I'm looking for answers as to why this happened....twice now. Luckily both times on the ground during the first few minutes of running the engine.
This may be as simple as Lycoming Service Instruction 1435.... but I'm not sure. I took the C/Speed prop off for service and fitted the plane for a fixed pitch prop. I removed the governor, placed a cover and gasket on the governor adaptor and had the local A/P + A/I install the front plug in the crank. All went well for 50 hours, then I decided to go back to the C/S and refitted the governor. the C/S prop needed service almost immediately and I decided to go back AGAIN to the F/P and repeated the process of removing the governor and placing a plug in the fornt of the Crankshaft.
This time, I started the engine and prepared to go fly. In about 3 -4 minutes the plug let go and oil spewed everywhere. I assumed the plug had been placed incorrectly and after cleaning the plane up (that's another story) and having a second plug fitted, I tried again. Same result. Big mess, but at least these events happend on the ground. The steel return line was never removed.
Now here's the question. This time, as last time, I assumed that with the governor removed, the pressure was off and did not pierce the rear plug. Did I just luck out for the 50 hours I flew with a F/P and a plug NOT pierced in the rear of the crank? Or, did I do someting this time that caused the governor adaptor to not allow relief of pressurized oil...like an improper gasket that blocks a relief port? Or was the AI/AP mechanic that put in the first plug just better than me at installing it?
I wouldn't want to bet on getting down safely with this happening in flight.
This may be as simple as Lycoming Service Instruction 1435.... but I'm not sure. I took the C/Speed prop off for service and fitted the plane for a fixed pitch prop. I removed the governor, placed a cover and gasket on the governor adaptor and had the local A/P + A/I install the front plug in the crank. All went well for 50 hours, then I decided to go back to the C/S and refitted the governor. the C/S prop needed service almost immediately and I decided to go back AGAIN to the F/P and repeated the process of removing the governor and placing a plug in the fornt of the Crankshaft.
This time, I started the engine and prepared to go fly. In about 3 -4 minutes the plug let go and oil spewed everywhere. I assumed the plug had been placed incorrectly and after cleaning the plane up (that's another story) and having a second plug fitted, I tried again. Same result. Big mess, but at least these events happend on the ground. The steel return line was never removed.
Now here's the question. This time, as last time, I assumed that with the governor removed, the pressure was off and did not pierce the rear plug. Did I just luck out for the 50 hours I flew with a F/P and a plug NOT pierced in the rear of the crank? Or, did I do someting this time that caused the governor adaptor to not allow relief of pressurized oil...like an improper gasket that blocks a relief port? Or was the AI/AP mechanic that put in the first plug just better than me at installing it?
I wouldn't want to bet on getting down safely with this happening in flight.