vk3awa

Also take into account the propeller and airframe. "Standard" Jabiru jetting is for their airframe/prop combination. Variations will cause different loads on the engine requiring changes in jetting to compensate for non "standard". I run a 19 reg aircraft that has been fitted with various props over its life. Each time I fit another type of prop I have to rejet the carby to give me the optimum A/F mixture. How do I know the A/F mixture is different for each prop....... I measure it in flight at various RPM and plot a graph when I'm back on the ground.

The cooling of the fine finned heads is not normally an issue. If the engine has the old style broad finned heads then why not upgrade to Jab fine finned heads rather than Liquid Cooled Heads.

Theoretical Scenario Lets say that if there was a problem in the inherent design of some hydraulic engines that caused through bolt failures due to mechanical valve timing not being the optimum. This poor valve timing could cause detonation, then crankcase halves fretting then through bolt failure. The poor valve timing could also allow valve overlap where combustion gases are allowed into the inlet port causing build up on the valve stems, eventually build up on valve stem causes valve to jam in guide, piston hits valve......catastrophic engine failure. (Not with the latest pistons with valve relief) I'm not saying this is what's happening, its just a theoretical scenario that points out that no matter how well an engine is maintained, if there is an underlying design fault, the best maintenance practices may not prevent failure caused by the design fault.

My choice would be a Lycoming 235 in my Jabiru. I think there was some talk of someone installing these engines in Jabiru aircraft. Not sure if it ever transpired.

I see on FaceBook that Rod Stiff and Sue Woods have arrived in Canberra with Legal representative to attend a meeting with Casa tomorrow morning.

The first version of the J170 can exceed aft C of G limit if the baggage loading limits are not carefully adhered to. The J230 has a broader W & B envelope.

W & B calculations require the initial empty weight and moment arm as a starting point. (Different for each aircraft - check your maintenance logbook) Once this data is entered then it becomes a reference point for all other data calculations. ie pilot/fuel/luggage weights & moment arms. Rather than clutter up this thread, if you require further help with entering the correct figures in Ozrunways send me an email and I will give you a hand. Cheers Daryl [email protected]

"Another post mentioned 'fretting' (galling?) on the case halves' faces, that means lateral movement must be taking place. Are these case halves not dowelled? If they're not, and they're relying on the bolts to prevent lateral motion I would say that the bolts could develop harmonic vibrations because they're not a reamed and tight fit I imagine (?) and if they're vibrating and high tensile be a likely reason for them to fatigue and snap even if they're well enough sized to satisfy the initial bolting forces required." I think you are on the money. 1. It was a rare event for solid lifter engines to break through bolts or fret crankcase halves. 2. With the introduction of hydraulic lifter engines, through bolts were breaking and crankcase halves were fretting with some regularity. (Usually after 300+ hours of operation (first generation hyd. engines)) Jabiru have done a great job in developing a fantastic Australian product. I'm sure they have the best intention when making changes in both airframe & engine in the name of developing a better product. They don't have a sqillion dollars to spend on development and at times have released a product out into the wide world, that with time, has proved to be not as good as they had predicted. Welcome to the R&D department. PS the crankcase halves are dowelled but much more attention is given during engine rebuilds (and I would expect new engines) in having a closer tolerance fit.

Motz, Unfortunately my "educated guess" is the bolt possibly would have. The root cause of the bolt failures is probably not the bolts or nuts. The 12 point nuts were implemented to stop through bolt failure....do they.....in your experience (and others) Unfortunately not. I'm a cynic so I will go out on a limb and say the 12 point nuts may have been implemented to appease authorities.

Apologies J170 Owner.....you did post a question. As we all know, Jabiru have had many variants in the evolution of their engines. With some of these variants sometimes a change in long term reliability occurs. As an example, the change from solid lifters to hydraulics utilising the existing 330 degrees cam, in hindsight, may not have been a great move. It probably caused many problems, some of which are still being suffered today....ie broken through-bolt perhaps. Over time, the hydraulic lifter production engine has been changed by the factory to address issues and try to get some long term reliability back into their engines. As some of the older engines time expire, for whatever reason, my belief is we should see an improvement in reliability with perhaps the possibility of seeing 1000 hour TBO's without major issues being the norm. I'm a long time Jabiru builder/owner/pilot/L2 (I am still flying my 3300 taildragger Jabiru I started building in 2001) I am certainly a fan but have a fair insight into some of the engine's limitations/shortcomings. (depending on variant) The piston circlip issue you mention is another story. 73's VK3AWA

I have to say I'm staggered by this off the cuff comment......I'm hoping it was tongue in cheek. "Looking after an engine better" is not going to stop failures due to inherent design problems.

Shell 100W+

I agree with Adam. Very important to check wheel alignment with the emphasis on toe in/out. You did mention it was hard to keep directional control with the tail up. I had a similar issue with my jabiru taildragger until I aligned the mains. Cheers Daryl

Is bizillion more or less than giziilion? .... G'day Brent.

Kev, There are a few ham/aviators here in Gippsland. I'm not really active except for "computer" modes. I have a "listen" on EchoLink (VOIP). I run APRS in the car and the Jabiru. See my webpage (Daryl's Web Page) to check out my whereabouts on APRS. Good luck with the aviating. CHEERS Daryl de VK3AWA

J160 - First Flight Congratulations.

NICE VIDEO Enjoyed the video. Where was it shot? Cheers Daryl

YAK ATTACK Pictures taken of a visiting YAK at Latrobe Valley Airfield late June. Daryl

PICS FROM WEST SALE Pictures attached were taken a week ago when we had an impromptu flyin to my hangar at West Sale in Victoria. All the Jabiru's in the pics are based at Latrobe Valley Vic. Cheers Daryl

Hi All, Anyone got a recommendation for an insurance company that provides reasonably priced hangar liability insurance. I have my hangar on leased land from the local shire. Part of the lease agreement requires me to have $10,000,000 liabilty insurance. Jeeez talk about user pays! THANKS Daryl

OK, Over a couple of days I have had no reply to my original posting. This may indicate that there is a possibility there has not been a lot of attention given to this area during routine maintenance. I have to say, I'm also guilty of not paying attention to this until I found I could wobble one of the tubes. I then checked the 5 other intake tubes and they were all loose. The intake tubes are 'O' ring sealed in the plenum chamber and as a secondary seal a gasket cement (Loctite Gasket 2) is used. This gasket cement hardens over time, becomes brittle, cracks and fails to seal. This, in my opinion, gives the possibility of leaks in the induction system as the 'O' ring seal alone may not do the job 100%. The fix is to remove each tube, clean up all the old gasket sealant reapply sealant then refit each tube. This is a simple process as the tubes can be rotated to clear the ajoining intake pipe to each cylinder and removed. They are only a push fit into the plennum chamber. If you have any questions on the above, feel free to contact me. Cheers Daryl [email protected]

G'day Group, The compound used to seal the intake manifold pipes in the plennum is Loctite gasket 2. After several years of operation, the compound went hard and brittle on my engine and I removed all the tubes, cleaned everything up and resealed the tubes in the plennum. My question is has anyone used a different compound to seal the pipes and if so the long term success? THANKS in anticipation. Daryl Jabiru SPT-3300

Engine Tuning Service Bulletin updated to SB-0180-01 (See jab web site)

300 hour leakdown figures Just finished a leakdown test yesterday @ 300 hours. Cylinders 1-5 all around 80/73 (Same as when engine was brand spanking) Cylinder 6 80/50 (leaky inlet valve) Cheers Daryl Jabiru SPT-3300 (19-3587)

Andy, The other issue regarding your cold cranking may be your starter motor. My original starter was a 1Kw identified by the starter having a black body. The newer starters are a silver body and are rated at 1.5Kw. The difference in my 3300 Jab in cold starting is huge after upgrading to the newer starter motor. I used to cross my fingers during first start on a cold morning as to whether I would get enough cranking speed. Upgraded the started and and haven't had a problem since. There is an upgrade kit available from Jabiru. You retain the gear and pinion and replace the starter body. CHEERS Daryl