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TCP and equivalents

uk_figs

Well Known Member
Friend
On my recently completed low and slow plane with a C-90-12 I have read a bunch lately about using TCP to prevent valve sticking if running 100LL which is what I run, I have seen occasional comments here about the same suggestion. I have never run TCP in any of my planes and my -7 has a carburated ECI 0-360 with about 1000 hours and runs fine. I do see a few lead balls in the lower plugs at the condition inspection but the plugs look and test fine. Is this something that most people add to their fuel or is this like MMO with a wide variety of folk lore and opinions.
Figs
 
On my recently completed low and slow plane with a C-90-12 I have read a bunch lately about using TCP to prevent valve sticking if running 100LL which is what I run, I have seen occasional comments here about the same suggestion. I have never run TCP in any of my planes and my -7 has a carburated ECI 0-360 with about 1000 hours and runs fine. I do see a few lead balls in the lower plugs at the condition inspection but the plugs look and test fine. Is this something that most people add to their fuel or is this like MMO with a wide variety of folk lore and opinions.
Figs
most do not. these additives can reduce lead deposits, like in your plug cavities. Only you can decide if lead build up is the cause of sticking valves; I do not. So, the assumption that tcp will reduce valve sticking is based on the assumption that lead is the cause of valve sticking. While some internet barkers make this claim, it is purely an assumption, as no root cause, based in science and testing, has been identified.
 
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