Thread: Blue/green oily substance on the hangar floor

Had a little scare this morning when I went out to fly the LS after it sitting for 3 weeks. I opened up the hangar door and saw a puddle of a blue/green liquid on the floor under my front wheel. My oil is cream to light brown so I new it wasn't that, and my radiator fluid is bluish, but doesn't appear oily feeling. I couldn't figure out what it was. My plane just turned 75hrs. Took the cowling off and found leaks around the radiator and up on the top of the baffles near the radiator fill cap. A friend of mine is an A&P and just happened to pop in just then so we looked carefully at each line that had a "worm gear" clamp on the cooling system. Every one of them was loose and able to be turned about 1 full turn to tighten it up. I might add that it was VERY cold this morning 24 degreesF. Well, I tightened them all up except the one on the very back of the engine which I couldn't reach for the life of me. No more leaks.
I'll have them go over the clamps again at the 100 hr inspection. You might want to check them.

John

Originally Posted by Patrnflyr

... it was VERY cold this morning 24 degreesF...

which was it "VERY cold" or "24 degreesF" ?

I had the same problem of cooloing fluid leakage each time there was a big difference between day and night tempertaure (more than 25 ° C of difference).
I identified the problem on my CTLS. The leakage is comming from this pipe (see picture) which is larger than the other one (I don't know why). I had to tighten the clamp (which again is not the same than the others) and everything return in order !

You're right about that clamp. There are about 8-10 of them all around the engine. I was able to tighten each of them except the one behind the engine as I couldn't find a way to access it. I'll have them do it at 100hr inspection.

to be accurate, I never saw the leakage immediately after flying (when engine was hot) but I found drops on the ground only on the morning ...

Hi Guys,
You are all correct. Those worm drive coolant hose clamps should have a screwdriver put on them at every inspection. The OAT changes, the hose underneath the clamp gets squashed, expansion and contraction, ect... Bottom line is they may seep coolant. Usually it never pours out, it just seeps and drives you nuts. You may not even know you have a leak as it can dry as fast as it seeps. If you fill the reservoir up to the metal band then notice after a while the level is down some then the screw clamps are usually the culprit. Just give then a turn or so at your inspections. Another little tip for your A&P's. Make a tip list for your A&P.

The blue valve covers are something new? What is the difference between green and blue engines?

Originally Posted by navygolf

The blue valve covers are something new? What is the difference between green and blue engines?

No, is the french version of 912 ULS. In performance terms, there is no difference between green and blue.
So, I don't really know the differences, but could be only the papers [!?]...

Alec

Originally Posted by Patrnflyr

[...] I was able to tighten each of them except the one behind the engine as I couldn't find a way to access it. [...]

I strongly suggest you to check the main hose clamp and position to coolant pump. You can do it with a long screwdriver and maybe with some nylon tie straps cut&replace.
Also, you must have NO space where the little arrow is in picture [made with mobile phone, sorry for the quality].

Alec

one is 100hp and the other is 80hp