jpmuri
Member and Cherokee 140 Owner
- Joined
- May 21, 2013
- Messages
- 65
- Reaction score
- 6
'66 PA28 140
Had a nice flight yesterday from 1W1 to KPLU for dinner. After dinner, I did some night touch and go landings to get in my 3 within 90 days before I took my son back home with me. Prior to both flights I did standard run up with no isues on either Mag.
I also did run up prior to taking off for home and again noticed no issues with RPM drop or any sound of rough engine.
About 10 minutes after takeoff and towards our first waypoint of KCLS, I noticed a sputter and slight 200 rpm drop. I pulled carb heat for about 10 seconds and seemed to stabilize (coincidence?).
I kept a close eye - but not sure I noticed much more. So, at KCLS we continued south toward our next point of KKLS. However, about 5 miles past, another few sputters - so turned around and went to land at KCLS.
We landed no issues - but noticeable rough engine. It was dark out and about 7pm so, i checked a few easy things (fuel for water and tried running up with lean to burn off plugs). Nothing made it better - I could not get RPMs over 2000 at this point. So, called home and had the wife come pick us up - luckily only about 65 miles away.
Went back today and removed all plugs. Found that the cylinder on Left side toward cockpit (left while sitting in plane) - both plugs were dark black. All other plugs were pretty clean and white. Engine only has about 100 hours SMOH. I do try to lean while ini flight - but probably don't do so enough while taxiing. But strange to have this happen in flight.
I brushed off and wiped the plugs as clean as I could and moved one of the fouled plugs to another cylinder (other mag). Upon start I clearly noticed it was better. However, on runup now the Left Mag runs very rough and i could not seem to get it to clear.
Main question - common to have 2 plugs in one cylinder foul when all other cylinders seem very clean? And why would this happen in flight when not noticed on the ground within 3 run ups in previous 3 hours?
Tomorrow will be calling Mechanic at the field where the plane is to have plugs cleaned and a more thorough check done.
Thanks,
Josh
'66 PA28 140
Had a nice flight yesterday from 1W1 to KPLU for dinner. After dinner, I did some night touch and go landings to get in my 3 within 90 days before I took my son back home with me. Prior to both flights I did standard run up with no isues on either Mag.
I also did run up prior to taking off for home and again noticed no issues with RPM drop or any sound of rough engine.
About 10 minutes after takeoff and towards our first waypoint of KCLS, I noticed a sputter and slight 200 rpm drop. I pulled carb heat for about 10 seconds and seemed to stabilize (coincidence?).
I kept a close eye - but not sure I noticed much more. So, at KCLS we continued south toward our next point of KKLS. However, about 5 miles past, another few sputters - so turned around and went to land at KCLS.
We landed no issues - but noticeable rough engine. It was dark out and about 7pm so, i checked a few easy things (fuel for water and tried running up with lean to burn off plugs). Nothing made it better - I could not get RPMs over 2000 at this point. So, called home and had the wife come pick us up - luckily only about 65 miles away.
Went back today and removed all plugs. Found that the cylinder on Left side toward cockpit (left while sitting in plane) - both plugs were dark black. All other plugs were pretty clean and white. Engine only has about 100 hours SMOH. I do try to lean while ini flight - but probably don't do so enough while taxiing. But strange to have this happen in flight.
I brushed off and wiped the plugs as clean as I could and moved one of the fouled plugs to another cylinder (other mag). Upon start I clearly noticed it was better. However, on runup now the Left Mag runs very rough and i could not seem to get it to clear.
Main question - common to have 2 plugs in one cylinder foul when all other cylinders seem very clean? And why would this happen in flight when not noticed on the ground within 3 run ups in previous 3 hours?
Tomorrow will be calling Mechanic at the field where the plane is to have plugs cleaned and a more thorough check done.
Thanks,
Josh
'66 PA28 140
