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Hartzell CS prop Leak Help
- Thread starter mfleming
- Start date
JonJay
Well Known Member
Sorry to see that Michael. That is significant. I don’t think you have a choice.
Western Propeller in Troutdale is probably closest? Mixed reviews but they did mine and were just fine. They are right on the field, so, perhaps you have a buddy there that can fly the prop somewhere for you?
Maybe there’s a shop in Boise or Spokane?
You live in a wonderful place but there are some disadvantages, as you know.
Western Propeller in Troutdale is probably closest? Mixed reviews but they did mine and were just fine. They are right on the field, so, perhaps you have a buddy there that can fly the prop somewhere for you?
Maybe there’s a shop in Boise or Spokane?
You live in a wonderful place but there are some disadvantages, as you know.
Kyle Boatright
Well Known Member
Check the torque on the two bolts right at the hub - in your picture, they are the ones with their heads facing towards the viewer. One is at the leading edge of the prop, one is at the trailing edge. My prop manual is at the airport, but I believe the torque values are in there.
I was sure it was't there after the last flight but I thought maybe I missed it. It was the blade facing down...
RV8JD
Well Known Member
To expand on a previous post:
May not be the OP's issue, but DanH offered this advice many years ago and saved me an unneeded reseal on my previous RV-8's Hartzell prop. Worked like a charm. Here is a pic of my previous RV-8 with some notes:
Attached below is an earlier version of the Hartzell Propeller Owner's Manual No. 115N (61-00-15), Rev 23, Feb 2018 (prior to the introduction of Nyco GN3058 grease).
- Table 3-1 on page 3-7 lists the torques values. "Hub clamping bolts/spinner mtg. nuts 20-22 ft-lbs (28-29 N•m)”.
- See Figure 3 on page 3-10, which shows the hub clamping bolts, like the picture I included above. Obviously, the other 6 bolts that actually hold the hub together should not be disturbed.
- Page 3-11 through 3-13 talks about metal spinner bulkhead installation using those bolts.
- Figure 3-4 on page 3-12 shows the spinner mounting bolts and the spinner bulkhead spacer and stack up, just like on my airplane.
Check to make sure all that makes sense for your prop and hub, as it’s been awhile since I did it.
May not be the OP's issue, but DanH offered this advice many years ago and saved me an unneeded reseal on my previous RV-8's Hartzell prop. Worked like a charm. Here is a pic of my previous RV-8 with some notes:
Attached below is an earlier version of the Hartzell Propeller Owner's Manual No. 115N (61-00-15), Rev 23, Feb 2018 (prior to the introduction of Nyco GN3058 grease).
- Table 3-1 on page 3-7 lists the torques values. "Hub clamping bolts/spinner mtg. nuts 20-22 ft-lbs (28-29 N•m)”.
- See Figure 3 on page 3-10, which shows the hub clamping bolts, like the picture I included above. Obviously, the other 6 bolts that actually hold the hub together should not be disturbed.
- Page 3-11 through 3-13 talks about metal spinner bulkhead installation using those bolts.
- Figure 3-4 on page 3-12 shows the spinner mounting bolts and the spinner bulkhead spacer and stack up, just like on my airplane.
Check to make sure all that makes sense for your prop and hub, as it’s been awhile since I did it.
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It seems to have the consistency of grease. Not sure if 6 or 5. Whatever was installed by Hartzell.
To expand on a previous post:
May not be the OP's issue, but DanH offered this advice many years ago and saved me an unneeded reseal on my previous RV-8's Hartzell prop. Worked like a charm. Here is a pic of my previous RV-8 with some notes:
Attached below is an earlier version of the Hartzell Propeller Owner's Manual No. 115N (61-00-15), Rev 23, Feb 2018 (prior to the introduction of Nyco GN3058 grease).
- Table 3-1 on page 3-7 lists the torques values. "Hub clamping bolts/spinner mtg. nuts 20-22 ft-lbs (28-29 N•m)”.
- See Figure 3 on page 3-10, which shows the hub clamping bolts, like the picture I included above. Obviously, the other 6 bolts that actually hold the hub together should not be disturbed.
- Page 3-11 through 3-13 talks about metal spinner bulkhead installation using those bolts.
- Figure 3-4 on page 3-12 shows the spinner mounting bolts and the spinner bulkhead spacer and stack up, just like on my airplane.
Check to make sure all that makes sense for your prop and hub, as it’s been awhile since I did it.
Thanks!To expand on a previous post:
May not be the OP's issue, but DanH offered this advice many years ago and saved me an unneeded reseal on my previous RV-8's Hartzell prop. Worked like a charm. Here is a pic of my previous RV-8 with some notes:
Attached below is an earlier version of the Hartzell Propeller Owner's Manual No. 115N (61-00-15), Rev 23, Feb 2018 (prior to the introduction of Nyco GN3058 grease).
- Table 3-1 on page 3-7 lists the torques values. "Hub clamping bolts/spinner mtg. nuts 20-22 ft-lbs (28-29 N•m)”.
- See Figure 3 on page 3-10, which shows the hub clamping bolts, like the picture I included above. Obviously, the other 6 bolts that actually hold the hub together should not be disturbed.
- Page 3-11 through 3-13 talks about metal spinner bulkhead installation using those bolts.
- Figure 3-4 on page 3-12 shows the spinner mounting bolts and the spinner bulkhead spacer and stack up, just like on my airplane.
Check to make sure all that makes sense for your prop and hub, as it’s been awhile since I did it.
JonJay
Well Known Member
I hope the above suggestions work. I learned something.
robertahegy
Moderator/Tech Counselor
This is pretty common to see some grease leaching out the prop hub, especially if it is over greased. Retorque and clean it up to see if it re-appears. Also, sometimes the grease zerk can weep some grease out. It does look like grease to me.
RV8JD
Well Known Member
On mixing grease - From pages 6-10 and 6-11 of the HARTZELL PROPELLER OWNER'S MANUAL 115N, Rev 26, August 2023:
NYCO GB3058 grease cannot mixed with Aeroshell 5 or Aeroshell 6. However, Aeroshell 5 and Aeroshell 6 may be mixed, with this proviso:
Also note that it is not possible to purge old grease through the lubrication fittings. To completely replace one grease with another, the propeller must be disassembled and cleaned in accordance with the applicable overhaul manual.
NYCO GB3058 grease cannot mixed with Aeroshell 5 or Aeroshell 6. However, Aeroshell 5 and Aeroshell 6 may be mixed, with this proviso:
Also note that it is not possible to purge old grease through the lubrication fittings. To completely replace one grease with another, the propeller must be disassembled and cleaned in accordance with the applicable overhaul manual.
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JonJay
Well Known Member
I always thought that was an odd statment. You can mix them, but you can’t replace them. So, doesn’t accomplish much in the way of oil separation. Anyway, I stand corrected.
Tooch
Well Known Member
I had the same issue with my prop. Sat for awhile, only had 60 hours on it when it started to spray grease on my wind screen. Since the prop was already 10 years old, I took it to a shop and did an IRAN. They put in the new grease and all has been well for the past 200 hrs. Apparently Aeroshell changed their grease somehow and it is more prone to liquefy and leak.
Clean what you see off of the blades and hub. Label clean blade #1 near the hub with a marker and suspect blade #2. Check the 4 aft spinner bulkhead mounting bolts torque. There should be a placard on the propeller front dome stating what grease it is serviced with. You will have to remove the forward spinner bulkhead to see this.
As others have said, go fly a normal flight and inspect the propeller afterwards.
As others have said, go fly a normal flight and inspect the propeller afterwards.
JonJay
Well Known Member
In my pea brain, there is a big difference between “fog” on the screen caused by oil separating and squeaking past the seal vs a big streak of grease running down the prop. Hence, my initial alarm. I’ve had one, but not the other.
Good luck and report back on what you find.
Good luck and report back on what you find.
Tankerpilot75
Well Known Member
I once experienced a “grease spray “ on my wind screen after a condition inspection which I added some grease to the Hartzell prop hub. Looking inside the spinner I discovered a blob of grease just above a grease zerk. Turns out the grease gun use to regrease the prop had dirt on the tip and transferred a grain or two to the zert preventing it from fully closing.
I was told when I installed the current MT prop on my aircraft that it’s not uncommon for some grease to escape during the first few flights with a new prop. Initially some did leak out but it was minimal and quickly stopped after a few flights.
I think following Walt’s advice is prudent. Wipe it off and monitor the prop for a few flights to see if it reoccurs.
I was told when I installed the current MT prop on my aircraft that it’s not uncommon for some grease to escape during the first few flights with a new prop. Initially some did leak out but it was minimal and quickly stopped after a few flights.
I think following Walt’s advice is prudent. Wipe it off and monitor the prop for a few flights to see if it reoccurs.
Mike S
Senior Curmudgeon
My MT did the same. Stopped after a few flights.
Exactly what ours is doing 180 hours
Update:
I finally got some good weather and flew for 2.5hrs. Slinging grease worse than ever. Removed the prop and it’s currently at the prop shop having new seals installed.
Let this be a warning, don’t let the prop set uninstalled for two years… the seals can take a set.
I finally got some good weather and flew for 2.5hrs. Slinging grease worse than ever. Removed the prop and it’s currently at the prop shop having new seals installed.
Let this be a warning, don’t let the prop set uninstalled for two years… the seals can take a set.
Just for the record. I picked up my prop from the prop shop yesterday. The problem was, there was grey clay like substance packed into the prop. Apparently this caused the leak. I thought the oil coming out of the prop and crank when I removed the prop looked awful. I'm going to have to figure this out before reinstalling the prop.
Stevea
Well Known Member
Does this engine have any run time on it? If so, you might be seeing lead sludge that came from inside the crankshaft bore. Clean out the sludge before replacing the prop.....you're good to go.
FYI: when I had my prop off at ~1000 hrs, the crank bore "didn't look too bad" for sludge build up.....until I started scraping it out (using a paint stir stick). The sludge build up started out thin near the front end, tapering to about 1/8" thick at the back end. Turned out to be quite a bit of it in there.
The engine has 100hrs on it.
Mike S
Senior Curmudgeon
Clay is used as a thickener when making some kinds of grease. In certain conditions, like high temps, the oily part can separate out from the grease.
A Guide to Grease Thickeners — Twin Specialties Corp.
Grease thickeners are used to hold base oil and additives in place using a semi-fluid structure, creating proper lubrication of bearings and other machines.
www.twinoils.com
Walt
Well Known Member
Engine oil does not enter the blade cavity area.
