Bill.Peyton
Well Known Member
Over the past 20 hours or so I have noticed that for the first 45 min to 1st hour of flight I have a slight vibration at most any RPM, which previously was not noticeable. Over a period of 45 min to hour of cruise flight, the vibration continuously gets less and less until it is not longer noticeable. This is not a lot of vibration, but enough that my wife noticed it. It's enough to notice in the glare shield, and on the stick. It is consistently repeatable and can be duplicated by letting the aircraft sit for several hours. Flying again for 45 minutes fixes the vibration. I can shut off each ignition in flight and not make any change to the vibration, so it's not an ignition issue.
Engine: IO540 D4A5 690 engine hours
Propeller: Standard RV-10 Hartzell Two blade blended airfoil HC-C2YR clocked in the standard position
I just concluded my annual inspection and did the following, with no change in the symptoms:
The only remaining idea that I have is that the prop grease seal has been compromised and grease is getting into the center of the hub and settling when the plane is sitting idle. When the prop starts spinning and the hub gets filled with warm oil, the grease redistributes itself and the vibration disappears.
So as I write this I am about to leave to drive Hartzell this morning to have them tear down the prop. and hoping that is the issue. Any other ideas from the VAF brain trust are appreciated.
Engine: IO540 D4A5 690 engine hours
Propeller: Standard RV-10 Hartzell Two blade blended airfoil HC-C2YR clocked in the standard position
I just concluded my annual inspection and did the following, with no change in the symptoms:
- Reamed all 4 exhaust guides per Lycoming Service Instruction 1425
- Removed left mag inspected, replaced points and cam, set e-gap etc. and re-timed
- Verified timing of Electroaire electronic ignition
- Serviced, gapped and measured resistance of all plugs
- Measured resistance of all plug wires
The only remaining idea that I have is that the prop grease seal has been compromised and grease is getting into the center of the hub and settling when the plane is sitting idle. When the prop starts spinning and the hub gets filled with warm oil, the grease redistributes itself and the vibration disappears.
So as I write this I am about to leave to drive Hartzell this morning to have them tear down the prop. and hoping that is the issue. Any other ideas from the VAF brain trust are appreciated.