I just took apart my 13b after replacing it with my spare. I removed

it

because it was low on power and blowing oil out the breather tube.  I
found the front rotor overheated. The front face was the worst, the

side

seals were partially disintegrated and totally seized in their slots.
The oil seal O-rings were completely gone on that side, only part of

an

O-ring remained on the rear face.

The cause was a piece of silicone sealant stuck in the E-shaft oiling
jet, blocking oil cooling to that rotor. I had modified the jets by
removing the ball and spring and installing a smaller Weber jet. This
was a bad idea, I think the spring would have acted as a filter and

kept

the debris out.
The offending debris came from too much sealant used for the stock

oil

filter bypass plate.
Second lesson learned: Don't use silicone sealer anyplace after the

oil

filter. Or at least use it very sparingly.

Chuck Dunlap

Chuck,
 I'd like to suggest that you use Hylomar to seal any surface which will

have oil in and/or around it. Hylomar is one of only 3 sealants approved by
Lycoming for sealing the case halves on their engines. It does not harden.
It will not plug up an oil passageway. You can find it at any auto parts
store. Permatex makes it under license.

 One warning. Do NOT use it on oil seals. Since it does not dry. It will

act as a lubricant and cause the seal to move out of it's bore.

Charlie Kuss

I'm not sure what oil bypass adapter Chuck was using but the Racing Beat
adapter that most builders use has O-rings which requires no sealant at all.

Tracy Crook
tcrook@rotaryaviation.com
www.rotaryaviation.com

 
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