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Originally Posted by rv6ejguy
The sky is falling, the sky is falling. GMC won't want hear about problems like this from Hartzell owners!  |
Give it a break. G
Czechsix: Mark Navratil, ignore the children.
Call Hartzell Customer service and explain. BUT before you call....... This a new prop? It should be under warranty. Sitting for a month or year, what ever should not dry it out. You don't have much flying time on it, so fly and monitor. It takes only a little grease to make a big mess. As you exercise the prop is should seat. Is it cold in Iowa? It could be blowing it out when cold at start, since it is not seated or broken-in yet. You may want to make sure the plane (prop in particular) is pre-heated before start. It could have been over serviced with grease? I am guessing but some LPS sprayed into the the seal area could not hurt. If it persist, the seals may need to be replaced, but you should not have to pay (read on).
Last one I heard of on a new prop was over a year ago, repair was done at Hartzells expense, and it cost about $500. Hartzell had a new prop leak or two around 2003 or so (about the time you bought yours?). After repair under warranty, there was no further problem. Bottom line Hartzell payed with no questions asked.
It is possible you have an "old" new prop with the problem. I think they did not use enough sealant in installation of the seal. I could be off base. If it does need to be replaced and Hartzell is not willing to replace it for some reason, because it is past warranty I would push them. It should be on Hartzell's nickle, especially if the seals where not installed with enough sealant.
We are getting ahead of ourselves. It could work it self out. I would give it 50-75 hours at least. Again new+cold weather could leak a little grease. If it does stop leaking, write back and tell rv6ejguy, "so there".
After flying and it does not get better, than call Hartzell and tell them you know there was a few RV's with a new seal problems, and you think your brand NEW prop, you just installed, is leaking too much. Tell them what you want, but I
would NOT mention the 18 month thing. I would emphasis the time in service. If they ask how old it is, I would say you have no idea how long it was in THEIR warehouse. If they ask how long you had it, I would be evasive and say, it is brand NEW and has XX hours and its leaking. I think they will help you out and back their product; that has been my experience.
I never had a significant leak. Although from time to time I recall seeing a trace of grease or film on the blade, but it was insignificant. Than it would go forever with no grease. Occasionally some sneaks out, even on well worn props. Why grease shows sometimes on occasion? I don't know, but it is no big deal.
I would try real nice at first, and than use subtle hints of your extreme displeasure if they resist repairing it under warranty. I doubt it will come to that. They have always been responsive to me.
At least if you do need new seals, you will be able to drive it over to a local prop shop and have it fixed in a day, verses shipping it to gosh knows where. Try that with a MT or warp drive. "Ja, Vee Vill have Das prop ready after der Oktoberfest, ist das gutes?" ha ha, lol, oh my.
(so there, Roarrrrr! bear awake, no sudden moves and no one will get hurt.)
Safety wise it is not an issue. I doubt you are spitting that much grease. It only takes a little at 200 mph and 2500 rpm to throw it all over. The hub is full of grease. Make sure you use the right grease type and do the procedure per the manual. You have to remove the opposite Zerk fitting and pump till seeing a smooth full flow of grease out that fitting hole.
As far as not wanting to hear problems, Contraire mon ami (that is French, because we are sophisticated on vansairforce.net). As the ancient Chinese scholar Confucius once said, "Sh@#t happens".
G
Hartzell slinging grease
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