Hi everyone..I own a Christen Eagle which has been sitting in a heated hangar in Boise, ID since Oct 1 last year. I am about to fly it again, but I am concerned about what will happen to it when I fly it again. Has the long period of inactivity harmed the engine (or other systems)? What should I do to minimize damage to the engine when I start it up for the first time? I know that most acro airplanes sit for some time during the winter months...The airplane has 220 hrs on it, completed in '98. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Dan
Well, a lot has to do with what you did when you last flew it I'm afraid as well as the enviroment in the hangar.For example, for long periods of storage you would normally fly long enough (1/2 hour or so) to get the engine hot enough to evaporate out all the condensation from the oil.
Land, change the oil (for the amount of time were talking about here perhaps a preservative oil like Aeroshell 2F, see note a bottom), fill the fuel tanks (to prevent condensation there), and perhaps pull the battery and have it on a trickle charger.
When ready, put the battery in, give the airfarame a good pre-flight, sump the tanks, and start up. Fly again for a bit, land, and put regular oil in.
If there is any doubts in your mind, you could have an A&P look inside a sparkplug hole witha borescope to see if there is any rust on the cylinders etc.
Heres a note about Aeroshell 2F from Shell : AEROSHELL Fluid 2F is normally used as a preservation grade engine oil for the internal preservation of engines or engine parts and accessories during moderate outdoor to long term indoor storage periods. This oil can also be used as a "flyaway" oil for reciprocating engines, however, operation of engines preserved with the diluted material should be limited to a maximum of fifty hours before oil change. The engine to be preserved should be filled to normal capacity with AEROSHELL Fluid 2F and then run at the idle until the engine reaches normal operating temperature (approx. 10-15 minutes)
My 2 cents for what its worth.
Dave Hamblin
(formerly DaveH on old site!)
Dan, I wouldn't worry about flying your bird too much after the layoff. I used to keep my Pitts and Decathalon both in Alaska, no hangars, and with proper pre-heating or proper oil temp on warm up, they performed just fine and I had no engine problems. Don't baby the engine when you fly it either...and it should do just fine (disclaimer: assuming it was fine to begin with!).
Patty