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Re: [Flying] 914 Hot Start problem

Subject: Re: [Flying] 914 Hot Start problem
From: John & Paddy Wigney <johnwigney@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2002 15:06:50
 Hi Paul,

I think the item you are referring to is TCP. See Alcor's web page at <<
http://www.alcorinc.com/DOCS/1/tcp.html >>. I have used 100LL from Day 1
and started adding TCP recently but do not have enough time with it to
make any comment. My total time is at around 100hours. I believe some
other Europaphiles have used TCP but may now be opting for Autofuel.

---From Alcor's FAQ page :-
<<<<What does TCP do?
TCP is a lead scavenger. During combustion TCP converts tetraethyl lead
to lead phosphate.
Is TCP compatible with auto fuel?
Yes, it has been used in auto fuel as an ingredient in the past, but auto
fuel contains no lead, therefore you will not get the lead scavenging
benefits.
What does TCP stand for?
TCP is the acronym for tricresyl phosphate. >>>>

It can be obtained from Aircraft Spruce and other sources.

HOWEVER, BE CAREFUL. After poking around on the Google search engine with
"alcor tcp", I found the following at
http://www.napanet.net/~arbeau/swift/octane.htm :-
<<--- but a word of caution. You should be aware that the substance is
noxious and is transdermal with serious complications for your innards.
This means that you don't want to get it on your skin, eyes, etc., at any
cost. Fumes are a serious health risk also. Not to mention that the stuff
has the potential to be extremely explosive under certain conditions.
Sooooo, what worries me is carrying it in an airplane. In fact, if you
read the label Alcor warns against carrying it aboard the airplane.
Actually, that recommendation came about due to a can exploding inside a
C-172 with two fatalities. Using it in your hangar, with latex gloves,
maybe a respirator, and good ventilation, it works as advertised, but the
potential hazards must not be ignored. >>
---From the above, it is obviously not appropriate to carry TCP in a plane -
at least not in the usual thin wall tin containers. I store ready use
quantities of the TCP in a heavy wall aluminum camping fuel container
(about 1 pint size).

Cheers, John
N262WF, mono XS, 912S

Paul Boulet wrote:

  Using auto fuel is all good and well but when on a long cross country
  it's not possible. I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my 914
  engine for installation and believe there is a product you add to the
  fuel tank of avgas to eliminate the lead somehow
  Paul Boulet A212, Malibu, CA
  "STOUT, GARRY V, CSFF2" wrote:Jim,

  Do you have a preference for what "brand" of auto gas to use? Do you
  filter the gas for water and contaminants and if so, have you ever
  found water or rubbish in the gas?

  Garry V. Stout

  District Manager, AT&T Business Services
  Phone: 813-878-3929 Fax 813-878-5651

  *****Please note new e-mail address******

  -----Original Message-----
  Subject: Re:  [Flying] 914 Hot Start problem

  Tony.

  I had about the same problem with hot starts after about 100 hours
  running
  on 100 LL. (aviation fuel).

  We located the cause in the carb float jet. Lead had accumulated
  around the
  needle valve and jet in the fuel bowl. Normally after the fuel bowl
  fills
  up when the pump is turned on the needle valve shuts off the fuel. In
  my
  case the lead was not allowing the fuel flow to be completely shut
  off, and
  as the pump was running, fuel was going into the induction system,
  flooding
  the engine on a hot start.

  Also on a different note we also checked the gearbox while doing the
  above
  and found that lead had accumulated on the clutches. these were also
  cleaned.

  Once we cleaned the jets, the problem went away. At that point in
  time I
  also started using auto fuel, and in the last 300 plus hours we have
  had no
  further problems. The 914 just does not like 100LL. For those of you
  running 914's use auto fuel you will save your self lots of grief.

  Jim Brown
  N398JB

  "Tony S. Krzyzewski" wrote:

  > We've got a 914 power Europa here in NZ with XS cowlings. All works
  well
  > until you try to start the engine when it's hot - at which point it
  > becomes totally uncooperative. Ambient temperatures are in the mid
  teens
  > (celcius!).
  >
  > I recall that some earlier builders had the same issue. Was there a
  > resolution?
  >
  > Regards
  >
  > Tony


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