To get the lead deposits out of the bottom of the cavity, one needs a rather straight tool, like this
But yes the basic thing is that if one flies properly leaned, there is IMHO no need for compressed air assisted cleaning of spark plugs. Mine have not been cleaned with the compressed air rig for about 10 years.
I do fly rich, my limiting factor is TIT at 1600 which is more than 130F ROP – and I also have a 1.2usg gami spread, my engine only runs LOP at 55%. Another argument for getting gami injectors, I guess.
I didn’t notice that kind of deposit when I removed the plugs myself a year ago, when I had my troubles coming back from Turkey. Since then the changes I’ve made are more aggressive leaning on the ground, running LOP in descents, and limiting TIT to 1600 instead of 1650.
my limiting factor is TIT at 1600 which is more than 130F ROP
That is very rich and pollutes the engine. You should fix your EGT spread and fly LOP. Very bad technique, no wonder your engine is unhappy…
First of all I suggest to get the TIT instrument calibrated. The procedure is in the maintenance manual and there is a screw on the back of the instrument. On the mmopa forum everybody is talking about little TIT differences but the calibration differences I have seen between different planes are quite big…
Which powersetting do you use?
To get the lead deposits out of the bottom of the cavity, one needs a rather straight tool, like this
I just use bits of welding wire. Works for years.
Sebastian,
I use 30" and 2400RPM below FL190, about 22.5USG for 1600TIT.
what airplane? what engine?
PA46-350P TIO-540-AE2A
I would never fly that engine ROP … I am not a PA-46 specialist (and do not know how well LOP will work) – but a similar TCM engine (IO-550) would be killed quickly. When I remove my plugs once a year (i use Tempest Fine Wire) they look almost like new.
I would fine tune the spread, if necessary with GAMI injectors, and only fly LOP in cruise. But I think one of the Malibu pilots should comment this.
Almost all Conti PA46s are flown LOP.
Almost all Lyco PA46s are flown ROP, and can’t be flown LOP.
