Lost oil pressure - forced landing

[Sonex1517]

I do not know what caused it yet. Airplane is at the field I landed in, awaiting recovery.

Bill - I am buying a Gen 4 Jabiru and would like to hear about your experience and get the baffle patterns. I do not have your number but sent you a PM.

[wlarson861]

never got the private message. you can email me at: wdotlarsoneightsixtyone@hotmaildot com Change the words to symbols and numbers and you will get me. I have to pull the cowl and take off the baffles and trace the mods. The baffle kit from Sonex was a good start but the mods that took me two weeks, you should be able to do in a few hours with the templates. I plan to send a set to Sonex so they can modify their baffles or at least send the patterns to future builders. I also used the hinged design as shown by Jeff Schultz in his since the part that attaches to the rocker covers was so off it was easier to cut off the original and make a part that fit. I would have done Jeff's mod anyway just to have access to the spark plugs.

[jjbardell]

Robbie,
I know you and I have had our differences in the past. But I am glad to hear you’re not putting another home built/converted engine in your plane. I read you were looking at a Corvair. The Jab gen4 is a superior engine and one many of us wished we had started with. Bill’s plane sounds amazing, performs destroys the aerovee turbo, there’s no oil smell, no burps, no hassles, no failures. You’ll be so happy. It’s worth the extra money up front. Good luck to you on your conversion!

[quote=I am buying a Gen 4 Jabiru and would like to hear about your experience and get the baffle patterns. I do not have your number but sent you a PM.[/quote]

[Sonex1517]

Hey Josh

Thank you very much! Apologies here in public for anything I said or did that caused issues.

We are buying a Jabiru 3300 Gen 4 for the Sonex.

Blue skies
Robbie

[Tnhelm]

Good job Robbie

Thelm

[jjbardell]

Thank you Robbie. Keep me posted and let me know if you need a hand. I’m a short 15 min flight away.

[Bryan Cotton]

Robbie,
Well done.

[n307tw]

Wow man - what a story to tell at the hanger. Glad you and the plane are ok, and that it solidified your decision to go with the Jab. I too am interested in what caused the oil loss but thankful you walked away from this one man. Be well and good luck on the conversion.

-Tim

[DCASonex]

Robbie,

Just a reminder, with your new Jabiru engine. Do not use the K&N oil filter with on nice hex that is spot welded on end. These look like they should be ideal for our engines, high flow for our thick oil and heavier case for higher pressure However, The pulsations from the Jabiru / CAMit PRV resulted in two of those cracking around the spot welds. one resulting in total oil loss and forced landing airport 5 miles out, fortunately had altitude at the time. Have also had one of the recommended NAPA 1394 Gold filters crack at a small dent, so take care with those. Bob Panther in the UK has been working on a new drop-in PRV replacement that is looking good so far so may have a better option soon. I have tried several alternate designs on my own, but while all got rid of the hydraulic jack hammer effect of the original, was able to find a condition where each buzzed at a higher frequency. Have been too busy with other projects to pursue it further, (or to fly much) -Drat!.

David A.

[Sonerai13]

Great job Robbie! Good on ya! Great decision making process leading to a successful conclusion.

You may have heard me say it before, but in any airplane, oil pressure is King! Everything else is negotiable. I always fly with one eye on the oil pressure gauge at all times. It pays!!

Again, congrats on a job well done.