Vernier throttle sticking

[airmocha]

On my flight home with my 231 last October, I got the throttle stuck in initial climb at about 32". For a while, I was afraid I was going to have to do an intentional shutdown and deadstick landing, but I finally got it freed up, took the friction lock off/apart, saw the problem (the little leather washer that's the heart of the friction adjuster gets pinched between the throttle control shaft and its housing), and learned how to avoid repeating my "mistake" (advancing power via vernier action with the friction lock in a relatively high state).

I've operated other vernier engine controls in other airplanes since the 1970's without any trouble whatsoever.

Since then, I've had no serious issues operating with this glitch, but today I began some formation instruction in preparation to fly in Caravan 2021, and really had trouble with the frequent power changes necessary. My instructor said he recommends I not attempt to fly formation any more until I get the issue corrected.

Suggestions most appreciated!

My mistress is a well maintained '85 231 with a ModWorks 262 conversion (252 FWF).

Edited June 13, 2020 by airmocha

[carusoam]

First things MSers do for this...

1) recognize that controls often age faster than we do...

2) 2k hours or 50 years... is a good time to send out to pasture...

3) Getting them swapped out with new ones is a process called owner produced parts...

4) There is a preferred supplier around here for engine controls...
 

5) next steps... Log review... how old are they....

6) Rule of thumb, change at engine OH....

7) Downside... engine controls fail in the wrong position... followed by engine problems, lack of power.... and a very long day or two.....

8) See if you can get a new leather friction part.... it may be made out of some polymer now...

9) since you are in there... check every part of the control from one end to the other... wear can be insidious....
 

10)  Who / where were you formating with?

PP thoughts only, not a mechanic....
 

Best regards,

-a-

[CharlesHuddleston]

McFarlane just rebuilt my 1982 K manual cowl flap control cable. Removed the broken cable, sent it to them, and was back in my hands recreated in under 2 weeks. Actually seemed to be of better quality than the original!
https://www.mcfarlaneaviation.com/articles/flight-control-cables/content/

[airmocha]

Thank you! Hoping it's an easier fix than that. Issue is with the friction lock's washer, not with the cable itself. Hoping washer is the key/only part needing replaced.

 

Always loved the quadrant throttles on modern Pipers. These push-pull things have always seemed ergonomically odd to me.

[airmocha]

FIXED.

Little principle called lubrication.

Cleaned throttle shaft with kerosene saturated rag, wiped dry, wiped again with silicone spray.

Zip zip. Can't get it to stick now even with friction lock cranked down hard.

[carusoam]

 Clean and lubricate...

The first response of every MSer... 
 

Great follow-up!

Best regards,

-a-

[Chris newton]

Mc Farlane made one for me . Great to deal with