61
AeroVee 2.1
Rev Z. 01/14/2015
Sonex Aircraft
LLC
© 2014 All Rights Reserved
START-UP and BREAK IN
Bringing your engine to life is exciting and rewarding. These
points and procedures will assure the greatest success.
SAFETY FIRST!
__ 1. Have the correct propeller installed, torqued and
tracked. DO NOT OPERATE THE ENGINE WITH-
OUT A PROPELLER.
__ 2. Remove loose tools, rags, and debris from the engine
and immediate area.
__ 3. One person MUST remain in the cockpit while the
engine is running, and an observer MUST be on hand to
keep an eye on the engine in case of oil leak, fire, and to
observe and keep bystanders safely away.
__ 4. Have an approved fire extinguisher available.
__ 5. Know your aircraft's cockpit controls.
__ 6. Tie the aircraft down securely, set the brakes, and chock
the wheels.
__ 7. Start the engine using a checklist. The AeroCarb manual
includes some sample start-up and shut-down checklists
which may be used or adapted to your aircraft.
Engine Checks
__ 1. Cowl removed.
__ 2. Oil in crankcase.
__ 3. All parts installed and secured.
__ 4. Propeller installed, torqued, and tracked.
__ 5. Heads torqued and valves properly adjusted.
__ 6. Electronic ignition system static-timed.
Break-in, the First 25 Hours
Proper break-in will help you get the best performance and
longest life from your AeroVee engine.
__ 1. Limit ground running to what is needed to properly tune
the engine and assure no oil leaks.
__ 2. Do not "baby" the engine during the first few flights.
As soon as possible, climb to a safe altitude over your
airfield and operate the engine at 3000 rpm and above
for at least an hour. This will seat the rings. Monitor the
engine's temperatures and reduce throttle as needed to
keep the engine temperatures "in the green". Step climb
if needed. Higher than normal temperatures during the
break-in period are to be expected, however, tempera-
tures which exceed the redline or continue to climb
must be investigated.
__ 3. Change the oil at 1 hour, 5 hours, 10 hours, and 25
hours.
__ 4. Adjust the valves at 5 hours, 10 hours, and 25 hours.
__ 5. Torque the heads and adjust the valves at 10 hours and
25 hours. Always torque the heads before adjusting the
valves.
After 25 hours you should see the engine's temperatures
decrease and stabilize and there should be little change
in the head torque.
Starting the Engine
__ 1. Install the correct oil and prime the engine as described
in "Engine Oil", previous page.
__ 2. Use your start-up checklist to start the engine.
__ 3. Immediately upon engine start look for oil pressure. If
no oil pressure registers in 5 seconds, turn off the engine
and investigate.
__ 4. If the engine does not start, investigate the cause (see
Troubleshooting section).
__ 5. Adjust the timing of the electronic ignition as required.
There should be little or no change in RPM when per-
forming a mag check between 1600 and 2000 RPM. A
change of more than 50 RPM indicates a timing correc-
tion is needed.
__ 6. Tune the AeroCarb for optimum engine performance.
Tuning is detailed in the AeroCarb manual.
__ 7. Limit ground running to the minimum necessary to
correct the timing, tune the AeroCarb, assure smooth
throttle response, confirm proper oil pressure, and as-
sure no oil leaks.
important: extended ground running will overheat
the engine and cause serious damage.
