Subject: P-port leak
From: Rotary Engine
Date: 9/14/2006, 11:06 PM
To: AA-me



   No doubt about it. The P-port is leaking.
   I machined a sleeve out of PVC pipe 1.875 inch diameter
   and slipped it into the p-port. Sure enough the sound
   stopped. Pull it out a couple of tenths and the sound
   starts again.

   I also found a tiny, tiny leak around the repair on the
   cracked rear rotor housing. Pumping the engine water jacket
   up to 50 psi with my compressor does wonders in the leak
   detection department.

   I borrowed a vacuum pump from my next door neighbor that
   repairs HIVAC stuff. I then pulled a continuous vacuum on
   the water jacket. Don't forget to take the schrader valve
   out of the pressure fitting.

   I cleaned around the tiny tiny leak
   with a small round file and acetone and applied a little more JB Weld.
   I left the vac pump sucking. Hopefully the vac pump will suck the
   JB Weld into the crack. We will see tomorrow if this works.
   I will pump up the water jacket to 50 psi tomorrow and
   see if the tiny tiny leak is gone. This can be repeated if
   necessary.

   If it works I will do the same thing to the p-port leak.

   By all means folks pressurize those p-ports before you assemble
   the engine. Much easier to fix before the engine is all put together.

   Also my neighbor loaned me some florescent soapy fluid
   which is great for detecting leaks.

   You might also be able to do this with a cheap hand vac
   pump you can buy in auto parts stores.

   Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.
   -------------------------------------------------------

   Any good vacuum will work.  The only reason   HVAC Technicians use
   ultra high vacuum (29+ inches of mercury) is to lower the boiling
   point of water so that any water in an air conditioner/refrigerator
   will become a gas and can be pumped out of the system.

   In this case, we are reducing the pressure inside the casting so the
   surface air pressure (14.7psi at sea level) will push the JB Weld
   into the crack.

   If you could place something like a rubber tire valve stem over the
   crack and get a seal, you could apply air pressure to the valve and
   get more pressure to drive in the JB Weld.

   Joel




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