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Thread: Got a head scratcher here... any ideas?

  1. #11
    efrench's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got a head scratcher here... any ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by Pacerfgoe View Post
    I would also check for a cracked cylinder head, look closely around the spark plugs for any sign of oil or cracks. I don't think 320's are prone to this but you can also look for a crack at the cylinder head to barrel area.
    I found cracks around my plugs once when signs of oil leaks appeared.

    New cylinders at overhaul or did you go with overhauled cylinders?
    Thanks, New Titans with OH.
    "If you do something; something else will happen. Don't wiggle the controls" Jim Alsip; EAA Webinar Oct 2015

  2. #12
    efrench's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got a head scratcher here... any ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gilbert Pierce View Post
    I had a prop seal leak. Pulley and flywheel both dry. Bottom and top of engine front case oily and drips off starter.
    Interesting. I'll look at that a bit closer. Top is oil free, bottom is oiled and seems to drip from the starter and onto the Sutton Exhaust. Looks like it is getting into the nose bowl and then running down the bottom cowl. Sump is clean as is accessory / firewall'
    Last edited by efrench; 06-18-2017 at 12:09 PM.
    "If you do something; something else will happen. Don't wiggle the controls" Jim Alsip; EAA Webinar Oct 2015

  3. #13
    efrench's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got a head scratcher here... any ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by smcnutt View Post
    Wet or dry vacuum pump? We had an issue where we thought we had oil coming out of the engine breather tube. Did all sorts of things to fix that but still had oil getting all over. Finally I wire-tied a coke can on the breather tube to confirm that is where it was coming from. Turns out it was actually the wet vacuum pump vent line that was a foot away.

    Once the oil hits the airflow it can look like it's coming from anywhere. Good luck.
    Wet vacuum, soon to be no vacuum I hope! Thanks. I'll look at that.
    "If you do something; something else will happen. Don't wiggle the controls" Jim Alsip; EAA Webinar Oct 2015

  4. #14
    Gilbert Pierce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got a head scratcher here... any ideas?

    Pull the prop and look closely at the seal. It and and the visible part of the bore and prop shaft should be DRY.

  5. #15
    efrench's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got a head scratcher here... any ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gilbert Pierce View Post
    Pull the prop and look closely at the seal. It and and the visible part of the bore and prop shaft should be DRY.
    Thank you. On the agenda for today.
    "If you do something; something else will happen. Don't wiggle the controls" Jim Alsip; EAA Webinar Oct 2015

  6. #16
    efrench's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got a head scratcher here... any ideas?

    Ok, 95% certainty that the leak is the front seal. I pulled the prop, nose bowl and flywheel, and then it was quite apparent that it was the source of the leak. Everything else was clean, but the seal was wet and oil ran down the front of the case.

    Thank you all for the suggestions. I pretty much talked myself out of the front seal because the pulley and prop were dry. Lesson learned! Cheers!
    "If you do something; something else will happen. Don't wiggle the controls" Jim Alsip; EAA Webinar Oct 2015

  7. #17
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    Default Re: Got a head scratcher here... any ideas?

    Wanted to make sure you have this info for the job......
    https://www.lycoming.com/sites/defau...il%20Seals.pdf
    Mark Ohlau
    PA-20 N7744K 2023 Donation Paid

  8. #18
    efrench's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got a head scratcher here... any ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by pa20 View Post
    Wanted to make sure you have this info for the job......
    https://www.lycoming.com/sites/defau...il%20Seals.pdf
    Awesome! Thanks.
    "If you do something; something else will happen. Don't wiggle the controls" Jim Alsip; EAA Webinar Oct 2015

  9. #19

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    Default Re: Got a head scratcher here... any ideas?

    Leaking prop seal? Most likely bad crank bearing...,cracked cylinder heads and worn out spark plugs. Oh and fretted crank case. Ha!! Just kidding. I seem to always think the worst.

  10. #20
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    Default Re: Got a head scratcher here... any ideas?

    Use lots of duct tape around the prop flange to protect the new seal.
    I see Lycoming has changed the recommended sealant once again.
    Last edited by Gilbert Pierce; 06-18-2017 at 08:42 PM.

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