A flying club’s maintenance officer wants to upgrade one of the club’s airplane engines, claiming the engine is known for having “lots of reliability issues.” Another member of the club turned to our expert to get his advice on what’s really going on with the engine.
aviation engines
What is causing that popping noise in my engine?
Question for Paul McBride, General Aviation News’ engines expert: I’ve noticed that if I reduce the throttle quickly I get a popping noise from the exhaust for a few seconds that then quits. A slow reduction in power to idle doesn’t cause it.
Ask Paul: Finding the correct oil cooler inlet on my airplane’s engine
“I do not understand the the oil routing to allow the thermostatic valve, located in the filter adapter, to control the oil flow to or from the oil cooler, from ports not located on or near the thermostatic by pass valve.”
Tips for storing an idle engine
What is the best way to store an engine — whether it’s just for the winter or a much longer time as you finish your restoration project or homebuilt airplane? Here are several tips, covering both Continental and Lycoming engines.
When ‘just buy a new engine’ isn’t the right answer
I’m frustrated at this juncture simply because many are defaulting to the “just buy a new engine” solution while myself and others realize that doing so without determining exactly what the root cause of this issue is seems foolish and professionally and technically timid.
Ask Paul: A reader tip may solve the problem
A reader’s solution for his engine troubles highlighted in a recent “Tips & tricks from our readers” post may hold the answer for this aviation maintenance pro and the engine problem that’s frustrating him.
Japanese companies team to research new GA aircraft powered by Yamaha engines
Yamaha Motor Co. has teamed with ShinMaywa Industries, a Japanese industrial conglomerate descended from the Kawanishi Aircraft Company, to conduct joint research on a next-generation general aviation aircraft. Under the new agreement, Yamaha Motor will explore avenues for adapting its small-engine technologies to the aviation industry.
Ask Paul: The trouble with troubleshooting
Our engines expert Paul McBride helps troubleshoot a perplexing problem with an engine on an owner-maintained airplane.
An automotive engine for your Cessna 172?
Modifying the aluminum V8 engine to power legacy piston aircraft offers several advantages, including the ability to use multiple fuel types, including automobile gas, as well as modern fuel injection that eliminates mixture and carb heat controls. “This, and the ability to burn cheaper automotive gas and mass-produced components, can significantly reduce the cost of owning and operating small aircraft,” said Corsair co-founder Rich Macmullin. “Our cost to fly the test C172 is less than $19 an hour with fuel and engine reserves, compared to over $60 with the original Lycoming engine.”