Hi Roly
I had an almost identical experience flying a PA28 from Redhill. Applied
full power, which I got until I was 50' off the ground and out of runway.
Engine spluttered, throttled back, it ran fine. However, not enough power to
clear the hill so put it down in the overshoot. At the time I thought it was
carb ice, but I later diacovered that it was a poorly fitted fuel union that
leaked and thus allowed air into the fuel system whilst the electric and
mechanical pumps were active. The plane had just come out of maintenance!
So I think that your theory is quite sound.
Cheers
Ed
on 20/5/03 7:49 pm, Roland Robinson@tiscali.co.uk at
roland.robinson@tiscali.co.uk wrote:
> <roland.robinson@tiscali.co.uk>
>
> I had a recent bad experience with a Europa just after take-off that I
> eventually traced to what I believe is an original fuel line supplied by the
> factory. I had completed the annual inspection, which obviously included
> removing and cleaning the fuel filters, I flight tested the plane (at full
> all up weight) and flew for a couple more hours with no problems, then I set
> out for some circuits (I am low hours on type) - first circuit no problem,
> second circuit just after take-off engine started to run rough, it felt
> almost as if it were on two cylinders. I closed the throttle and looked at
> getting it back on the runway (I operate from Kemble that has a V long
> runway) but was too late. I was picking my field when my friend flying with
> me suggested trying the throttle again I did and the engine responded - for
> a while and then ran rough again. We repeated this for a few times and
> gained enough height to make the cross runway. When we finally got the Pan
> call in the engine of course ran fine on reduced throttle. On landing and
> carrying out some power checks the only discrepancy we could find was a
> approx 200rpm loss in max revs.
>
> Many checks followed dirt in the tank, float bowls, drained tanks, boroscope
> in tank, check filters again!!- nothing. However when replacing the filters
> we noticed that there was a short split in the fuel line. In its dark and
> dingy corner under the seat this was not easy to spot. The lines were
> replaced, fuel pressure gauges added and we gingerly went for a test flight.
> The problem has not recurred.
>
> Why did the problem not occur immediately - here is my theory. I started the
> test and subsequent flights with full tanks. As the fuel level dropped the
> suction head on the pump reduced and the pump eventually drew air from the
> split in the pipe. (I have since run with less fuel than I normally would to
> test that this would not happen again). The engine recovered as the
> throttle was closed as the fuel demand reduced the pump demand reduced.
>
> Any other theories out there??
>
> Roly Robinson G-CHAV (Now at Gloucester)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Brian Davies" <bdavies@dircon.co.uk>
> To: <europa-list@matronics.com>
> Subject: Re: Europa-List: Fuel Outlet Rubber Hose Replacement
>
>
>>
>> Europa have changed the hose it supplies, because of poor experience with
>> the existing. The type provided with my kit was quite thin and flexible
> and
>> cloth braided on the outside. I consulted some auto repair mates and they
>> said they would not fit it on a car because it would start leaking after a
>> couple of years.
>> The stuff Europa supplied with the fuel drain mod kit was clearly
> superior.
>> I suggest you check with the factory on the spec of the hose they are now
>> supplying or replace with good quality auto hose.
>>
>> Brian Davies kit 454
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Tony Renshaw" <tonyrenshaw@ozemail.com.au>
>> To: <europa-list@matronics.com>
>> Subject: Europa-List: Fuel Outlet Rubber Hose Replacement
>>
>>
>> <tonyrenshaw@ozemail.com.au>
>>>
>>> Gidday,
>>> I am wondering if the Europa supplied hose is adaquate for this task, as
>>> mine appears to gape around the reinforcement at the outer edge of the
>> hose
>>> clamp. This may well be normal, but it makes me wonder whether there is
> a
>>> better quality hose available. Any assistance will certainly be
>> appreciated.
>>> Reg
>>> Tony Renshaw
>>> Sydney Australia
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
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