Bad luck continues - fuel pressure cut out engine

[Quint Van Deman]

All--

Unfortunately my bad luck continues with the 180. My freshly overhauled engine started running rough on downwind over the weekend. I flipped on the electric pump (which I was about to do anyway) and made a short pattern. As I turned towards the base leg, the engine went from running rough to basically unresponsive. It was still running, but wasn't generating any real power. Luckily, I was able to touch down without incident, but as soon as i retarded the throttle on roll out, the engine immediately died. I was able to coast onto the taxi way past the hold short line, but had to be towed back in.

After digesting the situation, I should have obviously applied carb heat, and noted the fuel pressure on the gauge, but my focus had turned to flying the airplane and getting it down safely, so those two pieces of information are missing. But subsequent attempts to start the engine (after giving it a full day to cool/clear) result in the same basic symptoms:
- The electric fuel pump runs at full tilt and gives no indication of being able to build pressure in the lines.
- The engine will start, but runs very rough until the throttle is pushed in nearly halfway at which point it awakes like a bear from hybernation.
- When throttle is reduced it immediately dies.
- The condition does not change based on the tank selection.
- The proper motion of the throttle, carb heat, and mixture was observed on the carb itself.

I have my mechanic coming out to look at it today. Having read the tips section on site & applying my own mechanical sense it sounds like either the fuel strainer or something in the fuel lines between the electric pump and the tanks blocking the fuel flow. Does anyone else have any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,

-Quint

[Jay]

An overhauled engine does not necessarily mean an overhauled fuel pump. I would check both the engine and electric pumps.

Jay

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Sounds like a carburetor problem to me.

[Quint Van Deman]

[Quint Van Deman]

Verdict confirmed. The new carb went on today and all is well. I guess I'll consider myself luck that it didn't turn into a bigger emergency in the air. I'm going to follow up with marvel schebler to figure out why it failed after only 40 hrs, but for now the 180 is back in the air.

Thanks,

Quint

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

I wish I could say the same...
Zach