WDYDWYRTW? Feb 7-8, 2026
What did you do with your RV this weekend? Getting this weekend’s thread started and hope you’re having a great one! v/r,dr
vansairforce.net
First Flight Engine Power Loss - FINDINGS
I have since root caused my engine power loss on my first flight from last weekend (see thread). TL;DR: Found debris in the injector(s) which caused my partial power loss - switched to loctite 565 instead of Permatex on the fuel pump inlet and cleaned the whole fuel system. A bit of system...
vansairforce.net
A bit of system background - I have an Andair Fuel Pump and Filter, Silverhawk Fuel Servo with a Precision Airmotive Fuel Spider and Nozzles. My Specific installation has the Andair fuel filter separated from the fuel pump by a tube, as a result I have an NPT to flared fitting on the fuel pump inlet. This fitting needs to be sealed of course, and when I originally installed the fitting, I used Permatex #3 aviation form-a-gasket. I came back a few days later to find a small drip of brown Permatex and a faint smell of fuel; I had a weep.
I took the pump out of the plane, removed the fitting and cleaned the threads out, removing all the old sealant. I applied some new Loctite 565 instead (per recommendations on these forums for when Permatex doesn't work), and that solved my fuel leak. Maybe my Permatex was old, not sure why it didn't seal.
A few weeks later (early Jan 2026), I did some ground runs in preparation for the first flight. The engine ran rough, i couldnt get the mixture right, it rose >300RPM when going to idle-cutoff, EGTs were all over the place, and black smoke was observed from the exhaust. I removed the injectors and found some debris in the #4 restrictor. I cleaned it out, and the engine ran wonderfully. I did all my ground runs up to full power, and all the tests passed after that.
After my first flight engine issue I immediately suspected debris in the injectors. Partial power loss, 1, 2, 3 EGTs dropping suddenly (I suspected overly rich fuel flow cooling the EGTs and causing poor combustion), and black smoke see by my ground observer, seemed like an exact replica of my initial ground run woes. Well I did indeed find debris in the #4 restrictor. It looked like some curved, dried Permatex from the pump threads that made its way to the engine.
I have since cleaned out and flushed the whole system, re-cleaned the threads on the fuel pump (extra careful this time), and have run the system all the way to the nozzles showing even flow from all four nozzles. Engine ran great after putting everything back together, all EGTs were even, and CHTs similarly were all within normal ranges (for the 3 minutes I ran the engine).
I will hopefully not be discussing my next flight due to it being a boring, routine flight.
Low EGT in cylinder after stuck valve
Hi All, I had several months prior suffered a stuck exhaust valve on #4 cylinder as evidenced by a brief but complete loss of EGT. Prior to this the engine had perfect compressions and was running smoothly with no issues. It was repaired with in-situ valve reaming with the McFarlane reamer...
vansairforce.net
Need help bending fuel line
Hi, I'm replumbing my wing-root fuel filters to accommodate a larger filter with more surface area, as discussed in a previous thread. I am having trouble because I need to make a 90-degree bend in the line about an inch and a half from the flare. If I flare the line first, then I can't bend...
vansairforce.net
Type A polysulfide sealant
I have a friend who works for the airlines who scored me an expired can of type A Proseal. Here’s a test coupon. It’s about like wood glue, maybe a scosh thicker. It’s jut thin enough to self level but not really run everywhere. It’s definitely easier to get a thin layer spread out than the...
vansairforce.net
Countersink depth VS-808PP
I know this has been asked before, but I just want fact checked here. After countersinking, the 803 doesn’t nest into the 808PP very well. There is a .02 gap. I’ll try to attach a pic. I’m hesitant to countersink deeper with the info that I have read. Is this adequate, or “normal”? Thanks.
vansairforce.net
RV14 Center Console Bracket
Let me start off this post by clearly stating that the intent of this post is NOT to sell anything (at this time). I reached out to Doug 2 weeks ago to ask about selling or the cost to be an “advertiser” and have yet to receive anything back. My intent is to explain what I have to do on my 14...
vansairforce.net
OFF TOPIC:
Please consider donating annually to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
Get your VansAirForce.net Charity Cap!
VAF Charity Cap: Help your charity and promote this site.
Get the cap all the cool kids are wearing! I don’t get a penny. It’s around $15. $5 more if you want your N-number on the back (I put 'STAFF' on the back of mine because it makes me laugh. Put STAFF on yours too if it makes you smile). And down the road $10 to the charity of your choice...
vansairforce.net
Past ‘VAF News’ issues:
Doug's Area ...The VAF News, About VAF, My Resume
Pushed out every now and then.
www.vansairforce.net
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
The VAF List ...a list of RV-related lists. RV-related things you might want to browse over (a closed post that is sticky and maintained by dr). Link to this in 'Links' in the menu. v/r,dr Small businesses that help bring you this list of RV-related lists: 360 Avionics www.360Avionics.com Ace...
vansairforce.net
