rpm increase during climb out

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher

User avatar
GAHorn
Posts: 21052
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm

Re: rpm increase during climb out

Post by GAHorn »

As frustrating as it may be.... a "shudder" is not infrequently caused by valve-springs that do not meet specification. Many times cylinders are "rebuilt" and the old valve springs are re-used without any testing whatsoever. A weak, worn out valve spring will give exactly the symptoms described. Don't skimp on valve springs. If in doubt...install new ones whenever the cylinder is worked on.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
1SeventyZ
Posts: 253
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2003 2:08 am

Re: rpm increase during climb out

Post by 1SeventyZ »

gahorn wrote:As frustrating as it may be.... a "shudder" is not infrequently caused by valve-springs that do not meet specification. Many times cylinders are "rebuilt" and the old valve springs are re-used without any testing whatsoever. A weak, worn out valve spring will give exactly the symptoms described. Don't skimp on valve springs. If in doubt...install new ones whenever the cylinder is worked on.
I've got the same springs installed by Central Cylinder in 1999 at major, so I have no reason to suspect their quality, but that is good to know that they can be culprits when worn. Thanks.

KG, sorry for the thread hijack, I just thought that our issues might be similar.
User avatar
KG
Posts: 493
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:14 pm

Re: rpm increase during climb out

Post by KG »

1SeventyZ wrote:KG, sorry for the thread hijack, I just thought that our issues might be similar.
Not to worry.......

I've done a thorough run up with multiple mag checks and I haven't been able to duplicate my problem. I'll keep you posted if I find out anything.
53 170B
User avatar
ron74887
Posts: 298
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 2:18 am

Re: rpm increase during climb out

Post by ron74887 »

KG, I once had a problem with a lead braking down. I flew to FL and landed at Crestview all was fine-- took off and got a shutter thought Ice or ??. Landed - nothing I could find took off again same thing pull carb heat settled down--Ha that was it. No problems after--On return trip at Crestview same thing again. Something wrong in Crestview. Got home told Mechanic --flew pull up in steep climb did it again. Got a lead tester and sure enough had a lead leaking thru and grounding out only when under a load. Change leads, steep climb all OK. might be this ?? Ron
President 86-88
53 C170-B N74887, people choice 2003, Best original B 2007
46 7BCM champ N2843E Rebuilding stage
Cajun Connection way down south, most of you are yankees to me!
User avatar
KG
Posts: 493
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:14 pm

Re: rpm increase during climb out

Post by KG »

ron74887 wrote:might be this ?? Ron
That's certainly a possibility. My buddy who helps me with maintenance is out of state getting his daughter started in college. When he returns, we are going to do some troubleshooting. I'll keep you posted......

Keith
53 170B
1SeventyZ
Posts: 253
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2003 2:08 am

Re: rpm increase during climb out

Post by 1SeventyZ »

Anyone ever suffered a broken ring in a O-300? A guy on the CPS site mentioned that it had happened to him with the same symptoms.

I have no idea. That sounds a little more rare.
n3833v
Posts: 857
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 6:02 pm

Re: rpm increase during climb out

Post by n3833v »

I took notice my engine seemed lazy lately and I had reason to be checking everything and found a broken intake elbow on #1 cylinder. I figure it wasn't getting full mixture all the time and just along for the ride. I will find out the difference when I get back to flying.

John
John Hess
Past President 2018-2021
President 2016-2018, TIC170A
Vice President 2014-2016, TIC170A
Director 2005-2014, TIC170A
N3833V Flying for Fun
'67 XLH 900 Harley Sportster
EAA Chapter 390 Pres since 2006
K3KNT
hilltop170
Posts: 3485
Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 6:05 pm

Re: rpm increase during climb out

Post by hilltop170 »

1SeventyZ wrote:Anyone ever suffered a broken ring in a O-300? A guy on the CPS site mentioned that it had happened to him with the same symptoms.

I have no idea. That sounds a little more rare.

I had a compression ring break on my O-300-D right after start-up one time. I was still in the tiedown and had not taxied out yet. The engine had about 1200hr SMOH. As the engine was warming up at an idle, it shuddered fairly hard for just a moment then smoothed out. I pulled the mixture and the prop jerked to a stop. The engine had noticibly more drag while turning it over by hand using the prop. Compression test showed 20/80 psi. Removed the jug and found it scored where the ring broke. +.015" re-bore cleaned it up and it was good as new. The piston was ok. I think much more damage would have occurred if the plane was flying at the time the ring broke but I don't know if it would have been felt.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
User avatar
GAHorn
Posts: 21052
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm

Re: rpm increase during climb out

Post by GAHorn »

While at 200' AGL on pipeline patrol in a C-150 ...way out on the Mississippi Delta...(long ways from solid ground)... a ring broke and the damage to the piston, cylinder and valves was pretty extensive by the time I nursed it to Westwego airport just SW of New Orleans. I couldn't read any of the instruments due to vibration and the wingtips were a blur. Longest 20 minutes of my life looking at all the water, alligators, snakes, and mosquitos.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
1SeventyZ
Posts: 253
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2003 2:08 am

Re: rpm increase during climb out

Post by 1SeventyZ »

A follow-up on my issue:

Mag check showed the vibe/miss only on the right mag. Leads were good (check with high tension tester), plugs were good (cleaned all and checked resistance), so the only thing left was the mag internals. Points a little frosted, so we replaced points and condenser.

Vibe has gone away. Points wear, condensers degrade!

Back to making a smooth 2275 static, and 2475 at Vy.
Post Reply