Register Now

AngryDragonfly · 05-04-2014, 10:47 PM

I got distracted today and missed my fuel clamp check before taking off. I flew for 2-3 mins with a few aggressive moves. Came down to check fuel level and it leaned out heavily, so I set it down and turned it off. That's when I discovered the mistake. It is an O.S. 105HZ-R so the regulator was still able to pull fuel for some time.

I got home and took off the muffler and back plate. There didn't seem to be any obvious signs of damage on the piston (muffler side) or what I could see with the back plate off . I'll probably still take it completely apart to make sure, but has anyone done this before? Anything specific I should look for to determine if the engine is damaged? Any suggestions on what I should do now (drop some after run or transmission fluid in it)?

Thanks!

dchekas · 05-05-2014, 03:52 PM

Your engine ran for 2-3 minutes with the fuel line clamped leading into the carburetor?

I'd be shocked if it ran for more than a few seconds if that's the case. Maybe were missig something here?

If your ring is black, and there's no vertical scoring on the piston, you're probably ok. Check your plug for any signs of lean.

RontaryUS · 05-05-2014, 06:11 PM

I am also surprised with the 2-3 minutes unless you have extremely long fuel lines you clumped well ahead of the engine...A regulator give you few more seconds until it burns the fuel it retained indeed but not 3 minutes. Check the engine as Dchekas suggested or just go fly and if the tuning and idle are same as before, no overheating, same performance and no weird noise you should be fine (at your own risk though

).

AngryDragonfly · 05-06-2014, 09:28 AM

Thank you for your replies. The guys at the local heli shop had heard of it happening before. They took a look at the engine and thought it was still ok. I'm just a bit paranoid because I'm a noob and bought this heli used. About 20 flights after I bought it, the engine made some racket and it turned out shrapnel from a worn rear bearing scarred up the piston and sleeve, so I've already had an expensive repair.

They recommended I just remove the clamp considering it isn't doing me any good (other than refueling) since I have a regulator, so this shouldn't happen again.

05-04-2014, 10:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
AngryDragonfly Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2014	Accidentally left fuel line clamped...am I ok? I got distracted today and missed my fuel clamp check before taking off. I flew for 2-3 mins with a few aggressive moves. Came down to check fuel level and it leaned out heavily, so I set it down and turned it off. That's when I discovered the mistake. It is an O.S. 105HZ-R so the regulator was still able to pull fuel for some time. I got home and took off the muffler and back plate. There didn't seem to be any obvious signs of damage on the piston (muffler side) or what I could see with the back plate off . I'll probably still take it completely apart to make sure, but has anyone done this before? Anything specific I should look for to determine if the engine is damaged? Any suggestions on what I should do now (drop some after run or transmission fluid in it)? Thanks!

05-05-2014, 03:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
dchekas Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Sep 2006	Your engine ran for 2-3 minutes with the fuel line clamped leading into the carburetor? I'd be shocked if it ran for more than a few seconds if that's the case. Maybe were missig something here? If your ring is black, and there's no vertical scoring on the piston, you're probably ok. Check your plug for any signs of lean. __________________ Team Align Enterprise Hobby Facebook Align Part Finder YouTube Channel

05-05-2014, 06:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
RontaryUS Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2013	I am also surprised with the 2-3 minutes unless you have extremely long fuel lines you clumped well ahead of the engine...A regulator give you few more seconds until it burns the fuel it retained indeed but not 3 minutes. Check the engine as Dchekas suggested or just go fly and if the tuning and idle are same as before, no overheating, same performance and no weird noise you should be fine (at your own risk though).

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-06-2014, 09:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
AngryDragonfly Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Apr 2014	Thank you for your replies. The guys at the local heli shop had heard of it happening before. They took a look at the engine and thought it was still ok. I'm just a bit paranoid because I'm a noob and bought this heli used. About 20 flights after I bought it, the engine made some racket and it turned out shrapnel from a worn rear bearing scarred up the piston and sleeve, so I've already had an expensive repair. They recommended I just remove the clamp considering it isn't doing me any good (other than refueling) since I have a regulator, so this shouldn't happen again.

Register Now

Log-in