engine quits on takeoff - check yer corks
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:40 pm
N4032V 1948 C170
While doing T&G at Ontario OR(ono) checking it out for a long Xtry to Tillamook(tmk) the next day, the C145 got really quiet at about 400ft. est. glide, checklist, picked a small field and knew I wouldn't get hurt, but didn't want to bend it. These AC really glide! Don't know why, but pushed throttle full and it started, then died. Sooo let's do that again! After doing this 4 or 5 times, was able to turn and land on the old closed Xwind Rwy and stopped after 500 ft. My best ever landing and no observers of course. Engine was still running, so taxied across Rwy and shut down at the FBO. Could find no problem. After 10 minutes and trouser change, Did a normal runup and put it away. My A&P and I pulled the carb and found the needle seat packed with white powder. Drained all the fuel, finally pulled the fuel guages an found the cork floats had shrunk and the shellac would flake off in chunks and easily go thru the screens! Had the guages rebuilt with composit floats. You'd think thes things would last more than 60 years> The A&P said I did exactly right thing and pulling the primer could work also. Have owned this AC for 18 years and the only thing that scares me is that I never got scared. SO - CHECK YER CORKS1 BILL HART billhart@oregoncoast.com
While doing T&G at Ontario OR(ono) checking it out for a long Xtry to Tillamook(tmk) the next day, the C145 got really quiet at about 400ft. est. glide, checklist, picked a small field and knew I wouldn't get hurt, but didn't want to bend it. These AC really glide! Don't know why, but pushed throttle full and it started, then died. Sooo let's do that again! After doing this 4 or 5 times, was able to turn and land on the old closed Xwind Rwy and stopped after 500 ft. My best ever landing and no observers of course. Engine was still running, so taxied across Rwy and shut down at the FBO. Could find no problem. After 10 minutes and trouser change, Did a normal runup and put it away. My A&P and I pulled the carb and found the needle seat packed with white powder. Drained all the fuel, finally pulled the fuel guages an found the cork floats had shrunk and the shellac would flake off in chunks and easily go thru the screens! Had the guages rebuilt with composit floats. You'd think thes things would last more than 60 years> The A&P said I did exactly right thing and pulling the primer could work also. Have owned this AC for 18 years and the only thing that scares me is that I never got scared. SO - CHECK YER CORKS1 BILL HART billhart@oregoncoast.com
where to get them and how much......