This Forum is a place for Piper Comanche pilots to communicate and discuss technical issues
If you join or reset a password, please check your Spam Email box for emails from Admin at ComancheTechTalk.com
Please put your questions on the forum as well so everyone can read and respond. Someone else might be having similar questions.
All questions or topics on the Forums automatically get sent to the Tech team as well.
Bad luck continues - fuel pressure cut out engine
Unfortunately my bad luck continues with the 180. My freshly overhauled engine started running rough on downwind over the weekend. I flipped on the electric pump (which I was about to do anyway) and made a short pattern. As I turned towards the base leg, the engine went from running rough to basically unresponsive. It was still running, but wasn't generating any real power. Luckily, I was able to touch down without incident, but as soon as i retarded the throttle on roll out, the engine immediately died. I was able to coast onto the taxi way past the hold short line, but had to be towed back in.
After digesting the situation, I should have obviously applied carb heat, and noted the fuel pressure on the gauge, but my focus had turned to flying the airplane and getting it down safely, so those two pieces of information are missing. But subsequent attempts to start the engine (after giving it a full day to cool/clear) result in the same basic symptoms:
- The electric fuel pump runs at full tilt and gives no indication of being able to build pressure in the lines.
- The engine will start, but runs very rough until the throttle is pushed in nearly halfway at which point it awakes like a bear from hybernation.
- When throttle is reduced it immediately dies.
- The condition does not change based on the tank selection.
- The proper motion of the throttle, carb heat, and mixture was observed on the carb itself.
I have my mechanic coming out to look at it today. Having read the tips section on site & applying my own mechanical sense it sounds like either the fuel strainer or something in the fuel lines between the electric pump and the tanks blocking the fuel flow. Does anyone else have any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks,
-Quint
- Quint Van Deman
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2011 5:14 pm
Re: Bad luck continues - fuel pressure cut out engine
Jay
PA 30 N7702Y
Jay- ICS member
- Posts: 473
- Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 10:59 pm
- Location: Portland, Oregon
Re: Bad luck continues - fuel pressure cut out engine
Zach Grant L1011jock- Technical Advisor
- Posts: 1404
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 4:35 pm
- Location: Indianapolis KEYE
Re: Bad luck continues - fuel pressure cut out engine
Thanks,
Quint
- Quint Van Deman
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2011 5:14 pm
Re: Bad luck continues - fuel pressure cut out engine
Zach
Zach Grant L1011jock- Technical Advisor
- Posts: 1404
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 4:35 pm
- Location: Indianapolis KEYE