Microlighters

On Saturday myself, Fanie and Andy took 6 hrs to find fault on what seamed to be an electrical/spark problem. After replacing the coil and both mags we decided to replace the spark plugs which sorted the problem in 5min. These plugs only have done 2 hours. I then mentioned this to my father in law who has had his own vehicle service centre for years stated that he prefers Champion plugs over NGK.
Any comments out there ?

Never had any hiccups with the BR8ES NGKs, mebbe just a dud batch, but that is why you have a bunch of them on each pot

ZU-CDW - Shark wrote:On Saturday myself, Fanie and Andy took 6 hrs to find fault on what seamed to be an electrical/spark problem. After replacing the coil and both mags we decided to replace the spark plugs which sorted the problem in 5min. These plugs only have done 2 hours. I then mentioned this to my father in law who has had his own vehicle service centre for years stated that he prefers Champion plugs over NGK.
Any comments out there ?

No idee about the plugs, but I just want to set this strait for the record.

You, Fanie and Andy stood around for 6 hours and looked on in awe as the AP/AMO was busy fixing the spark problem on your engine.

Safe flying.

That tells the whole story!

Always suspect the latest introductions into a previously smoothly running system. The bathtub curve applies to all new components, meaning they will fail soon after initialisation or otherwise last for a fairly predictable lifespan and thereafter start being prone to give sh!t again. Plugs, in my opinion, 100hrs no problem. Your kite will tell you when your plugs are fouling, so just check them or brush them, replace them, your option. I see a horde of perfectly usable plugs being discarded because of this 25hr spec. Go check them, any Ferrari will gladly accept a candle in that condition.

But then, who am I to deliver a verdict on this matter? My name does not start with a capital c.

Bacardi wrote:That tells the whole story!

Always suspect the latest introductions into a previously smoothly running system. The bathtub curve applies to all new components, meaning they will fail soon after initialisation or otherwise last for a fairly predictable lifespan and thereafter start being prone to give sh!t again. Plugs, in my opinion, 100hrs no problem. Your kite will tell you when your plugs are fouling, so just check them or brush them, replace them, your option. I see a horde of perfectly usable plugs being discarded because of this 25hr spec. Go check them, any Ferrari will gladly accept a candle in that condition.

But then, who am I to deliver a verdict on this matter? My name does not start with a capital c.

COUNT??

I have also had a new set of NGK's on my 618 that robbed me of about 350 rpm, tried everything but finally a plug swop got the 618 singing again !

Fly safe,
Rudi
PS, while the AP was doing all these things to the 618 I was sipping a cool one

From what i understand Sparkplugs are like globes - some work for years without fault and yet others die within minutes.

I agree with Bacardi when something starts to go wrong work your way backwards from was last done to the motor and you will have a good chance of getting to the problem quicker.

But hey i am a computer Techie - i know nuttin about ingins

Boet wrote:

Bacardi wrote:That tells the whole story!

Always suspect the latest introductions into a previously smoothly running system. The bathtub curve applies to all new components, meaning they will fail soon after initialisation or otherwise last for a fairly predictable lifespan and thereafter start being prone to give sh!t again. Plugs, in my opinion, 100hrs no problem. Your kite will tell you when your plugs are fouling, so just check them or brush them, replace them, your option. I see a horde of perfectly usable plugs being discarded because of this 25hr spec. Go check them, any Ferrari will gladly accept a candle in that condition.

But then, who am I to deliver a verdict on this matter? My name does not start with a capital c.

COUNT??

Naaah Boet, you are mistaking me for Count Riccardi, my little brother in Sardinia, a nasty little runt!

Bacardi wrote:That tells the whole story!

Always suspect the latest introductions into a previously smoothly running system. The bathtub curve applies to all new components, meaning they will fail soon after initialisation or otherwise last for a fairly predictable lifespan and thereafter start being prone to give sh!t again.

Tell me about it happens to prop shafts too................

Another idea - ask your AP to 'phase' the replacement of your plugs. When he visits you to do the first 12,5 hour regap - have him replace the one set of plugs, and at the 25 hour mark he replaces the other set and regaps the ones that have been there for 12,5 hours now.

That way you get best bang for buck - you get a regap and replacement at each 12,5 hour visit.

ZU-CDW - Shark wrote:I then mentioned this to my father in law who has had his own vehicle service centre for years stated that he prefers Champion plugs over NGK.
Any comments out there ?

Don't under any circumstances use Champion plugs.
a) because Rotax do not recommend them
b) [quote = "Ultralightnews"]Champion spark plugs are not recommended, nor are they factory authorized for ultralight use[/quote]

http://www.ultralightnews.ca/rotax503/parts.htm

Thanks Morph, will stick to NGK.

NGK IS ALSO NOT AUTHORIZED FOR FLYING

Another idea - ask your AP to 'phase' the replacement of your plugs. When he visits you to do the first 12,5 hour regap - have him replace the one set of plugs, and at the 25 hour mark he replaces the other set and regaps the ones that have been there for 12,5 hours now.

That way you get best bang for buck - you get a regap and replacement at each 12,5 hour visit.

Skybound, this suggestion is just far too sensible to be legal. Surely the Rotax maintanace manual will have to be re written to include this before CAA will accept it!