Round engines are different
from flat piston engines because, well, they're round. In addition, oil flows
into the cylinders after shutdown. Unless the oil is discovered and the cylinder
drained before the engine is rotated, catastrophic damage can occur. AVweb's Rick
Durden explains what hydraulic lock is, why it happens and what you can do about
it.
There is a lot of misinformation
about the seriousness of hydraulic lock in radial engines and what to do about
it. If you fly an aircraft with a radial engine, then I highly recommend you visit
AVweb's Pilot Lounge and read this article before you do another preflight. It
could save you money and eliminate serious problems.
http://www.avweb.com/articles/lounge/tpl0027.html
(After reading the article you can click
your browser's "back button" to return here)
I would like to
encourage anyone reading this article to share their experience, comments, and
any discussion on the Culpeper List. If you are not subscribed to the list, just
send me an email with "subscribe culpeper" in the subject line and I'll
take care of it for you. Click here to subscribe.
Then, when your
ready to send your comments to the list, use the following address: culpeper@gtechno.com
Please use "Radial Engine" in the subject line so that those on
the list who are not interested or don't fly a radial engine can just delete the
message without opening it. If you click on culpeper@gtechno.com above it should
bring up your "new email" window with the address already located on
the "TO:" line.
Jerry Smith
