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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [COUPERS] Carb Ice
Date: Mon, 08 Oct 2001 20:20:58 -0700
From: Jon Page <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Organization: @Home Network
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], ercoupe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,coupers tech
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
References: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Ken Doyle.
This "carb ice" problem is very near and dear to my own heart. Both
coupes I've owned have suffered from what everyone said was carb ice. It
never seemed right to me though. Normally an engine will start to slow
down and run rough for some time before giving up completly. Mine would
just quit dead with no prior notice. After many sleepless nights I came
up with a couple of theories. 1- That the problem was not ice at all. 2-
The engine is being fed too much air for the amount of fuel that goes
through the main jet. 3- That #2 was caused by the shape of the air
intake in front of the air filter. The funnel shape of the intake on
the coupe causes a ram air effect, going from about 7" down to about 2".
Pulling on carb heat would restore power every time. This, I sermised,
was because the air was no longer being rammed in, but taking a much
slower route through the heater. Also, heating in effect enrichens the
mixture, helping the starved engine. Slightly enlarging the main jet
made things noticeably better,but not still quite right. Please believe
me when I say the carb has been completely checked out, along with all
other things like air leaks, float level,check for cracks and fuel
supply. Now, on my coupe the air intake "funnel" is about 5/8" back from
thr nose cowling. This gap would supply enough air to happily
run the engine if the front air intake were totally blocked off. I
made an aluminum cover plate with a 2" hole in the center, and screwed
it on the intake. This allows a hole as big as the carb intake but gets
away from the funnel ram air effect. If any extra air is required by the
engine, it takes it from the gap behind the cowling, which is warmed
engine room air. Along with all this I have installed a carb ice gauge
with a probe right in the throat of the carb. This showed me that carb
ice was not the problem, even with the front plate off. Since I made
this modificationI have not had a single problem and power and R.P.M.
are not affected. The first coupe I had, had the same problem, only
worse, until I installed the restrictor plate,then the problem was gone,
until I sold it and the inspecting mechanic took the plate off and
nearly dumped the plane on the runway, fortunately he pulled the carb
heat and saved the day. Now I run a standard main jet, but feel a
slightly oversize one would still be an improvement. I know all this
stuff may sound like hearesey to all you die hards, but it worked for me
not once, but twice. A while back I asked if other coupers had
experienced loss of power in flight. I got 6 or 8 people who said they
had the same problem, but didn't think it was carb ice because it was
instant. Most said that carb heat brought power back immediatly. I also
know this is not an acceptable fix for those who are forced to comply
with the rules that are written in the Bible of coupe maintenance. Being
on the new Canadaian "Owner Maintenance", I can do this mod and be
responsible for my own actions, which I really like. This should stir up
all the old timers who say, "I've flown my coupe for 30 years, and it
never quit." Well mine did and so do a lot of other coupes . Think about
it!
Jon Page
FLAK MAGNET. 415-C.
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