Replacement vacuum pump for Ovation?

[gsengle]

My engine driven pump up and died.  What would folks recommend as a replacement these days - m20r, Continental IO-550G5, anyone have an opinion?

thanks!

Greg

[kortopates]

Greg, you need to find out what's on there now and then see what your options are. You can start by looking at the TCDS. An overhauled unit is cheapest, but I prefer new and preferably a model like Tempest Tornado if your using something like my 216CW, another good option is Sigma Tec and then Rapco provides new replacement and O/H pumps. Sticking to the current model, or a direct replacement pump, will eliminate having to make any plumbing changes.

[gsengle]

Rapco RA242CW-10 appears to be my answer.  Aircraft ownership remains expensive

[Kwixdraw]

You've got a lot of aircraft there, a vac pump is no big deal. Be sure to change the filter elements and have the vacuum adjusted when the job is done. Don't let trash from the old one destroy the new one.

[gsengle]

I was half kidding about ownership being expensive, this is indeed relatively minor This is nothing compared for instance to the overhaul to come...  I'm glad its the vacuum pump rather than the AI, I'm guessing that would have been more $$$.  Good advice on filters, etc, that is definitely being done.  It is very nice to be in an aircraft with such good backup systems as well..  Any thoughts on backup electrical AI's?  I have a spot for one...

All that said, still have the 2 squawks from my other post (skywatch self identification and radio noise...)

g

[gsengle]

I was half kidding about ownership being expensive, this is indeed relatively minor This is nothing compared for instance to the overhaul to come...  I'm glad its the vacuum pump rather than the AI, I'm guessing that would have been more $$$.  Good advice on filters, etc, that is definitely being done.  It is very nice to be in an aircraft with such good backup systems as well..  Any thoughts on backup electrical AI's?  I have a spot for one...

All that said, still have the 2 squawks from my other post (skywatch self identification and radio noise...)

g

[carusoam]

Greg,

help me out, I am wondering if I am seeing the same thing?

Are you saying that the vacuum gauge indicates all is well but the AH wanders a few degrees left or right?

When putting the back-up pump on, the AH straightens up?  (not much additional vacuum shown)

I have seen a few degrees of wander, and was wondering if my eyes were wandering or if it was the plane.....

How many hours were on your self destructed vac pump?  I believe they are usually rated at 500hrs, but can be unpredictable.

You've got me thinking out loud....

Best regards,

-a-

[Kwixdraw]

Does your radio noise follow the engine rpm? That could possibly be an ignition harness though there are other causes too. Bad grounds. All sorts of stuff.

[Piloto]

I had good luck with the Rapco pumps, no failure so far after 1000 hours. Many pump failures are due to the rubber coupling and not the actual pump. Some of these couplings get brittle with aging and heat and tend to fail. On the Rapco pumps the coupling appears to be made of a stronger plastic material.

José

 

[gsengle]

Interesting.  Thats the same thing I saw for one flight.  But on the next flight it was unambiguous, no vacuum at all from the engine pump (as seen in the AI and the suction guage), and perfect operation off the backup.  I'm puzzled.  Can't explain the initial symptoms.  Now it just looks like pump failure.  Ideas?

g

[gsengle]

Looks like the pump seized / shaft sheared.  New one is already on.

[bnicolette]

Quote: gsengle

It is very nice to be in an aircraft with such good backup systems as well..  Any thoughts on backup electrical AI's?  I have a spot for one...

All that said, still have the 2 squawks from my other post (skywatch self identification and radio noise...)

g

[gsengle]

I have the perfect space for a backup AI.  I think I'll go electric, but if my fear is that my main AI dies (already have backup vacuum pump) should I be considering a second vacuum based AI since they are far cheaper?  That way, I have AI and vacuum redundancy - and the only higher risk is that the vacuum plumbing goes bad and I lose both AI's even with redundant vacuum pumps?

[kortopates]

Your second AI should be electric. I have standby electric vacuum pump and an electric backup AI. Loss of a vacuum pump, although common, is the not only thing that can bring down your vacuum system - for example the vacuum regulator can go taking out all vacuum instruments and if your system is not protected adequately with filters, a self destructing pump can take out an instrument. The electric AI is your only fully redundant choice. Plus I think its fair to say that the backup electric AI will give you more resale value down the road than a backup vacuum AI would.