Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 07:13 AM - Re: It Finally Happened to ME! (Larry McFarland)
2. 03:04 PM - Re: It Finally Happened to ME! (Andy Fultz)
3. 04:08 PM - Re: It Finally Happened to ME! (Tim)
4. 05:00 PM - Re: It Finally Happened to ME! (Don Walker)
5. 05:36 PM - Re: It Finally Happened to ME! (Larry McFarland)
6. 05:46 PM - Re: It Finally Happened to ME! (Larry McFarland)
7. 08:00 PM - Re: It Finally Happened to ME! Update (Andy Fultz)
Message 1
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| Subject: | It Finally Happened to ME! |
Hi Andy,
Sorry to hear of your engine problems, but it would be very useful to other
Subaru users to know if you had the valve guides redone, or were they
dependent upon just circlips to secure the valve guides.
Ron at Ram Performance redid my valve guides and I've not heard of anyone
with his modification having trouble. Lots of failures with just circlips
though. Check your pistons to determine if the tops
were broken or fractured markedly. This is a most likely scenario for that
engine.
If you return to using the Subaru, I'd recommend you get the valve guide
work done, before flying it and add EGTs for each side. It's a good
barometer of your engine performance.
Larry McFarland 601HDS Stratus EA81
flying a Piper Cherokee now.
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Andy Fultz
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 9:23 PM
Subject: RE: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
In my haste to hit the send button I failed to tell you guys that the engine
is a STRAUTS EA-81 with 287 hours on it.
Andy F.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Andy Fultz
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 9:12 PM
Subject: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
NOT excited to report a catastrophic engine failure on take off. This past
Saturday I was departing my home field from rwy 36 and at about 450 AGL my
engine started to vibrate violently and then the prop came to an abrupt halt
just after I pushed the nose over and pulled the power (MAYBE two seconds
from first indication of a problem till the prop stopped). I felt that I
had enough altitude to execute a 180 (more like a quick wing-over) and
landed safely on 18. Lots of ground up metal in the oil pan ,but no blood
or anything in cockpit. My guardian angel was riding with me. Really got
my attention. This was the first flight after a Thursday, 1.3 hr Xcountry
at night. The engine was a Stratus EA-81 and there were no warning signs
that I was aware of. The engine was running fine, with all temps and oil
pressure normal, then it wasn't running at all.
I have removed the engine from the airframe and pulled the oil pan which
is holding a double handful of ground up metal bits and there's a hole in
the top of the case. Also found about a half of a handful of bits in the
muffler. Not sure at this time what caused it to come apart, but I'll
continue to try to find out what happened. May never know for sure as many
pieces as it seems to be in. Yall be careful and know what you and you bird
are capable of.
Andy F.
AVID C/Mark IV Extended Speedwing
href="http://www.aeroelectric.com">www.aeroelectric.com
href="http://www.buildersbooks.com">www.buildersbooks.com
href="http://www.homebuilthelp.com">www.homebuilthelp.com
href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/chref
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-List%22%3ehttp://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Stratus-List>
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avigator?Stratus-List
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Message 2
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| Subject: | It Finally Happened to ME! |
Hey Larry,
It was just a stock STRATUS conversion. I knew of a few instances of
valve guide problems, but did not realize that there were so many till mine
failed and I started really looking. I spoke with Ron Carr today and was
very impressed with what he had to say. I am headed to the airport now to
take the head off and have a look inside, but from what I could see with a
scope looking through the spark plug hole, there's not enough of the piston
left tell what happened. Is your RAM modified engine still in use? How
many hours?
Andy F.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Larry McFarland
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 9:13 AM
To: stratus-list@matronics.com
Subject: RE: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
Hi Andy,
Sorry to hear of your engine problems, but it would be very useful to
other Subaru users to know if you had the valve guides redone, or were they
dependent upon just circlips to secure the valve guides.
Ron at Ram Performance redid my valve guides and I've not heard of anyone
with his modification having trouble. Lots of failures with just circlips
though. Check your pistons to determine if the tops
were broken or fractured markedly. This is a most likely scenario for
that engine.
If you return to using the Subaru, I'd recommend you get the valve guide
work done, before flying it and add EGTs for each side. It's a good
barometer of your engine performance.
Larry McFarland 601HDS Stratus EA81
flying a Piper Cherokee now.
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Andy Fultz
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 9:23 PM
To: stratus-list@matronics.com
Subject: RE: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
In my haste to hit the send button I failed to tell you guys that the
engine is a STRAUTS EA-81 with 287 hours on it.
Andy F.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Andy Fultz
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 9:12 PM
To: stratus-list@matronics.com; avid_flyer@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
NOT excited to report a catastrophic engine failure on take off. This
past Saturday I was departing my home field from rwy 36 and at about 450 AGL
my engine started to vibrate violently and then the prop came to an abrupt
halt just after I pushed the nose over and pulled the power (MAYBE two
seconds from first indication of a problem till the prop stopped). I felt
that I had enough altitude to execute a 180 (more like a quick wing-over)
and landed safely on 18. Lots of ground up metal in the oil pan ,but no
blood or anything in cockpit. My guardian angel was riding with me. Really
got my attention. This was the first flight after a Thursday, 1.3 hr
Xcountry at night. The engine was a Stratus EA-81 and there were no
warning signs that I was aware of. The engine was running fine, with all
temps and oil pressure normal, then it wasn't running at all.
I have removed the engine from the airframe and pulled the oil pan
which is holding a double handful of ground up metal bits and there's a hole
in the top of the case. Also found about a half of a handful of bits in the
muffler. Not sure at this time what caused it to come apart, but I'll
continue to try to find out what happened. May never know for sure as many
pieces as it seems to be in. Yall be careful and know what you and you bird
are capable of.
Andy F.
AVID C/Mark IV Extended Speedwing
href="http://www.aeroelectric.com">www.aeroelectric.comhref="http://www.bu
ildersbooks.com">www.buildersbooks.comhref="http://www.homebuilthelp.com">ww
w.homebuilthelp.comhref="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.m
atronics.com/chref="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Stratus-List">http://
www.matronics.com/Navigator?Stratus-Listhref="http://forums.matronics.com">h
ttp://forums.matronics.com
www.aeroelectric.comwww.buildersbooks.comwww.homebuilthelp.comhttp://www.mat
ronics.com/contributionhttp://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Stratus-Listhttp:/
/forums.matronics.com
Message 3
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| Subject: | Re: It Finally Happened to ME! |
I have a question for Stratus users, what is your water temperature. I
am concerned that several people have had one or more instances of valve
guide failure while most do not. I too have a Stratus EA81 with over 200
hours on it and my water runs at 190 degrees F, on long summer climb
outs it can get to 200 degrees. I did not like the cooling system design
supplied by Zenith and spent a year designing my own. Since this failure
is not endemic in cars my question is are many running at higher water
temperature contributiong to this problem.
Tim Shankland
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Fultz
To: stratus-list@matronics.com ; avid_flyer@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 10:11 PM
Subject: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
NOT excited to report a catastrophic engine failure on take off.
This past Saturday I was departing my home field from rwy 36 and at
about 450 AGL my engine started to vibrate violently and then the prop
came to an abrupt halt just after I pushed the nose over and pulled the
power (MAYBE two seconds from first indication of a problem till the
prop stopped). I felt that I had enough altitude to execute a 180 (more
like a quick wing-over) and landed safely on 18. Lots of ground up
metal in the oil pan ,but no blood or anything in cockpit. My guardian
angel was riding with me. Really got my attention. This was the first
flight after a Thursday, 1.3 hr Xcountry at night. The engine was a
Stratus EA-81 and there were no warning signs that I was aware of. The
engine was running fine, with all temps and oil pressure normal, then it
wasn't running at all.
I have removed the engine from the airframe and pulled the oil pan
which is holding a double handful of ground up metal bits and there's a
hole in the top of the case. Also found about a half of a handful of
bits in the muffler. Not sure at this time what caused it to come
apart, but I'll continue to try to find out what happened. May never
know for sure as many pieces as it seems to be in. Yall be careful and
know what you and you bird are capable of.
Andy F.
AVID C/Mark IV Extended Speedwing
Message 4
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| Subject: | Re: It Finally Happened to ME! |
Tim, my temps are running close to what yours are, and sometimes up to abou
t =0A210. I have my egt limit set at 1450, and I usually run around 1350 to
1380 in =0Acruise on egt. However, I feel very confident in the heads Ram
built for me, =0Awith the new guides, larger ss valves, etc. What mods did
you make to your =0Acooling?=0A-I used to take off with full power, but h
ave decided that is just a waste and =0Aunnecessary unless on a very short
strip...so I am more gentle now. My guide =0Afailures were on cold days tak
ing off at full power. It seems to me the temp =0Adifferential between the
steel and aluminum was a problem. but that is no =0Aproblem with the Ram va
lve job.- don=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A________________________________=0AFrom: Tim
<tshankland@sbcglobal.net>=0ATo: stratus-list@matronics.com=0ASent: Tue, No
vember 20, 2012 6:09:50 PM=0ASubject: Re: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened
to ME!=0A=0A=0AI have a question for Stratus users, what is your water tem
perature. I am =0Aconcerned that several people have had one or more instan
ces of valve guide =0Afailure while most do not. I too have a Stratus EA81
with over 200 hours on it =0Aand my water runs at 190 degrees F, on long su
mmer climb outs it can get to 200 =0Adegrees. I did not like the cooling sy
stem design supplied by Zenith and spent a =0Ayear designing my own. Since
this failure is not endemic in cars my question is =0Aare many running at h
igher-water temperature -contributiong to this problem.=0A=0ATim Shankl
and=0A----- Original Message ----- =0A>From: Andy Fultz =0A>To: stratus-lis
t@matronics.com ; avid_flyer@yahoogroups.com =0A>Sent: Monday, November 19,
2012 10:11 PM=0A>Subject: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!=0A>=0A>
=0A>-=0A>NOT excited to report a catastrophic engine failure on take off.
- This past =0A>Saturday I was departing my home field from rwy 36 and at
about 450 AGL my =0A>engine started to vibrate violently and then the prop
came to an abrupt halt =0A>just after I pushed the nose over and pulled th
e power (MAYBE two seconds from =0A>first indication of a problem till the
prop stopped).- I felt that I had enough =0A>altitude to execute a 180 (m
ore like a quick wing-over) and landed safely on =0A>18.- Lots of ground
up metal in the oil pan ,but no blood or anything in =0A>cockpit.- My gua
rdian angel was riding with me.- Really got my attention.- =0A>This-w
as the first flight-after a Thursday, 1.3 hr Xcountry at night.-- The
=0A>engine was a Stratus EA-81 and there were no warning signs that I was
aware of.- =0A>The engine was running fine, with all temps and oil pressu
re normal, then it =0A>wasn't running at all.- =0A>=0A>>-=0A>>- I hav
e removed the engine from the airframe and pulled the oil pan which is =0A>
>holding a double handful-of ground up metal bits and there's a hole in t
he top =0A>>of the case.- Also found about a half of a handful of bits in
the-muffler. -Not =0A>>sure at this time what caused it to come apart,
but I'll continue to try to find =0A>>out what happened.- May never know
for sure as many pieces as it seems to be =0A>>in.- Yall be careful and
know what you and you bird are capable of.=0A>>-=0A>>Andy F.=0A>>AVID C/M
ark IV Extended Speedwing=0A href="http://www.aeroelectric.com">www.aero
electric.com =0Ahref="http://www.buildersbooks.com">www.buildersbooks.com
=0Ahref="http://www.homebuilthelp.com">www.homebuilthelp.com =0Ahref="
http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/chref="ht
tp://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Stratus-List">http://www.matronics.com/Nav
igator?Stratus-List=0A href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.m
============= =0A
Message 5
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| Subject: | It Finally Happened to ME! |
Tim,
My water temperature was usually between 187 and 200. The difference being
winter to summer.
EGTs were most often 1350 to 1400 with excursions to 1450 on early efforts
to get control of the correct mixture.
Cars don't see the high rpms and cooling necessary for those rpms normally,
but good cooling and mixtures can
keep a Subaru running without problems.
Larry McFarland
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Tim
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 6:08 PM
Subject: Re: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
I have a question for Stratus users, what is your water temperature. I am
concerned that several people have had one or more instances of valve guide
failure while most do not. I too have a Stratus EA81 with over 200 hours on
it and my water runs at 190 degrees F, on long summer climb outs it can get
to 200 degrees. I did not like the cooling system design supplied by Zenith
and spent a year designing my own. Since this failure is not endemic in cars
my question is are many running at higher water temperature contributiong
to this problem.
Tim Shankland
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Fultz <mailto:andynfultz@bellsouth.net>
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 10:11 PM
Subject: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
NOT excited to report a catastrophic engine failure on take off. This past
Saturday I was departing my home field from rwy 36 and at about 450 AGL my
engine started to vibrate violently and then the prop came to an abrupt halt
just after I pushed the nose over and pulled the power (MAYBE two seconds
from first indication of a problem till the prop stopped). I felt that I
had enough altitude to execute a 180 (more like a quick wing-over) and
landed safely on 18. Lots of ground up metal in the oil pan ,but no blood
or anything in cockpit. My guardian angel was riding with me. Really got
my attention. This was the first flight after a Thursday, 1.3 hr Xcountry
at night. The engine was a Stratus EA-81 and there were no warning signs
that I was aware of. The engine was running fine, with all temps and oil
pressure normal, then it wasn't running at all.
I have removed the engine from the airframe and pulled the oil pan which
is holding a double handful of ground up metal bits and there's a hole in
the top of the case. Also found about a half of a handful of bits in the
muffler. Not sure at this time what caused it to come apart, but I'll
continue to try to find out what happened. May never know for sure as many
pieces as it seems to be in. Yall be careful and know what you and you bird
are capable of.
Andy F.
AVID C/Mark IV Extended Speedwing
href="http://www.aeroelectric.com">www.aeroelectric.com
href="http://www.buildersbooks.com">www.buildersbooks.com
href="http://www.homebuilthelp.com">www.homebuilthelp.com
href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/chref
<http://www.matronics.com/chref=%22http:/www.matronics.com/Navigator?Stratus
-List%22%3ehttp://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Stratus-List>
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avigator?Stratus-List
href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com
Message 6
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| Subject: | It Finally Happened to ME! |
Tim,
My 601HDS Ram modified Subaru is still running at Minneapolis MN, Crystal
Airport. I flew it for 200 hours over 7 years and expect it will for a long
time.
Ron has the best fix and solution to valve guides in an EA81. Very
reliable. When the heads get overly warm, the standard valve guides slip
right into the piston and
really can make a mess of things. The EGTs are a best last ditch solution
to monitoring engine health, i.e., mixture.
You should be able to easily tell if the valve guides were out of position
during examination of the heads. They won't go back in place once they touch
pistons.
Would like to know what you find out though.
Larry McFarland
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Andy Fultz
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 5:04 PM
Subject: RE: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
Hey Larry,
It was just a stock STRATUS conversion. I knew of a few instances of
valve guide problems, but did not realize that there were so many till mine
failed and I started really looking. I spoke with Ron Carr today and was
very impressed with what he had to say. I am headed to the airport now to
take the head off and have a look inside, but from what I could see with a
scope looking through the spark plug hole, there's not enough of the piston
left tell what happened. Is your RAM modified engine still in use? How
many hours?
Andy F.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Larry McFarland
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 9:13 AM
Subject: RE: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
Hi Andy,
Sorry to hear of your engine problems, but it would be very useful to other
Subaru users to know if you had the valve guides redone, or were they
dependent upon just circlips to secure the valve guides.
Ron at Ram Performance redid my valve guides and I've not heard of anyone
with his modification having trouble. Lots of failures with just circlips
though. Check your pistons to determine if the tops
were broken or fractured markedly. This is a most likely scenario for that
engine.
If you return to using the Subaru, I'd recommend you get the valve guide
work done, before flying it and add EGTs for each side. It's a good
barometer of your engine performance.
Larry McFarland 601HDS Stratus EA81
flying a Piper Cherokee now.
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Andy Fultz
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 9:23 PM
Subject: RE: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
In my haste to hit the send button I failed to tell you guys that the engine
is a STRAUTS EA-81 with 287 hours on it.
Andy F.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Andy Fultz
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 9:12 PM
Subject: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
NOT excited to report a catastrophic engine failure on take off. This past
Saturday I was departing my home field from rwy 36 and at about 450 AGL my
engine started to vibrate violently and then the prop came to an abrupt halt
just after I pushed the nose over and pulled the power (MAYBE two seconds
from first indication of a problem till the prop stopped). I felt that I
had enough altitude to execute a 180 (more like a quick wing-over) and
landed safely on 18. Lots of ground up metal in the oil pan ,but no blood
or anything in cockpit. My guardian angel was riding with me. Really got
my attention. This was the first flight after a Thursday, 1.3 hr Xcountry
at night. The engine was a Stratus EA-81 and there were no warning signs
that I was aware of. The engine was running fine, with all temps and oil
pressure normal, then it wasn't running at all.
I have removed the engine from the airframe and pulled the oil pan which
is holding a double handful of ground up metal bits and there's a hole in
the top of the case. Also found about a half of a handful of bits in the
muffler. Not sure at this time what caused it to come apart, but I'll
continue to try to find out what happened. May never know for sure as many
pieces as it seems to be in. Yall be careful and know what you and you bird
are capable of.
Andy F.
AVID C/Mark IV Extended Speedwing
href="http://www.aeroelectric.com">www.aeroelectric.com
href="http://www.buildersbooks.com">www.buildersbooks.com
href="http://www.homebuilthelp.com">www.homebuilthelp.com
href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/chref
<http://www.matronics.com/chref=%22http:/www.matronics.com/Navigator?Stratus
-List%22%3ehttp://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Stratus-List>
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avigator?Stratus-List
href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com
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Message 7
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| Subject: | RE: It Finally Happened to ME! Update |
Well guys here's what I have found after pulling the head on the affected
side this afternoon. The number 2 cyl exhaust valve stem broke just below
the valve head. There is absolutely no sign of any problem with the guides.
Once that valve was loose in the cylinder much damage followed. The
cylinder wall has an extra hole in it and I suspect that sent metal into the
water pump impellor causing damage there. The connecting rod on the number 2
cylinder is bent 90 degrees just aft of the wrist pin connection and that's
when she stopped turning. Inside the cylinder were two golf ball size
pieces of the piston and the wrist pin which looks good as new. Amazing what
did and did not get chewed up. Now I wish I had an answer to the big
question. What caused the valve to break? May never know, but I'd like to
hear what yall may think might have caused a valve to break.
Andy F.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Larry McFarland
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 7:46 PM
To: stratus-list@matronics.com
Subject: RE: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
Tim,
My 601HDS Ram modified Subaru is still running at Minneapolis MN, Crystal
Airport. I flew it for 200 hours over 7 years and expect it will for a long
time.
Ron has the best fix and solution to valve guides in an EA81. Very
reliable. When the heads get overly warm, the standard valve guides slip
right into the piston and
really can make a mess of things. The EGTs are a best last ditch solution
to monitoring engine health, i.e., mixture.
You should be able to easily tell if the valve guides were out of position
during examination of the heads. They won't go back in place once they touch
pistons.
Would like to know what you find out though.
Larry McFarland
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Andy Fultz
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 5:04 PM
To: stratus-list@matronics.com
Subject: RE: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
Hey Larry,
It was just a stock STRATUS conversion. I knew of a few instances of
valve guide problems, but did not realize that there were so many till mine
failed and I started really looking. I spoke with Ron Carr today and was
very impressed with what he had to say. I am headed to the airport now to
take the head off and have a look inside, but from what I could see with a
scope looking through the spark plug hole, there's not enough of the piston
left tell what happened. Is your RAM modified engine still in use? How
many hours?
Andy F.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Larry McFarland
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 9:13 AM
To: stratus-list@matronics.com
Subject: RE: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
Hi Andy,
Sorry to hear of your engine problems, but it would be very useful to
other Subaru users to know if you had the valve guides redone, or were they
dependent upon just circlips to secure the valve guides.
Ron at Ram Performance redid my valve guides and I've not heard of
anyone with his modification having trouble. Lots of failures with just
circlips though. Check your pistons to determine if the tops
were broken or fractured markedly. This is a most likely scenario for
that engine.
If you return to using the Subaru, I'd recommend you get the valve
guide work done, before flying it and add EGTs for each side. It's a good
barometer of your engine performance.
Larry McFarland 601HDS Stratus EA81
flying a Piper Cherokee now.
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Andy Fultz
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 9:23 PM
To: stratus-list@matronics.com
Subject: RE: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
In my haste to hit the send button I failed to tell you guys that the
engine is a STRAUTS EA-81 with 287 hours on it.
Andy F.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-stratus-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Andy Fultz
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 9:12 PM
To: stratus-list@matronics.com; avid_flyer@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Stratus-List: It Finally Happened to ME!
NOT excited to report a catastrophic engine failure on take off.
This past Saturday I was departing my home field from rwy 36 and at about
450 AGL my engine started to vibrate violently and then the prop came to an
abrupt halt just after I pushed the nose over and pulled the power (MAYBE
two seconds from first indication of a problem till the prop stopped). I
felt that I had enough altitude to execute a 180 (more like a quick
wing-over) and landed safely on 18. Lots of ground up metal in the oil pan
,but no blood or anything in cockpit. My guardian angel was riding with me.
Really got my attention. This was the first flight after a Thursday, 1.3 hr
Xcountry at night. The engine was a Stratus EA-81 and there were no
warning signs that I was aware of. The engine was running fine, with all
temps and oil pressure normal, then it wasn't running at all.
I have removed the engine from the airframe and pulled the oil pan
which is holding a double handful of ground up metal bits and there's a hole
in the top of the case. Also found about a half of a handful of bits in the
muffler. Not sure at this time what caused it to come apart, but I'll
continue to try to find out what happened. May never know for sure as many
pieces as it seems to be in. Yall be careful and know what you and you bird
are capable of.
Andy F.
AVID C/Mark IV Extended Speedwing
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