the metal tabs onto the bolt flats.

One point of interest is that one of the 8mm bolts required a ground down socket (VERY thin wall on the socket) to remove, and later tighten that bolt. The other bolt didn't require the thin-wall socket.

I'll examine it again on the next oil change to see if it's loosened up again....

Quote:

Originally Posted by RONSIM

Working with a friend on his -7A --- less than 250hrs total, and on his second Skytec starter. The first was replaced under warranty because of looseness between the starter motor and the gear drive. We checked his starter yesterday, during an oil change, and discovered the same loose condition. This starter had the same issue on last oil change and the (2) connecting bolts were tightened and safetied.

What we found, this time, after removing one of the bolts, is that the motor housing bolt holes are significantly larger than the bolt. There are only (2) small (3/16?) bolts holding the motor to the gear drive and the bolt we removed showed significant fretting/stretching/deformed. I believe that the torque is allowing the motor to shift due to the larger hole in the motor flange and wearing at the bolt.

This is the "NL" version of the starter. I was wondering if anyone else has seen this issue? We are placing a call to the Skytec folks on Monday to discuss the issue.

Ron

edneff · #28 01-11-2017, 06:05 PM

I *just* installed a new NL starter on my RV-7, I sure hope it turns out to be the new improved version and trouble free. I have exactly two (very quick) starts on it and no flights yet...

tim2542 · #29 01-11-2017, 07:45 PM

See posts 23 & 26 above.
This new design failed in less than 40 hours (came loose again). Once again skytec replaced it free after it was out of warranty.
This time they told me it had been "improperly assembled"
It will remain to be seen if the excellent CS continues with the new owner Hartzel?, I hope so as I expect to need it just one more time.
Tim Andres

g zero · #30 01-19-2017, 05:05 PM

I'm on my second Sky Tec starter and now it's going back for warranty. Spoke with them today , the latest version Does Not have tab washers on the bolts ( as per my phone conversation). The Serial number code is the first two numbers are the week and the next two are the year , not sure what month they started the latest "Fix" . The one I'm returning is 4015xxxxx