OUCH ! Engine failure ?

[facthunter]

If you look at a two stroke you could be forgiven for wondering how it would ever run. When it stops it may be equally mysterious as to why it isn't running. (unless the rings have been spat out the exhaust port). Nev

 

 

[Phil Perry]

If you look at a two stroke you could be forgiven for wondering how it would ever run. When it stops it may be equally mysterious as to why it isn't running. (unless the rings have been spat out the exhaust port). Nev

I agree, they are a fun - filled box of bolts generally Nev,. . . . Although out of all the sudden stop events I've experienced with two strokes, only one remained a mystery, where the thing started up perfectly after landing, and the fault did not present itself again. This was a concern for some time and resulted in a complete tear down / rebuild of the engine ( Rotax 462 LC ) where absolutely nothing could be found and established as a cause for the in - flight stoppage.

 

All other failures had a deifinite reason following close investigation; some fairly simple, others not so obvious. They really ARE a pretty simple piece of kit and most problems are usually the ancillaries, ignition, fuel supply, coil failures, exhasut stacks falling off. . . . I have not had the honour of a four stroke failure as yet, they DO seem pretty reliable in my experience;. . . if well maintained of course.

 

 

[facthunter]

They appeal on the basis of having few moving parts. When operating they are very critical of settings, (timing and mixture) and clearances and lubrication and fuel quality, particularly when highly tuned. I've never had one fail but I'm very particular (usually, I do have lapses against my better judgement) about which engines I fly behind. The way some operate them is a disaster. I've seen them with so little compression they would probably creep over slowly when parked into the wind. (worse than some lawnmowers for condition). They are becoming rare now a days which is a pity as they have a good power to weight ratio.

 

Many pilots have no feel for the plane or the engine and it's care. I've had many BIG Radials fail and they have good names on the crankcase but like all things when they get old they don't perform as well as when they were new.Nev

 

 

[Litespeed]

From the comfort of my Antipodean armchair, the reasons for his, descent speed, flight profile and landing spot are bleeding obvious.

 

As we all know, when faced with a engine failure in such a machine a secondary safety factor immediately is faced.....

 

The loss of seal on the sphincter valve, as such the obvious landing spot for safety will be the "Bog".

 

As as anyone knows when this happens you are in a damn hurry to get there.