Tipsy Nipper

Gents,

my Nipper has an early Jab engine. The rear cylinders are worn (pretty sure its the bores not just rings). ST don't think that new cylinders are available and say that I >may< be able to machine the spigots off a new (later) set and use those.

Does anyone have any relevant info or heard about anyone replating old cylinders? I'm told that they aren't thick enough to be sleeved and that no oversize pistons or rings are available......

Cheers,

Daz.

P.S. I'm now flying her though

Basic Flying Rules: "Try to stay in the middle of the air. Do not go near the edges of it. The edges of the air can be recognized by the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and interstellar space. It is much more difficult to fly there"

Daz - Overheard on the Starlet chat this year (2006!), but nothing more was related. Presume it was an earlier engine with mechanical valve lifters, rather than hydraulic.

My Starlets Jabiru 2200 died recently with alloy flake found in the oil filter at the scheduled oil change (engine total time 310 hrs).

So Heads and Barrels off and…Pistons scored everywhere, broken ring in no #4 and worn valve guides…more detail than this post needs….

The Jabiru factory( Don Richter) has been of wonderful value with advice and helped keep the cost contained- many Thanks to Jab.

Hi,

I've had plenty of advice about this - thanks. I'm very disapointed that Jabiru appear not to support 'old' engines (1996!) but ST have been very helpful. Fingers crossed, they have a solution for me - involving later barrels and heads.

What a fantastic 'plane though! Can't wait to fly her on four pots instead of two and two bits!

Daz.

Darren, Daz
Bet mine is older than yours !!! actually it is serial No 17 in the A2200 type (I believe that there is one 1600 jab flying in the UK). My little donk now has 742 hrs and it was the first one fitted to a Nipper in 1996 .I have had a couple of probs with it but nothing really serious. After I bought the nipper (16 months and 68 hours flying ago ) i was doing routine servicing and spotted excessive play in the no 1 cyl rockers. I replaced these along with new bushes and circlips at a total cost of £32 includind postage ! Brilliant and I have found that the guys at ST most helpful and willing to pass on their tips.
One other niggle involves slight oil loss at the pushrod tubes to crankcase juncture. No ammount of sealant will cure it. It is a tiny amount but no one lijes oil leaks do they.
I have given up reading the Jabiru engine forum on yaho as there is so much disinformation and scaremongering that it gets depressing. I here that there was much chin scratching over the alloy connecting rods ? Mine has them. My compressins are all around the 72 -74/80. My whole point is that I am convinced that regular oil changes and new oil filter every 25 hrs is the key. Last time I changed the oil I took the sump cover off and had a butchers and was suprised at how pristine the internals are. The cam followers are like new with no visible signs of wear aside from the shinyness due to use. This has to be due to good husbandry as the log books indicate regular changes.
I guess I have been very lucky as i regularly aerobat the little beastie and I know the previous owner did loads as well and he had it for 6 years and put 450 hours on it.
Anyway chaps I would be interested in your thoughts and indeed any little dodges or tips
All the best,
Pat G_ASXI

Hi,

No bet! Mine is 104. It also leaks from the push rod tubes - I'm told it's normal - at least it won't rust!

Cheers,

Daz.