Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ENGINE PRESERVATION
Primary purpose of engine preservation is to prevent
corrosion.
Engines that are going
to be put in storage or transported to an
overhaul facility must be
preserved and
protected to prevent corrosion and other forms of
damage.
Preservation also recommended
when an engine remains on the aircraft if engine
operation is
limited or suspended for an
extended period of time.
DEHYDRATING AGENTS
Often used during engine preservation because they absorb
moisture from the atmosphere.
Silica gel is a common desiccant and is an ideal
dehydrating agent
since it does not dissolve when
saturated.
As a corrosion preventive measure, bags of silica gel are
placed around and inside the accessible parts of a stored
engine.
Silica gel is also used in clear plastic plugs called
dehydrator plugs which are screwed into an engines spark
plug holes.
The silica gel in the dehydrator plugs is typically treated
with Cobalt chloride to provide a visual indication of the
moisture content in the air inside an engine.
For e.g. cobalt chloride treated silica gel remains a
bright
blue color with a low relative humidity.
as humidity increases, the shade of blue grows
progressively lighter, becoming lavender at 30 percent
relative humidity.
if the relative humidity exceeds 30 percent, the
color
changes from lavender to various shades of
pink,
becoming completely white at 60 percent
relative
humidity.
STORAGE
Once preserved, engines sent out for overhaul/newly
overhauled engines put into storage should be
protected by a shipping container.
Metal or Wooden containers are constructed with
mounts for holding and protecting an engine.
When storing engine horizontally in a metal shipping
container, special ventilatory plugs are normally
installed.
If stored vertically, only the upper spark plug holes in
each cylinder receive a ventilatory plug while the lower
spark plug holes are fitted with non-ventilatory plugs.
Dehydrator plugs with the dessicant removed work well
as non-ventilatory plugs.
Engines needing
repairs or
overhaul are
never- theless
costly, and must
be protected
during storage
and shipment. For
this reason,
shipping crates or
containers
tailored to a
specific engine
model must
always be used
when the engine
is being
transported.
ENGINE DE-PRESERVATION
Engines that have been preserved for storage must undergo depreservation before they are put into service.
De-preservation procedures are typically included in the engine
manufacturers overhaul manual or provided by the overhauler
who preserved the engine.
The information presented here provides a general overview of
these procedures since they vary with the type of engine and
the degree of preservation.
When engines are supplied in pressurized containers, the first
task is to bleed off the gas pressure through the containers
pressure valve.
The container cover can then be lifted off and placed aside.
After hoisting the engine and removing any separate
accessories, secure the engine to a stand or mount it on the
aircraft.
Next, remove all covers and dessicant bags from the engine.
Typical locations of cover plates include engine breather tubes,
intake and exhaust outlets, and accessory mounting pads.
As each cover is removed, inspect the uncovered area for
corrosion and foreign objects. Furthermore, if the dehydrator
plugs indicate water contamination when they are removed,
thoroughly inspect the cylinder walls for corrosion.
Any cylinder showing signs of corrosion or other damage should
be removed and inspected further.
ENGINE DE-PRESERVATION
Remove the oil screens from the engine and
thoroughly wash them in kerosene or an approved
solvent to remove preservative accumulations that
could restrict oil circulation and cause engine failure.
After cleaning, immerse the screens in clean oil, then
reinstall them in the engine.
On radial engines, carefully check the interior of the
lower cylinders and intake pipes for the presence of
excessive corrosion preventive compound.
Excess compound can drain through the engine
interior and settle at low points, creating a liquid, or
hydraulic lock.
Any liquid preservative compounds remaining in a
cylinder, intake, or exhaust port that cannot be
drained should be removed with a hand pump.
ENGINE DE-PRESERVATION
Once you are done with the engine interior, remove
the protective covering from the propeller shaft.
Lightly coat the propeller shaft with engine oil or
whatever lubricant the engine manufacturer
recommends.
To complete the de-preservation procedure verify
that the engine exterior is clean.
Often a quantity of compound runs out of the engine
when the dehydrator plugs and oil screens are
removed.
Spray engine areas in need of cleaning with a
recommended solvent that does not leave any
residue or interfere with the proper functioning of
the accessories.
ACCESSORY DE-PRESERVATION
Good engine performance depends, in part, on the
condition of the engine accessories.
Although an engine is in a condition to give top
performance after being completely overhauled, any
oversight or error in reinstalling the accessories can
result in an engine malfunction or possibly irreparable
damage.
Therefore, follow recommended procedures in the
overhaul manual or the instructions that come with
overhauled or new accessories regarding depreservation and preparation for operation.
Before de-preserving any of the accessories enclosed
with the engine, consult the records enclosed with the
engine to determine how long the engine and
accessories have been in storage.
Some accessories are life limited and are considered
unsafe for use if their storage time exceeds the
manufacturers time limits.
Before installing any replacement accessory, check it
visually for signs of corrosion and for freedom of
operation.
ACCESSORY DE-PRESERVATION
Remove any plastic plugs and movement restraints
placed on the accessory for shipment.
In addition, lubricate the accessory drive shaft and
clean the mounting pad and flange prior to
installation.
Always install an accessory with new 0-rings or
gaskets between the mounting pad and the
accessory.
END OF LESSON