Sonex fuel
Hello again Sonextalk, AeroVee, and JabiruEngines eGroups-
There has been some discussion lately on these lists about a hesitation,
burp, or hiccup that a few pilots have experienced with the AeroCarb or
AeroInjector installation. This note has some tips from the Sonex Factory on
how this can be eliminated. Sonex does not experience this with any of our 8
factory AeroCarb/AeroInjector installations. As always, we highly recommend
following the Installation Manuals as closely as possible to achieve our
same level of success and reliability.
The AeroInjector (or AeroCarb) is a simple machine. All it does is mix the
fuel delivered by the fuel system with the air that is drawn by the engine's
intake strokes. It cannot direct fuel to a specific cylinder to control EGTs
and it cannot change the quality or content of the fuel it receives by
sifting out debris or vapor.
The "burp" some installations are experiencing is without question a vapor
bubble passing through the AeroInjector, resulting in a momentary lean
mixture for a single cylinder. If you are experiencing anything more than a
momentary hesitation you likely have a tuning issue that needs to be
addressed: adjust the valves, inspect the fuel system, verify ignition
system is functioning, check fuel pressure regulator setting if so equipped,
revisit the AeroInjector's tuning, confirm the quality of the fuel being
used, etc. We recommend all engine troubleshooting be done using 100LL in
the fuel tank as this eliminates poor fuel quality as a possible cause and
provides the highest vapor pressure.
Anything that can introduce vapor into the fuel supply is a possible source
for the hesitation. This may be the routing of the fuel lines, a low vapor
temperature fuel (autogas), or a heat source raising the fuel's temperature
to and above its vapor temperature. However, as the AeroInjector does not
have a float, instead of the vapor stopping your engine altogether it will
pass through the AeroInjector and cause the miss some of you are
experiencing but will not cause a full engine stoppage.
The more complicated your fuel system is the higher the likelihood of fuel
vapors forming. We continue to work with one customer that has a highly
complex fuel system which includes multiple pumps, many, many feet of fuel
line under the cowl, high spots in the fuel line, and an AeroInjector
mounted fractions of an inch above a muffler. If the AeroInjector gets too
hot it can be the source of the fuel turning to vapor.
So what can you do to reduce or eliminate vapor?
1. Keep your fuel flowing downhill as much as possible. The tank vent should
be the highest point of your fuel system and ideally the fuel system will be
all down hill from there, allowing the inevitable air bubbles to back up the
fuel line and exit through the tank vent. Rises in your fuel line anywhere
between the fuel tank and the AeroInjector are nothing more than traps for
vapor, vapor which will likely get entrained in the fuel and carried to the
AeroInjector.
2. Simplify your fuel system (most of our factory aircraft are flying
without a gascolator, though you still need a filter and low spot to collect
and drain water)
3. Use 100LL
4. Keep heat-generating ground running to a minimum
5. Insulate your fuel lines
6. Wrap your exhaust
In short, keep your fuel cool and the line as direct as possible.
One proposed fix we feel is bad idea is the "burp tube", in which a tube is
added to the fuel line to provide an escape path for air bubbles. This may
introduce even more air to the system as the fuel traveling through the fuel
line acts like a suction and draws more air in.
With the unusually hot summer the whole country has been experiencing we are
not surprised that reports have increased. Heat and high density altitudes
(low atmospheric pressure) are the primary causes of fuel turning to vapor.
As always, please feel free to contact Betty, John, Jeremy, Kerry, Mark,
Heather, Jacki, Steve, or Jackie at the numbers or e-mail below
with any questions or Comments.
Regards,
-Sonex Aircraft, LLC
--
http://www.sonexaircraft.com
Tel (Info/Orders): 920.231.8297
Tel (Tech Line): 920.230.8324
Fax: 920.426.8333
E-mail: jeremy@...
Sonex Aircraft, LLC's Mission is to provide the recreational aviation
community innovative, cost-effective and efficient aircraft kits,
powerplants, and accessories and support them with industry-leading customer
service.
dirkverdonck wrote:To clear the fuel line of any water or debris, I flush the fuel line before every start by opening the fuel valve, fuel rich and full power setting for about 3 seconds. Thereafter the engine starts right away as it is primed in the process.
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