[NSRCA-discussion] The good, the bad, and the ugly

[Michael Cohen]

The Good:  I finally got out to fly today and put up flights 6 and 7 for the season.

 

The Bad:  To say I practiced flying the Masters Pattern might not hold up in court.  It had looping segments (of various radii), straight lines (some of very, very short length), roles (lets talk about mortgage rates instead); in other words, it had all the basic elements.  It also could be argued that I was flying the Wonkavator, up ways and down ways, sideways and back ways and slantways......

 

The Ugly:  5 minutes into flight #2, the engine stopped.  After a fun crosswind glide, I took the engine apart at the field to find the crankshaft-piston area very dry with shaving's everywhere, a mashed and bent (sort of) connecting rod, and a damage to the rotary valve.  I need to take pictures and post them because I have never seen damage like this.  It looks like lubricating oil was unable to get into the region and the engine just ate itself.

 

This was my 160DZ and is on the heals of breaking the shaft that supports the rocker arms on a 140DZ suddenly a month or so ago.  Is there something wrong with the lubrication system on these motors due to some kind of blockage?  Any suggestions on what to check would be appreciated.  The engines all looked clean and free of and kind of FOD when I took them apart and re-assembled them this late winter/early fall.  Before I go killing my last 170DZ, I am open to what people think I should look for (beside an OS, going electric, or gas).

 

Mike Cohen

D4

 

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