Running the engine with removed belly panels

[Martin S.]

To the experienced mechanics (and everybody who has tested it),

Is there any changes of damage to the control rods and/or electric devices and/or skin by the propeller wind and/or exhaust stream when temporarily (ca. 5min) running the engine with removed belly panels? Has anybody first-hand experiences?

 

Greets,

 

Martin

[tmo]

I believe it is standard practice to do a run up after maintenance / oil change that way. Low power, short time. I do it every oil change.

(sorry, I misunderstood, and thought you meant the cowling, hence the answer I gave)

Edited June 29, 2022 by tmo

[PT20J]

I wouldn't do it on my airplane. It's not going to hurt anything from the exhaust or prop blast, but there are a lot of lubricated parts there and you are likely to blow dirt around into greased parts (like jackscrews and rod ends and u-joints) where you don't want it because it is abrasive and will accelerate wear. Running with the cowling removed is pretty standard to check for leaks after maintenance.

Skip

[Martin S.]

Thanks, I'll be careful if doing it.

[A64Pilot]

They aren’t structural panels, I don’t think you’ll do any harm