What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

Help understand in-flight mag check result

liuk

Active Member
Hello all, I recently had both of my slick mags taken off and re-installed for the 500-hour inspection. I was suggested to be more vigilant about the mag checks at least in the first 10 hours. During my first flight after the mag installation, I did both the ground check and in-flight LOP check, and I don't really understand the results. For reference I have an O-360-A1A engine, with slick mags on both sides (left mag has impulse coupling).

The ground check was pretty good. The test was done at 1700 RPM, and both mags showed 50-60 RPM drop. During the in-flight test, although the engine seems to run fairly smooth with either the left or the right mag, the power reduction and the EGT rise are much more pronounced when the right mag is turned off. By power reduction, I mean that I could feel very strong deceleration when the right mag was turned off. Below are the EGT numbers I wrote down during the test.

Please take a look and let me know if it's something worth worrying about, and/or if there are some further tests I should be doing. Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • Snipaste_2021-12-28_22-51-48.png
    Snipaste_2021-12-28_22-51-48.png
    26.5 KB · Views: 127
IMHO there is nothing terribly wrong here, although the numbers suggest the right mag is firing slightly later than the left one. I’d check the timing one more time.
 
the power reduction and the EGT rise are much more pronounced when the right mag is turned off.



Methinks it is the left that is a bit retarded.

Late firing means the mixture is still burning as it is going out the exhaust, and thus higher egt readings.
 
Last edited:
Opps, I agree with Mike, if you really mean ‘right off’. I mis-read the column label as the usual ‘right only’.
 
Ideal

I see nothing wrong with your numbers posted, your LOP numbers.

I sorta doubt any fine tuning will make them more alike, and there is really nothing noticeable you'll gain if they were. Fly on !
 
The ground check was pretty good. The test was done at 1700 RPM, and both mags showed 50-60 RPM drop. During the in-flight test, although the engine seems to run fairly smooth with either the left or the right mag, the power reduction and the EGT rise are much more pronounced when the right mag is turned off. By power reduction, I mean that I could feel very strong deceleration when the right mag was turned off. Below are the EGT numbers I wrote down during the test.

Please take a look and let me know if it's something worth worrying about, and/or if there are some further tests I should be doing. Thanks!

As others have noted, the left mag may be a bit retarded. The overall higher EGT rise for #3 (greater increase when running on either mag) may be due to mixture distribution issues typical for a carbed engine, or possibly an intake gasket leak.

Can't expect the same results at 1700 RPM and some higher inflight RPM. Mixture distribution is likely different.

Late firing means the mixture is still burning as it is going out the exhaust, and thus higher egt readings.

Late firing means cylinder pressure is higher at exhaust valve opening. Pressure and temperature are proportional when temperature is expressed in degrees Kelvin.

Although there are ongoing reactions, 100% mass fraction burned is reached well before exhaust valve opening. A good reference like Haywood's Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals has typical burning duration at 40 to 60 crank degrees, starting at ignition BTDC. The exhaust valve doesn't open until roughly 135 ATDC.
 
In addition to what everyone said, it would be good to know how are your sparkplugs connected? Does one mag fire all the top and the other fire all the bottom? If that is the case, that might explain the difference.
 
In addition to what everyone said, it would be good to know how are your sparkplugs connected? Does one mag fire all the top and the other fire all the bottom? If that is the case, that might explain the difference.

Yes. The left mag fires all the top plugs and right mag fires all the bottom ones.
 
Some thoughts. Not a debate

Yes. The left mag fires all the top plugs and right mag fires all the bottom ones.

First off. This configurations is contrary to what I was taught and adds some unneeded risk; though small. Already been mentioned it's not a permissible configuration in certified world; certainly not in the Lyc manuals I've read.

Bottom plugs have a higher likelihood of fouling; gravity and the presence of oil, etc. Mags configured as you state can lead to flying on less than all cylinders if the "top" mag drops out.

Secondly and simply stated, rpm drop isn't as important when checking mag operation as the characteristic of the drop. Suddenness/abruptness versus a smooth decrease is an indication of ignition system trouble versus plug condition. 50-60 rpm is actually on the low side for mag fired lyc that is times IAW it's nameplate.

Not a debate, Just sayin'. Fly safe.
 
Back
Top