912ULS stumbles on climb-out
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 10:27 am
A Rotax 912ULS with 655 hours is exhibiting a serious issue with "stumbling" during take-off. Here's what happens:
Rubber replacement 10 hours ago, fuel pump was replaced. No issues with it during those 10 hours.
Fresh mogas, 93 octane, lead and ethanol free.
Carb floats were checked at last annual.
I can't decide if it's ignition or fuel. But biggest mystery is: why always when just starting to climb out, but no engine problems at any other time?
- No problems on startup.
- Engine comes to temp, smooth operation on taxi to runway, and runup goes fine (90 RPM drop on each side).
- Perform short-field takeoff procedure because there are trees at end of 3000 ft runway: flaps first notch, hold brakes, aux fuel pump on, WOT, release brakes, rotate, level off in ground effect to gain speed, raise nose to climb at Vx.
- Somewhere around leveling off in ground effect and pitching up to climb, the engine suddenly "stumbles". It doesn't quit, but it is much less than full power. This has happened twice now and both times I was able to abort, settle on the runway, and get it stopped before doing any damage.
- When the throttle is pulled back to idle to get back on the runway, the engine idles smoothly and doesn't die.
- Taxi back to hangar is uneventful (purrs like a kitten).
Rubber replacement 10 hours ago, fuel pump was replaced. No issues with it during those 10 hours.
Fresh mogas, 93 octane, lead and ethanol free.
Carb floats were checked at last annual.
I can't decide if it's ignition or fuel. But biggest mystery is: why always when just starting to climb out, but no engine problems at any other time?