Lycoming Flyer Key Reprints

A compilation of key maintenance and performance articlestaken from the former Lycoming “Flyer” Newsletter

L y c o m i n g F l y e r �

Lycoming FlyerD e a r C u s t o m e r ,

O u r K e y R e p r i n t s i s o n e o f L y c o m i n g ’ s m a n y u n i q u e a s p e c t s t h a t m a k e o u r c o m p a n y s p e c i a l . F o r t h o s e w h o h a v e b e e n i n a v i a t i o n a l o n g t i m e a n d f o r t h o s e w h o a r e j u s t d i s c o v e r i n g g e n e r a l a v i a t i o n ’ s w o n d e r s , f u n , a n d e x c i t e m e n t , y o u w i l l q u i c k l y r e a l i z e t h a t o u r e n g i n e s a r e t r u l y l i v i n g o r g a n i s m s . A s w i t h a n y l i v i n g o r g a n i s m , b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d c a r e o f t h e p r o d u c t w i l l e n s u r e m a x i m u m p e r f o r m a n c e f o r e v e r y f l i g h t a n d f o r t h e l i f e o f t h e e n g i n e .

F o r o v e r 7 5 y e a r s L y c o m i n g h a s b e e n d e s i g n i n g , t e s t i n g , a n d a s s e m b l i n g e n g i n e s . A s a c o m p a n y w e h a v e a b o d y o f k n o w l e d g e a b o u t o u r p r o d u c t s u n p a r a l l e l e d i n t h e i n d u s t r y . W e t h u s h a v e a r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o s h a r e t h i s k n o w l e d g e w i t h y o u a n d h o p e y o u l e a r n a s m u c h a s p o s s i b l e a b o u t h o w o u r p r o d u c t s w o r k a n d t h e n e c e s s a r y c a r e a n d f e e d i n g o f e a c h m o d e l . L y c o m i n g ’ s K e y R e p r i n t s i s o u r e f f o r t t o c o n t i n u a l l y s h a r e o u r b e s t p r a c t i c e s , k e y l e s s o n s , a n d e n g i n e s s y s t e m s k n o w l e d g e t o e m p o w e r o u r c u s t o m e r s .

P l e a s e e n j o y L y c o m i n g ’ s K e y R e p r i n t s . R e a d , l e a r n , a n d b u i l d o n y o u r b o d y o f k n o w l e d g e a b o u t h o w o u r e n g i n e s l i v e a n d b r e a t h e . T o k n o w m o r e a b o u t o u r e n g i n e s a n d h o w t o c a r e f o r t h e m , w i l l n o d o u b t m a k e b e t t e r p i l o t s a n d m a i n t e n a n c e p r o f e s s i o n a l s a r o u n d t h e w o r l d .

A f e l l o w p i l o t ,I a n W a l s h V i c e P r e s i d e n t & G e n e r a l M a n a g e rL y c o m i n g E n g i n e s

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I N D E X

G E N E R A L Facts About the Flyer and Key Reprints

Some Definitions of Terms 

How to Get Lycoming Engine and Accessory Maintenance Publications

Determining Engine Condition of High-time Piston Power Plants

Questions Asked by Pilots and Mechanics

Definitions Applicable to TBO, Engine Replacement and Engine Rebuild

Oil Analysis

What is an Aerobatic Engine?

Low-compression Engine — Grade 100 Aviation Fuel

Fuel Contamination

Do Not Use Automotive Gasoline in Lycoming Aircraft Engines

Let’s Talk Turbocharging

Information About Lycoming-approved, Full-flow Oil Filters

Detonation and Preignition

Nitriding — What is it?

Compression Ratio — An Explanation as it Relates to Lycoming Engines

“Watts” Horsepower

Cutaway of a Four-cylinder Power Plant

Your Engine and the Fixed-pitch Propeller

Induced Engine Damage

The Whistle Slot

Welding is not Recommended

Engine Balance

Fuel Injector or Carburetor

The “Same Engine” Myth

The Unfortunate Choice

Low-time Engine May Not Mean Quality and Value

In Search of Badly Behaving Baffles and Seals

The articles contained herein are not intended to supersede manufacturers’ service publications, instructions or manuals or any other official publications, but are provided in order to augment or explain in pilot’s or mechanic’s language these publications, as well as provide other supplemental helpful information for our customers and operators.

L y c o m i n g F l y e r �

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O P E R A T I O N S

Hard Facts About Engine Break-in 

Leaning Lycoming Engines 

Proper Leaning at Cruise Aids Safe Flight and Saves Dollars 

Operating the Direct-drive Fixed-pitch Lycoming Engine 

Operating Your Lycoming Engine at Takeoff and Climb

The Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) and Fuel Management 

Landings and Takeoff from High-elevation Airports 

Basic Power Sequence 

An Explanation of Power Settings 

Considerations for Low-power Low-RPM Cruise 

Induction Icing 

Cold-weather Operations 

National Transportation Safety Board Warning on Simulated Engine-out Maneuvers 

Importance of the Cylinder Head Temperature 

More on Cylinder Head Temperature 

Interpreting Your Engine Instruments 

Engine Starting Suggestions 

Use of Fuel Boost Pumps with Lycoming Engines

Avoid Sudden Cooling of Your Engine 

Sticking Valves — Do Not Neglect the Warning Signs

Operational and Maintenance Procedures to Avoid Sticking Valves 

Tips from the Hangar 

The Pilot and Turbocharging 

TBO Tradeoffs or Tips from Fred 

Thieves of Aircraft Engine Power 

Wet Air Effect on Engine Power

Frequency of Flight and Its Effect on the Engine 

A Review of Old Wives’ Tales 

Spark Plug Fouling

Engine Instruments: To Believe or Not to Believe

Oil Flow — Screens, Filter, Cooler and Pressure Relief 

Test Your Knowledge on Engines

   

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  M A I N T E N A N C E

Mechanic’s Creed   

The Basics Of Maintenance in General Aviation   

Ask About Reference Publications Before Your Engine is Taken Apart   

Air Filter Maintenance  

Oil and Your Engine   

Oil and Filter Change Recommendations   

More About Oil and Your Aircraft Engine   

Maintaining Oil Levels of Wet Sump Engines  

Tips for Changing Your Spin-on Oil Filter   

Suggestions if Metal is Found in the Screens or Filter  

Safety Tip — Sealant Use   

Understanding Engine Color Codes   

Reciprocating Engine Break-in and Oil Consumption Limits   

Compression Check as a Maintenance Aid   

Spark Plugs — Key To Smooth Engine Operation, I 

Spark Plugs — Key To Smooth Engine Operation, II   

Is Your Spark Plug Connector Overtorqued?   

Why Rotate Spark Plugs?   

Maintenance Suggestions From the Lycoming Service Hangar 

Engine Hoses   

Checking and Adjusting Dry Tappet Clearance on Lycoming Engines  

Some Tips on the Lycoming O-235 Engine   

Importance of the Correct Base Nut Tightening Procedure 

Fuel Injector Nozzles Have Been Improved   

Unauthorized Additions to Your Engine Can Cause Trouble

A Simple Check of Internal Engine Timing   

Installation of Counterweight Rollers   

Safety Notes   

Engine Suggestions for Operators 

Recommendations for Aircraft or Engine Struck by Lightning   

Recommendation Regarding Use of Incorrect Fuel   

Propeller Ground Strike or Sudden Stoppage Can Be Dangerous   

Keep Your Direct-drive Engine Starter Clean to Avoid Trouble   

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Notes on Replacing Connecting Rods or Pistons   

Does Your Nose Seal Leak?   

Cam and Tappet Wear   

Exhaust System Maintenance — Pay Now or Pay Later 

High Time Cylinders   

Top Overhaul?

Lycoming Model Codes for Reciprocating Engines

F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S Lycoming Overhaul Engine FAQ

Lycoming Cylinder Kit FAQs

Lycoming Roller Tappet Technology FAQs

Lycoming-IO-390 FAQs

Lycoming-IO-580 FAQs

                                 

� L y c o m i n g F l y e r

  

Lycoming has been pleased and impressed by the number of requests for copies of the “Key Reprints”

— pleased by your many favorable comments concerning it, and impressed by the thirst for knowledge

by operators of General Aviation aircraft engines.

In the event a reader perceives a conflict between the content of these articles and the content of the

current manuals, service bulletins or service instructions, the latter items govern, but the reader should

contact Lycoming Service and bring such a conflict to our attention. The service bulletins and parts of the

manuals are FAA approved; these articles are not.

Some of the articles published are based on information contained in Service Bulletins, Service

Instruction, and Service Letters. In addition, other articles are taken from actual field test data car-

ried on by Lycoming personnel. Furthermore, the Lycoming factory is a central collecting agency

on its aircraft engines in the field. Experiences and information from all over the world provide

feedback that is recorded and analyzed. We share this information with our readers in the Flyer

and Key Reprints.

During the preparation process of each article and as each subsequent re-issue updating of information

is part of the procedure. After articles are written, each one is carefully screened and checked by man-

agement, engineering and service personnel to ensure accuracy before being released for publication.

The Flyer does not have an established publishing date for each issue. The latest issue is Number ��.

The original concept of the Flyer has not changed since the first issue was published in �9��. Approximately

8�% of the prepared text deals with technical information related to Lycoming engines, and the remaining

��% covers general newsworthy items. Distribution of the Flyer is made to owners and operators of

Lycoming powered aircraft, authorized distributors and others who write us and request that we place

them on our mailing list, with all costs of printing and mailing absorbed by Lycoming. It is the intention

of Lycoming to continue to make available service, maintenance and operational data in the Flyer and

Key Reprints to assist the owner and operator in improving their engine’s performance and reliability.

This material is copyrighted under the laws of various countries including the United States and Canada.

No reproduction is authorized. Violation of copyright laws may render unauthorized copiers subject to

penalties of up to $�0,000.00 per unauthorized copy.

S T A T E M E N T O F C O P Y R I G h T