cleve_thompson
Well Known Member
I am doing my 1st. condition inspection on my RV9A with a O320 D2A Lycoming and found cylinder #1 had compression check of 40/80. All other cylinders in mid 70's. The engine was installed new when plane was new 108.9 hours ago.
You can hear air rushing out of the exhaust valve and through the exhaust. We "staked" the valve and got the compression up to 65 but after short run it was back down to 40. I called Lycoming and they are sending a new cylinder under warranty even though engine was put into service 13 months ago. They didn't say whether they would pay for labor.
I had to replace the Skytec starter 2 months ago because of problem with the solenoid.
I had the new Slick mags with the service bulletin re the carbon brushes. We pulled and inspected these but brushes seem OK but will need inspecting again.
2 comments and questions:
1. I am disappointed to have so much trouble with a new engine, a new cylinder, a new starter and mags that have potential problems. I bought a new engine rather than a rebuilt one to avoid problems such as these.
2. When I flew the airplane just before the compression check, I could not tell that anything was wrong nor did I see anything unusual on my engine monitor. How do I check for another stuck valve in the future and what can I do to prevent it? BTW, I have not had trouble with fouled plugs and they looked OK when we pulled them so I don't think I have been running too rich and thus causing carbon build up.
Cleve
You can hear air rushing out of the exhaust valve and through the exhaust. We "staked" the valve and got the compression up to 65 but after short run it was back down to 40. I called Lycoming and they are sending a new cylinder under warranty even though engine was put into service 13 months ago. They didn't say whether they would pay for labor.
I had to replace the Skytec starter 2 months ago because of problem with the solenoid.
I had the new Slick mags with the service bulletin re the carbon brushes. We pulled and inspected these but brushes seem OK but will need inspecting again.
2 comments and questions:
1. I am disappointed to have so much trouble with a new engine, a new cylinder, a new starter and mags that have potential problems. I bought a new engine rather than a rebuilt one to avoid problems such as these.
2. When I flew the airplane just before the compression check, I could not tell that anything was wrong nor did I see anything unusual on my engine monitor. How do I check for another stuck valve in the future and what can I do to prevent it? BTW, I have not had trouble with fouled plugs and they looked OK when we pulled them so I don't think I have been running too rich and thus causing carbon build up.
Cleve