Egine mount Failure......VariEze Lyc O-235

[Gilbert DRIEUX]

Looking for an oil leak (the joint was missing at the bottom of the oill filler...), I was horified to discover a brokend tube in the engine mount .......!
VariEze,
Engine O-235 C2C,
Flying hours : 47 + ground tests.
Mount bought ...25 years ago at Brook. As several other parts at this time.

The brokend tube, is the one running from uper left fuselage fixation (WL 22.5 / BL 8.32) to bottom left engine fixation WL 16.1 / BL 5.75)
Brokend at 0.5 inch above this lovest point. Strait cut, perpenducular to the tube axe, as with a razor  !  ?
I have pictures, but don't know how to link them here.....

When do that hapend ? Don't know exactly. Had my annual visite myselself two weeks ago. was it still existing ? I think NO, but can I be certain ?

Questions :
1 what append ?
2 Is that part still availaible somewhere now ?
3 If not, I'll consider to repair it (I do know some qualified TIG/argon welder, chande this tube or inserting a steel rod in and extending he soldered weld along)

Is there other reports on such failure ?

PS : My plane is now grounded for quite a little time, as the weather is so nice....!

All comments are welcome.

[Waiter]

WOAH, I seen the photos, The break is very clean, like there was no penetration at all from the weld. It looks like there was no weld between the tubes.

This can be repaired, but I would carefully inspect ALL the welds.

Waiter

[Gilbert DRIEUX]

Of course I'll inspect carrefully ALL the welds. If possible, through magnetoscopy and UV, to look for any possible other cracks along the welds borders.

As you see it, the break is very clean !  Doesn't look as a tear or laceration.
Rather "far" from weld; about 1/2 inch; little less than tube OD.
If possible, I'll contact a "Weld specialist labor" in order to get theyre opinion (not for lawyers...! ), and 'll tell you the result. If any.....
For now, I have a lot of "winter job" during summer time  :lol: Laying down engine & fuzy détails, and back.....
To do & to undo, is always to do. As my greatmother said, (in french).
I had rather be flying  :roll:

[Gilbert DRIEUX]

All connections to engine are cleared.(electrical, power, mixture, carburator heat, RPM sender, EGT, CHT, etc......).
Engine will be down tomorrow.
The tube is brocken at 0.5" from weld, and exactly at the location of the little hole done to allow warm air to exit during welding process.

Regards,

Does Spruce Aircraft provide the former Ken Brock engine mount O-235 ?

[Glider pilot]

Check the inside of the tube for corrosion if any is found then replace the
mount do not repair as the other tubes are about to fail also. the small hole is there for two reasons. one is to allow the expanded air out during welding and then a small amount of linseed oil is injected into the tube to prevent corrosion and then the hole is welded closed. I do not know why ken brock did not do this standard FAA aproved proceedure to his mounts because in time corrosion will destroy the mount from the inside. the crack at this hole is common with Brock mounts and has nothing to do with weld penetration. the corrosion starts at the hole and weakens the metal and a crack starts at the weakest point.

[Jack]

Looking for an oil leak (the joint was missing at the bottom of the oill filler...), I was horified to discover a brokend tube in the engine mount .......!
VariEze,
.

You want your engine mount perfecto.  I had one bust on my Q-200 at liftoff one day.  It threw me into a left 90 degree bank, while I had full right bank input, dragged my left main mount a tad on the tarmac, and finally when the engine and prop came back down it took out the carb and part of the right wing. Right part of the mount had failed.

It was beyond a wild ride for me.

Jack