SUREFLY SIM4P Failure

[eatonair]

This may be covered in different thread but I couldn't find anything. Have an RV6 with IO-320 and installed Surefly Sim4p about three years ago thinking it would improve reliability (even though I've never had a magneto failure). Suddenly had left mag (Surefly) problems at 209 hours. Fortunately it occurred at my home airport and landed without issue.

Experienced slight engine roughness after takeoff with occasional misfire. Returned to airfield and by that time the mag check revealed a much worse left mag. Engine would barely run. Did all the required troubleshooting, cleaned plugs, leads, even cleaned fuel nozzles. Engine started once with p-Lead disconnected but very rough on left mag and now refuses to start at all.

Removed the SIM4p for repair but from what I hear, I'm expecting to be told that I'll have to purchase a new one now that the warranty is expired. Will ship it out tomorrow and wait to see what happens. My confidence in the Surefly has been shattered and I'm seriously considering putting the original Slick back in it's place. Very Disappointed to say the least.

Wondering if anyone has had similar experience and what has Surefly customer support provided? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

[lr172]

This may be covered in different thread but I couldn't find anything. Have an RV6 with IO-320 and installed Surefly Sim4p about three years ago thinking it would improve reliability (even though I've never had a magneto failure). Suddenly had left mag (Surefly) problems at 209 hours. Fortunately it occurred at my home airport and landed without issue.

Experienced slight engine roughness after takeoff with occasional misfire. Returned to airfield and by that time the mag check revealed a much worse left mag. Engine would barely run. Did all the required troubleshooting, cleaned plugs, leads, even cleaned fuel nozzles. Engine started once with p-Lead disconnected but very rough on left mag and now refuses to start at all.

Removed the SIM4p for repair but from what I hear, I'm expecting to be told that I'll have to purchase a new one now that the warranty is expired. Will ship it out tomorrow and wait to see what happens. My confidence in the Surefly has been shattered and I'm seriously considering putting the original Slick back in it's place. Very Disappointed to say the least.

Wondering if anyone has had similar experience and what has Surefly customer support provided? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Please post the details about how they deal with this issue. We don't hear much about surefly issues here, at least not that I have seen. In fairness, no product has a 100% reliability rate. Anxious to hear how they treat repair. If the answer is "buy another one," that is a red flag.

 

[lr172]

Experienced slight engine roughness after takeoff with occasional misfire.

This is a bit odd. If the surefly went offline, the engine should run just fine with no misfires. You may notice the slight change in engine sound of running on 4 plugs and small power loss, but no misfire. Possible the surefly lost TDC and fired early, creating the issues, but also worth some time to be sure your Rt mag is performing at 100%.

 

[eatonair]

This is a bit odd. If the surefly went offline, the engine should run just fine with no misfires. You may notice the slight change in engine sound of running on 4 plugs and small power loss, but no misfire. Possible the surefly lost TDC and fired early, creating the issues, but also worth some time to be sure your Rt mag is performing at 100%.

I thought so too. But engine runs fine on right Slick mag. Unfortunately no impulse coupling on right mag. Rely entirely on Surefly for starting.
I have since spoken to Matt at Surefly to arrange for bench check at $200 but he suggested that because of the low time, he might adjust that.
My model is a Revision B which they apparently no longer repair so I'll wait to see what the diagnosis is.

 

[YellowJacket RV9]

What ignition harness are you using? I had similar symptoms, but the problem was the harness, not the surefly. It really does need a good quality harness. I got by with a cheaper ACS harness for years, but upgrading to a new Champion harness fixed the issue.

 

[Webb]

I had a Surefly go tango uniform on my Bonanza. Wasn’t the harness because that was a new replacement when the mag was installed. Customer service was excellent. I checked what they asked me to do. They sent me a replacement and I returned the box with my mag in it. Easy peasy.

The SF mag will not work without power. I hate to ask the obvious but was it getting power or could it have been a loose or corroded connection?

 

[eatonair]

What ignition harness are you using? I had similar symptoms, but the problem was the harness, not the surefly. It really does need a good quality harness. I got by with a cheaper ACS harness for years, but upgrading to a new Champion harness fixed the issue.

Using the champion harness. The system has been great for years then overnight this. Will find out when Surefly does the diagnosis.

 

[eatonair]

I had a Surefly go tango uniform on my Bonanza. Wasn’t the harness because that was a new replacement when the mag was installed. Customer service was excellent. I checked what they asked me to do. They sent me a replacement and I returned the box with my mag in it. Easy peasy.

The SF mag will not work without power. I hate to ask the obvious but was it getting power or could it have been a loose or corroded connection?

It was definitely getting power. Fuse was fine. Even still blinking the correct DIN code. Probably going to reinstall the Slick mag while I await the findings from Surefly.

 

[skylor]

This may be covered in different thread but I couldn't find anything. Have an RV6 with IO-320 and installed Surefly Sim4p about three years ago thinking it would improve reliability (even though I've never had a magneto failure). Suddenly had left mag (Surefly) problems at 209 hours. Fortunately it occurred at my home airport and landed without issue.

Experienced slight engine roughness after takeoff with occasional misfire. Returned to airfield and by that time the mag check revealed a much worse left mag. Engine would barely run. Did all the required troubleshooting, cleaned plugs, leads, even cleaned fuel nozzles. Engine started once with p-Lead disconnected but very rough on left mag and now refuses to start at all.

Removed the SIM4p for repair but from what I hear, I'm expecting to be told that I'll have to purchase a new one now that the warranty is expired. Will ship it out tomorrow and wait to see what happens. My confidence in the Surefly has been shattered and I'm seriously considering putting the original Slick back in it's place. Very Disappointed to say the least.

Wondering if anyone has had similar experience and what has Surefly customer support provided? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

What did the EGT's do on your engine monitor while the engine was misfiring? Were there indications of misfire on all cylinders or was it isolated to a single cylinder?

Skylor