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Hi,

I have a 912 ULS engine installed. I flew yesterday and everything was normal. This morning during engine warmup also everything seemed normal.

During my takeoff i used my usual takeoff procedure by slowly adding power until full power in my taildragger aircraft. When climbing through 200ft agl i noticed both my EGTs above 900C. I immediately did a low power low altitude turnaround and land the aircraft.

I runup the engine on the ground within the EGT limits and discovered that it can not do above 4000rpm otherwise it would go outside the allowable range. I also noticed that the CHTs and oil temp were hotter than normal after some time of ground runups.

As this pointed out to me for either instrument fault or a lean running condition, i inspected my sensors as well as MAP/carb balance tube for signs of leakage. Nothing found.

I then opened the carb bowls to check the jets for blockage. What i found was that when I opened the bowl, as soon as the needle opened there was some pressure released from the fuel intake. Don't know if it was air trapped in the fuel line or just normal release of fuel pressure...

Note that the engine had no signs of rough running or hesitation at takeoff. I did a runup again after checking the bowls (and releasing whatever pressure was trapped in the fuel lines) and so far temps look good. I don't want to fly the aircraft until i am certain what the cause is, as i dont want an EFATO..!

Regards

Jacques van der Westhuizen
  • Re: 912ULS EGT overheating

    by » 9 years ago


    Hi Jacques,

    900C (1652F) is pretty hot. What was the oil temp and CHT's? Were they also over temp? What is your normal EGT's? Around 1350F - 1475F is normal for most, is yours normally in this area? What's your max engine rpm at take-off?
    The pressure you experienced when you popped the carb bowl off after you had run it was normal. It was just left over pressure in the system.
    Seems odd you would have both EGT's go this way unless you had a system obstruction, an air leak before both carbs or really dirty air filters? You said everything was affected and fairly equal so it doesn't sound electrical affecting the instruments.
    Check real good for an air leak in an area that could affect both carbs at the same time.
    Double check your air filters for being dirty.


    Start with the simple things first then work your way forward.

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


  • Re: 912ULS EGT overheating

    by » 9 years ago


    Do you have a fuel filter and have you changed it recently? A restriction in the fuel supply would affect both carbs and show itself at high throttle settings, while allowing adequate flow at lower rpm so things appear normal. An intake leak will be more obvious at lower rpm due to a higher level of vacuum, and less fuel flow, but it if it was that severe it would run horribly and shake badly at low rpm and your EGT's would be unbalanced left versus right.

    Do you have an electric fuel pump? If so did you try turning it on. Did you make sure your fuel tank vent is clear?

    Do you run auto gas? Have you added fuel system cleaner recently? Autogas will leave deposits on the sides of the fuel tank and lines, and system cleaner can partially dissolve these and get caught in the filter.

    It could also be low flow or pressure from your engine mounted fuel pump, but I think it is more likely you have a fuel line restriction before the pump.

    Do you have a high mounted fuel tank? If so you could also remove the fuel line going into the fuel pump, add a line to it to extend the length, and see how it flows into a container to check flow under gravity. If you do this let it flow about a gallon. If you have a tank vent issue it may reduce the flow soon after you start draining.

    If these things check out I would recommend calling one of the larger Rotax service centers and speaking with a tech there. They seem to be more mechanically adept.

    Hope you find the problem without too much aggravation.

    Kevin K.
    Sonex Jabiru 3300

  • Re: 912ULS EGT overheating

    by » 9 years ago


    I never knew that auto gas left a residue on the fuel lines and fuel tank! This the first time I have heard of this issue and also the adding of a fuel system cleaner. Is this pointed out somewhere in the Rotax engine manual that I have somehow missed after reading it several times and something I should have been doing on a regular basis? What do others do in this instance?

  • Re: 912ULS EGT overheating

    by » 9 years ago


    "Do you run auto gas? Have you added fuel system cleaner recently? Autogas will leave deposits on the sides of the fuel tank and lines, and system cleaner can partially dissolve these and get caught in the filter."

    I have been using auto fuel with and without ethanol for 35 years in my planes and have never heard or seen this unless someone left fuel sitting in a plane for long periods and it would started to degrade. I have never seen it under normal use. Isee about 30+ aircraft for annuals a year and have done well over 50+ hose changes in the last few years and have never seen this from normal use and we all use auto fuel here.


    If anyone has seen this with the normal and timely use of auto fuel I would like to hear about it. Leaving fuel in for a year and not running the engine doesn't count!

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


  • Re: 912ULS EGT overheating

    by » 9 years ago


    Thx. again Roger for reassuring me I did not miss reading this anywhere in the manual regarding auto fuel. It did not make a lot of sense to me either but I did want to ask. Once again you are a wealth of information for this site and I thank you for all your help and input.
    Terry

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