Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 12:25 PM - Re: Re: Stratus-List Digest: 14 Msgs - 01/09/06 (Larry McFarland)
2. 10:23 PM - Re: Re: Stratus-List Digest: 14 Msgs - 01/09/06 (rueffy@jetthrust.com)
Message 1
| INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
| NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
| LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
| SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
| Subject: | Re: Stratus-List Digest: 14 Msgs - 01/09/06 |
--> Stratus-List message posted by: Larry McFarland <larrymc@qconline.com>
I do agree with you Brett,
The Subaru can still loose valve guides. Some fly without concern for
the guides and never have problems, but I think perhaps it's worth
sending the heads to RAM to correct a potential problem.
My mount, at 40 plus hours showed signs of failure, so I made another
and called Mykal. He sent me a new one with a corrected longer gusset.
Most, have only welded the crack and added a strip across the offending
area near the gusset if it wasn't replaced.
Solid state ignition failed on some Stratus engines and it's typically
the magnetic sensor that reads the flywheel magnets. Mine went bad and
I sent it off to Mykal. He replaced it without issue and commented that
some had been soldered too hot and had become heat-sensitive and
intermittent. Mine failed on an early test flight. It's replacement
hasn't given me problems. I'd also recommend dual ignition be installed
and the standard ignition Nippondenso distributor internal-module also
be replaced with an external TP45 module.
Bing carbs need bigger jet sizes after having the heads reworked by RAM,
because there is more air going through the engine.
Cooling issues were a Zenith engineered problem, placing the rabbit
radiator so close to the firewall catching turbulence of the nose gear
and absorbing radiated heat.
from the muffler.
If you worried that there were other problems with the Subaru, I don't
think there are any and only 3 would I call Stratus problems..
Valve guides, mounts and ignition problems are not by themselves enough
for me to be angry, but collectively, people compare notes and feel the
issues might have been fixed a bit earlier, before they became regular
discussion.
On hindsight, I'd buy another Stratus because I seriously like the
engine, its humming sound, serious economy and achievable reliability.
It's a really well engineered package. I'd like to think that Stratus,
at least, will be around a while longer.
Larry McFarland - 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com
Brett Hanley wrote:
>Even more interesting is that only Stratus EA-81
>engine owners seem to blame one specific person at the
>factory for the problem. When you elect to use any
>automotive conversion or any other experimental engine
>you must become the mechanic and the maintenance
>professional.
> I do not think it is fair to Stratus to keep
>dragging up the same old problems long after they have
>been addressed and corrected in current production.
>The Stratus engines have proven themselves to be low
>maintenance and dependable.
>
>For me the difference in the price of a a conversion
>and an "aircraft" engine is the difference between
>flying and not flying. I would hate to see one of the
>few companies that support the EA-81 leave the market
>place because of our gossip about things that have
>long since been rectified.
>
>Clear blue skies and smoth landings.
>
>Brett Hanley
>CH 701 plans built
>San Jose, Costa Rica
>(506)771-7078
>(506)371-4064
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Message 2
| INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
| PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
| NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
| LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
| SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
| Subject: | Re: Stratus-List Digest: 14 Msgs - 01/09/06 |
--> Stratus-List message posted by: rueffy@jetthrust.com
I agree with you Brett. If you install any engine in any experimental you are
the cheif designer, engineer and test pilot. Nobody is responsible but you.
That being said I think it is a fair expectation that the factory corrects ASAP
known and common failures. Mykal has done this with alternator mounts,
ignitions, going to a single belt, etc etc and I have given him credit for
that. However I think he should be doing more on the valve guides issue. I
stand by my comment that people shouldn't have to pull the heads of an engine
they just received and send them away. I know of a person locally here within
the last year that flew the Stratus EA81 without the RAM mod and had to get the
heads redone after 30 hours due to the common valve guide problem.
I talked about the fact Mykal should be pushing his work into constant speed
props etc. I hope that wasn't taken as a shot at him - it wasn't meant to be.
Rather I have a concern that in todays experimental engine market you MUST grow
or die. If you do not evolve and just rest on your laurels (one particular
good product) I am worried Stratus will be left behind. Buyers have expressed
interest in constant speed props for example but I believe have been turned off
by the fact that Stratus cannot offer them solutions based on testing and
experience. I think this would be an excellent way to move the company forward
as an example.
One final comment for Brett, in response to your comment "even more interesting
is that only Stratus EA-81 engine owners seem to blame one specific person at
the factory for the problem." Please correct me if Im wrong but we do this
because its a one man show. Mykal is the factory, sales rep, purchaser,
mechanic and everything else!!
Excellent comments you make about people accepting failures on cert. engines but
dragging conversions through the mud when they fail - we have talked about that
before here. Cheerio (hope I haven't put you off your interest in my engine
Brett!)
Brett (number 2)
Quoting Brett Hanley <bretttdc@yahoo.com>:
> --> Stratus-List message posted by: Brett Hanley <bretttdc@yahoo.com>
>
> I have been hanging out around the local experimental
> airport for some time now. I have witnessed more than
> a few engine failures. Some have been certified
> engines. Some have been expensive "aircraft" engine
> failures. Others have been automobile engine
> failures.
>
> It is interesting to note that the complaints after
> the incident seem to be much less pointed when the
> engine was a much more expensive "aircraft" engine.
> That is to say engine failures in an expensive
> "aircraft" engine seem to be accepted and glossed
> over much more rapidly than an engine failure in an
> automotive engine conversion. Maybe it is just human
> nature. The less someone pays the less they value the
> service or the product. When the product is perceived
> as free is when the complaints get the most vocal.
>
> Even more interesting is that only Stratus EA-81
> engine owners seem to blame one specific person at the
> factory for the problem. When you elect to use any
> automotive conversion or any other experimental engine
> you must become the mechanic and the maintenance
> professional. You as pilot in command and
> manufacturer are soley responsible for the
> airworthiness of your aircraft prior to any flight.
> That's why we are hearing so much about pulling the
> cowl before every flight with some of these engines.
>
> Sometimes we seem to be like little old ladies in this
> list. When someone does not live up to your
> expectations we blame them for the rest of their
> career. I do not think it is fair to Stratus to keep
> dragging up the same old problems long after they have
> been addressed and corrected in current production.
> The Stratus engines have proven themselves to be low
> maintenance and dependable.
>
> For me the difference in the price of a a conversion
> and an "aircraft" engine is the difference between
> flying and not flying. I would hate to see one of the
> few companies that support the EA-81 leave the market
> place because of our gossip about things that have
> long since been rectified.
>
> Just one other mans opinion.
>
> Opinions are just like assholes.
>
> Most everybody has one.
>
> Everybody is entitled to one.
>
> Clear blue skies and smoth landings.
>
>
>
> Brett Hanley
> CH 701 plans built
> San Jose, Costa Rica
> (506)771-7078
> (506)371-4064
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Pilots!-For all your aviation resources visit
Jet Thrust.com- The Pilot Network
http://www.jetthrust.com
Please report IMMEDIATELY any abuse/spam or scams of our webmail system to
the webmaster of this website at the following address: webmaster@jetthrust.com
Other Matronics Email List Services
These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.
-- Please support this service by making your Contribution today! --
|