Tankerpilot75
Well Known Member
I want to express my sincere appreciation to Eric Muelburg for diagnosing and then fixing a left magneto problem on my RV7A. Eric is an EAA Chapter 24 Tech Counselor and an A&P. He also volunteers every year at Air Venture.
Several weeks ago during a run up check prior to takeoff my engine really coughed hard and acted like it wanted to die when I did the mag check on the left mag. Having had past trouble with plug fouling I taxied back to the hanger and cleaned my plugs. The next time I went to fly it did the same thing so I thought that my left mag had probably failed and called for help since this is an area beyond my normal comfort level.
Eric spent the whole day with me doing a number diagnostic steps and discovered the 7/8? condenser nut on the ground pole of my left Slick mag was loose. This loose nut allowed the mag to ground out with the p-lead connected. It obviously started out as an intermittent problem but progressed to total mag failure over time. He tightened the condenser nut, did some more diagnostic steps to confirm the problem was fixed, and then re-timed the mags. Total cost - lunch on me!
While I can?t say for sure this problem has been causing my plug fouling, I do believe it has been going on longer than I knew. Mag checks are important - do not gloss over them thinking you just have a fouled plug or two that will clear up with a little use. We were both happy a simple fix was all that was required.
It?s people like Eric and the EAA community that make owning and flying experimental aircraft such a wonderful experience. Thank you Eric.
Several weeks ago during a run up check prior to takeoff my engine really coughed hard and acted like it wanted to die when I did the mag check on the left mag. Having had past trouble with plug fouling I taxied back to the hanger and cleaned my plugs. The next time I went to fly it did the same thing so I thought that my left mag had probably failed and called for help since this is an area beyond my normal comfort level.
Eric spent the whole day with me doing a number diagnostic steps and discovered the 7/8? condenser nut on the ground pole of my left Slick mag was loose. This loose nut allowed the mag to ground out with the p-lead connected. It obviously started out as an intermittent problem but progressed to total mag failure over time. He tightened the condenser nut, did some more diagnostic steps to confirm the problem was fixed, and then re-timed the mags. Total cost - lunch on me!
While I can?t say for sure this problem has been causing my plug fouling, I do believe it has been going on longer than I knew. Mag checks are important - do not gloss over them thinking you just have a fouled plug or two that will clear up with a little use. We were both happy a simple fix was all that was required.
It?s people like Eric and the EAA community that make owning and flying experimental aircraft such a wonderful experience. Thank you Eric.