 |
Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Thom Riddle
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)
|
 Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:14 am Post subject: Jabiru rescinding approval of ethanol fuel? |
 |
|
I just received this link from a Rotax engine pilot. It refers to a problem with ethanol laced fuel in fuel tanks with some sort of sealant. It has nothing to do with the engines themselves.
Has anyone received this or similar notification from Jabiru directly?
http://www.generalaviationnews.com/2011/02/15/jabiru-rescinds-approval-for-ethanol-blended-fuel-in-its-aircraft/
| | - The Matronics JabiruEngine-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?JabiruEngine-List |
|
_________________
Thom Riddle
Buffalo, NY (9G0)
Don't worry about old age... it doesn't last very long.
- Anonymous |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
pete(at)usjabiru.com
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:44 am Post subject: Jabiru rescinding approval of ethanol fuel? |
|
|
The referenced advisory rescinding auto gas approval applies only to S-LSA aircraft produced by Jabiru USA. We issued it because of growing evidence from our LSA fleet plus many reports from operators of amateur build aircraft of fuel system problems emanating from some of the additives or contaminants in auto gas. We’ve received many reports of a stringy mucus like substance precipitating out of the fuel solution that clog fuel filters and gum up carburetors. We’ve received reports of this happening in fiberglass tanks with sealants, plastic tanks without tank sealants, and even welded aluminum tanks with no sealants. This substance has been the suspected cause of at least one fatal crash. We’ve received no such reports from operators using Avgas 100LL.
Searching through fuel test reports from gas stations across the country we find that a significant number of samples reported contaminants such as acetone, mek, toluene and other minor keytones plus the deliberately added components like ethanol, methanol, mtbe and tame. There is now good research that I could find on the effects of long term storage in fiberglass tanks.
While our tanks are sealed with a product that is resistant to 10% ethanol there still seems to be a potential problem in every day use. I think that the effects of some of these additives and contaminants coming out of the solution (or suspension) with the fuel and settling to one area of a fuel tank in higher concentrations than expected is unknown and potentially quite damaging. While Jabiru Australia has had coupon samples of fiberglass coated with the sealant immersed in a gas – ethanol solution for nearly two years with no apparent damage to the sealant, there has not been a field study of E10 in a real tank exposed to moisture and condensation that may cause ethanol to combine with water and fall to the tank bottom in higher ethanol concentrations than expected.
My advice to operators using auto fuel – either with or without ethaonol – is to keep a really close watch on their fuel systems. Carefully inspect fuel filters and carbs on a regular basis.
Pete
Pete Krotje
Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft, LLC
931-680-2800
www.usjabiru.com
From: owner-jabiruengine-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-jabiruengine-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of John Lawton
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 8:53 AM
To: jabiruengine-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: Re: JabiruEngine-List Digest: 1 Msgs - 02/16/11
| Quote: |
Time: 05:17:39 AM PST US
Subject: Jabiru rescinding approval of ethanol fuel?
From: "Thom Riddle" <riddletr(at)gmail.com (riddletr(at)gmail.com)>
I just received this link from a Rotax engine pilot. It refers to a problem with
ethanol laced fuel in fuel tanks with some sort of sealant. It has nothing to
do with the engines themselves. |
Hey Tom,
I haven't heard anything directly from Jabiru about this, but it doesn't surprise me in the least. The tanks are probably fiberglass and a lot of manufacturers with fiberglass tanks are finding out that ethanol dissolves epoxy resin over time. I was just in Sebring last month getting Rotax 912/914 maintenance certification because I own a Ximango motorglider with a 912s installed, in addition to my Europa with a 3300 installed. I stayed for the Sebring LSA show to drool over all the new toys after the training. While I was there I was collared to help the Pipistrel rep, Micheal Coates, rig his Virus LSA for the show. I noticed he had two extra sets of wings in his trailer. When I inquired as to why he said they were going to Robert Mudd, a composite repair guy in Moriarty, NM, for repairs to the fuel tanks because of ethanol poisoning. I've heard it's happening in boats, too. Ethanol is bad ju-ju. We haven't seen any come through our composite shop yet, but we figure it's only a matter of time.
Sure am glad I can still get ethanol free UL93 here in Tennessee!
Regards,
John Lawton
Whitwell, TN (TN89)
Ximango #135 (912s) and Europa N245E (Jabiru 3300) - Flying
| Quote: | | http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?JabiruEngine-List |
01234567
[quote][b]
| | - The Matronics JabiruEngine-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?JabiruEngine-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Thom Riddle
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:19 am Post subject: Re: Jabiru rescinding approval of ethanol fuel? |
|
|
Thanks for the detailed info, Pete. Very helpful.
| | - The Matronics JabiruEngine-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?JabiruEngine-List |
|
_________________
Thom Riddle
Buffalo, NY (9G0)
Don't worry about old age... it doesn't last very long.
- Anonymous |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
