Vapor Lock All The Time

Guest Discussion
1

Hi All,

This pertains to my SR20- G2 with a newly overhauled Continental IO-360-ES.

I am experiencing what I believe is vapor lock on the majority of my initial engine startups. I can tell it is going to happen because the gascolator sump is completely dry. When I prime the engine, the Fuel Flow gauge does not come alive as it normally does and the engine will not start. From this, I can surmise that the fuel has evaporated off all the way past the electric fuel pump. To remedy this, I have been getting out of the plane and shaking the wing while someone else primes the engine, which always works.

However, it keeps happening over and over. And it never happened with the old engine. Any insights?

-Lannon

2

Hi Lannon,

Welcome to the COPA Guest forum. Let me start with the advice to become a member, enjoy the benefits of it like discounts at Jeppesen, etc. and increased attention of the crowd here. If you have an SR20 G2 with a new engine, you have a sister plane of mine :wink:

I don’t think you have vapor lock. That is only a thing on hot starts with a heat soaked engine. The gascolators shouldn’t be empty either. I fear they messed something up with the installation, there’s a leak somewhere, the boost pump pulls air in from somewhere, etc. I would bring the bird to the shop that overhauled the engine. Being a little bit of a coward, honestly I wouldn’t fly it at all and have them come to me.

Good luck and enjoy your SR20 G2, the best Cirrus out there :innocent:

4 Likes
3

Hey Robert,

Thanks for the warm welcome and insight. I’ll be renewing my membership after I hit send. I’m assuming you mean fuel leak, right? If so, I haven’t noticed a loss in fuel levels, in-flight or on the ground, or any blue puddles under the plane. Nevertheless, I’ll be running this by my mechanic.

-Lannon

1 Like
4

I was a little confused as you said vapor lock, but a hot start must not include priming the engine. It’s mixture full, half power lever, boost pump on and immediately crank. And for a cold start, even on a hot day, vapor lock is unlikely. Good luck with the investigation!

1 Like