fbpx

 

I have just bought a new plane, the plane has Rotax engine type 912- uls2
till now they are only 26 engine hours
In the plane we have installed the Dynon SkyView system, during almost every flight
we get a Number of warning of a low full pressure, the warning is usually at the pressure is 1.2-1.8 psi ,usually the low pressure lasts for a
very short time and then it returns(displayed at SkyView system) to the to the low green zone between 3-4 psi

In other times the warning of low full pressure appears when we do the engine test before taxi, in that event if the pressure is low we use the auxiliary fuel pomp for a few seconds and when the pressure returns to the green zone and it is 4-5 psi we stop the auxiliary fuel pomp

The manufacturer of plane wroth in pilot hand book not to use both pumps( Mechanical pump' auxiliary pump) at the same time at
( take off and landing ),and actually we use the auxiliary fuel pomp only at emergency when we get a warning

To summer up - we get warning of a low pressure ,the low pressure lasts usually for a few seconds or more every time we fly ,
1) when we see the low pressure in real time (not in the warning display ) on the scale itself, we put on the auxiliary fuel pomp for a few seconds and when the pressure is ok we disconnect it,
2) most times the full pressure is in the at low green scale 2.8 psi
3) We know that if we had a analog Instrument and not a digital warning as we have we probably would have seen the low pressure at most of the times since it is for a short time( seconds or 1or 2 Minutes ) we guess since we didn’t don’t know how log actually it was
Since we put on the auxiliary pomp when we see it

We need advise how to deal with the described problem

Is the instruction not to run two pumps simultaneously is the right thing?
  • Re: Problems with the low full pump pressure

    by » 12 years ago


    Hi Ruv k,

    It usually isn't the pump, but the fuel pressure sending unit. It can also be a bad ground to the sending unit. The other item that kills the fuel pressure sending units seems to be mounting them on top of the engine on the fuel distribution block attached to the carb cross over tube. Many of us have taken it off the engine and mounted it on the fire wall to keep the vibration away from it and you can mount it low on the fire wall to help keep heat away too. Here is what I would do. Buy an inexpensive 0-10 psi analog gauge and some tubing. Put this in line in the fuel pressure line. Start the engine and compare pressure readings between the Dynon and the analog gauge. See if it is a real pressure problem with the pump or just a bad sender. The fuel pressure senders are not expensive and can be purchased from

    www.egauges.com/vdo_send.asp?Sender=30PSI
    They are about $33. Make sure your wires have good connections and are not loose.

    Roger Lee
    LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
    Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
    520-349-7056 Cell


    Thank you said by:

  • Re: Problems with the low full pump pressure

    by » 12 years ago


    Many thanks for the quick response
    In the pilots operating handbook (Sting s4 -Tl ultraligt)there is a warning that operating of both the engin driven and the auxiliary fuel pump for take and landing is not recommended, the combind pump output has been observed to ovrercome the carburetor float valve fuel cutoff etc....cause engin failure, Can i in mean time, to be on the safe side to Use the two pumps while cursing till the problem is solved
    A lot of plans that have Rotax engine do it as a must

    .

  • Re: Problems with the low full pump pressure

    by » 12 years ago


    you say that it is It usually isn't the pump, but the fuel pressure sending unit , But how do you explain that if electric pump is running the fuel pressure is ok, if The reason is the
    sending unit then using the electric pump It would not change the reading

  • Re: Problems with the low full pump pressure

    by » 12 years ago


    This is why you need to rule out a loose wire or bad ground, then put a pressure gauge on it to rule in or out the fuel pump or sender. If the gauge says you have good steady pressure then it is the sender. Swapping out the sender for a few dollars is another quick way to find out which one it is. It will cost more to make the test gauge than it would be to buy a new sender. I keep a test gauge in the shop because I see a lot of planes. A test gauge setup may cost as little as $30.
    You need to rule out all three causes of the low pressure. The wire check is easy and doesn't cost any money. The other two can be accomplished in one of the two ways.
    The books are right that sometimes running both pumps can over pressure the carb needle valve. I'm not a proponent of running both pumps at the same time. The mechanical pump usually handles everything just fine, but the electric is there if you need it.

    Roger Lee
    LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
    Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
    520-349-7056 Cell


    Thank you said by:

  • Re: Problems with the low full pump pressure

    by » 12 years ago


    What type of fuel pump are you using.

    If it is an AC fuel pump then replace it as they are not fit for purpose.

    The valves inside the pump fall apart and could cause the pump to fail.

    IMG_1721_2012-10-22.JPG (You do not have access to download this file.)

You do not have permissions to reply to this topic.