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Hoses at the bottem off the engine
I have a Factory Turbo twinco PA39 built in 1970. I habe a few problems with the turbo. The MP is not so high in FL160 and above (only 24 to 26 MP). We are about to look for leaks everywhere and already found a few. But what we discover today, is really interessting. At the bottom of the engine are two hoses-link which are connected und go to an adapter at the cowling. When we blow intos these hoses, we here a hiss in the induchtion of the air filter. That means, if the turbo starts to blow air in the air filter/Engine, a few of the over-pressure goes out through these to hoses and reduces the MP. See picture "red arrows". Is that OK ? In my opinion, these to hoses does not make really sence. I would prefer to close these two hoses to have more pressure/power for the engine in high altitude. Does the after market Turbo Twincos have these hoses as well? For what are these two hoses good for?
Wolff Ehrhardt- Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:58 am
Re: Hoses at the bottem off the engine
Timothy Poole- Posts: 122
- Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:43 pm
- Location: KVKX
Re: Hoses at the bottem off the engine
In other words, when I close these to hoses/valves, nothing serious happens, except that flooding the engine is more possible than with these valves?
Wolff Ehrhardt- Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:58 am
Re: Hoses at the bottem off the engine
How much (boosted) manifold pressure do you think it ought to have at 16,000 feet? Is there an operating table for that?
I'd be reluctant in the extreme to pinch those off without more info. Having them checked and replaced if they aren't operating properly (per the applicable maintenance manual) seems like a good place to start.
You point seems correct to me though. At high altitudes, if the boosted manifold pressure at that intake is higher than ambient, then those valves would be open and pressure would be lost at that point. Perhaps turbo charged engines use a differently actuated sniffle valve and you have the wrong ones?
William Hughes- Posts: 97
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:23 pm
- Location: Saskatoon, SK
Re: Hoses at the bottem off the engine
Those valves are technically manifold drain valves. They get gummed up and need to be checked at annual inspection. If you can blow into them, then the check valve is stuck. One can try soaking in acetone to see if they clean up. I keep one or two spares. The p/n is 492-091. The valve will also limit, but might not entirely block, the flow of air outwards when the turbos are running. However, that is a very small leak and you would not notice much difference. If you block them off you are asking for a manifold fire or the mother of all backfires through the induction system. Don't go there. Buy new valves if necessary.
IMO, if a turbo can maintain 25" and 2500 rpm at 16,000, you are doing pretty well and probably not worth spending money on chasing turbo problems until it drops below that. That, of course, is merely my opinion.
Kristin Winter- ICS member
- Posts: 1299
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:21 pm
- Location: Northern California
Re: Hoses at the bottem off the engine
Very easy. In FL160 a non turbo would bring aprox 14 MP. If I turn the turbo to 28 MP (turbo cruise) the MP difference will be 14.
Wolff Ehrhardt- Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:58 am
Re: Hoses at the bottem off the engine
The POH says that turbo cruise should be possible up to FL 20.000 with MP 28/2400. But I only reach 26/2400 in FL140.
We will check the valves. Thanks for the tip with the acetone.
Wolff Ehrhardt- Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:58 am
Re: Hoses at the bottem off the engine
Wolff Ehrhardt- Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:58 am
Re: Hoses at the bottem off the engine
- Douglas Crane
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:53 pm