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1. 01:37 AM - (no subject) (Philippjw54@aol.com)
2. 06:20 AM - Re: (no subject) (flyv35b)
3. 03:21 PM - Re: (Engine Breather) (Philippjw54@aol.com)
Message 1
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--> Engines-List message posted by: Philippjw54@aol.com
Concerning the engine breather hose. On my 1963 Piper Colt, it was set up
with a piece of 3003 aluminum tubing from the engine and nicely formed towards
the back of the cowl. The last few feet or so was "Aeroquip 303 hose" attached
with a hose clamp. On cold days be sure to check that the breather line has not
been clogged by ice. The condensation from the engine will collect in the
breather line and "will freeze." When installing the breather line make sure
there are no "traps" for condensation to collect. It must drain freely. If it does
collect to a point where freezing occurs and clogs, the resulting blow out of
the front main oil seal could ruin your day. I know, because it happened to
me. Thank god it happened just after take off and a very alert air traffic
controller noticed smoke trailing from my plane and radioed me of the problem.
I
requested that I be granted # 1 to land, and proceeded to land short field.
When I knew I had the field made, I immediately shut down the engine and came in
dead stick. Oil was all over the wind screen by this time and visibility was
nil. I fed in full right rudder and left aileron and forward slipped the colt
on a steep descending turn to the right so I could see the runway through the
side window. I'm not trying to brag but, at the perfect time I flared and made
a really, really, perfect greased landing. All ended well with no engine
damage other than the blown out front oil seal. On the Lycoming 0-235C the seal
is
glued in. Something so simple as a breather line can really complicate
matters, ruin your day, or worse. Lets keep everything neat and installed properly.
Always include the breather line in the preflight checklist. Especially on
cold days.
Fly safe and be well folks.
Just remember that we are smarter than
the breather line. I know I am now.
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: (no subject) |
--> Engines-List message posted by: "flyv35b" <flyv35b@ashcreekwireless.com>
> Concerning the engine breather hose. On my 1963 Piper Colt, it was set up
> with a piece of 3003 aluminum tubing from the engine and nicely formed
> towards
> the back of the cowl. The last few feet or so was "Aeroquip 303 hose"
> attached
> with a hose clamp. On cold days be sure to check that the breather line
> has not
> been clogged by ice. The condensation from the engine will collect in the
> breather line and "will freeze."
The solution to this potential problem is to cut what is called a whistle
slot in the aluminum breather tube inside the cowling near the lower corner
of the firewall. You saw about halfway through the aluminum tube and then
form or dent in the upper portion above the saw cut for about an inch above
the slot. Use a 1/4 drive half inch deep set socket or something similar
and pound it carefully with a hammer. The oil coming out the breather will
then cross the slot and into the lower tube and not leak inside the cowling.
Thus, if the end that is below the cowling ices over there will still be a
breather slot inside the warmer engine compartment.
Several manufacturers have used this technique. I'm surprised Piper didn't
do it on the Colt.
Cliff A&P/IA
----- Original Message -----
From: <Philippjw54@aol.com>
Subject: Engines-List: (no subject)
> --> Engines-List message posted by: Philippjw54@aol.com
>
> Concerning the engine breather hose. On my 1963 Piper Colt, it was set up
> with a piece of 3003 aluminum tubing from the engine and nicely formed
> towards
> the back of the cowl. The last few feet or so was "Aeroquip 303 hose"
> attached
> with a hose clamp. On cold days be sure to check that the breather line
> has not
> been clogged by ice. The condensation from the engine will collect in the
> breather line and "will freeze." When installing the breather line make
> sure
> there are no "traps" for condensation to collect. It must drain freely. If
> it does
> collect to a point where freezing occurs and clogs, the resulting blow out
> of
> the front main oil seal could ruin your day. I know, because it happened
> to
> me. Thank god it happened just after take off and a very alert air traffic
> controller noticed smoke trailing from my plane and radioed me of the
> problem. I
> requested that I be granted # 1 to land, and proceeded to land short
> field.
> When I knew I had the field made, I immediately shut down the engine and
> came in
> dead stick. Oil was all over the wind screen by this time and visibility
> was
> nil. I fed in full right rudder and left aileron and forward slipped the
> colt
> on a steep descending turn to the right so I could see the runway through
> the
> side window. I'm not trying to brag but, at the perfect time I flared and
> made
> a really, really, perfect greased landing. All ended well with no engine
> damage other than the blown out front oil seal. On the Lycoming 0-235C the
> seal is
> glued in. Something so simple as a breather line can really complicate
> matters, ruin your day, or worse. Lets keep everything neat and installed
> properly.
> Always include the breather line in the preflight checklist. Especially on
> cold days.
>
> Fly safe and be well folks.
> Just remember that we are smarter than
> the breather line. I know I am now.
>
>
>
Message 3
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| Subject: | Re: (Engine Breather) |
--> Engines-List message posted by: Philippjw54@aol.com
That sounds great for the lower portion of the breather but, the point at
which the frozen clog took place was at the first bend just after the breather
exits the engine case. The engine was preheated for 15-20 minutes by an external
source directly through one of the cowl intakes. The other cowl intake was
left sealed for the preheating. After preheating the engine and the oil temp
gauge reading, the engine was started and run-up at 700--1000 RPM for 15-20
minutes and then taxied to the active runway. Another 15-20 minutes including
engine preflight run-up and magneto check. Even after all the preheating and engine
run-up and, taxiing, the breather still was blocked by frozen sludge and
condensation. Very unusual? Maybe. After the breather was replaced and doubled
in
size, the breather line was fine. I now remove and clean the breather line
every 25 hours of engine operation. Never had a problem since. Keep it clean.
Philip Wallace A&P
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