TKS taking forever to wet the panels

[redbaron1982]

Hey,

As I continue testing everything equipment in my new (to me) Mooney, one that is giving me a hard time is the TKS system. So the thing is that it hasn't been exercised for 14 months (long repair).

I run it some days ago, and no wetting at all (and no visible drippings anywhere). The fluid level indicated 1.7 gallons. The windshield de ice works OK.

Today, while the main pump was running, I use the windshield because I read that this can help with priming the main pump. So it did something, one wing was wet the first couple of feet, the other one was wet about 4 feet and one of the horizontal stabilizer panels dripped a bit from the part closer to the empennage. The main pump run for 1hr approx. and 20 minutes intervals I run the windshield pump just in case it helps with priming.

As you can see I still have loooots of TKS panels not getting wet.

Two questions:

• Should I continue running the main pump every time I go to work (I'm doing a deep cleaning outside and inside) in the airplane or if after 1hr not all surfaces are wet I should stop and get the system inspected?
• Is there anything else I could do to make wetting all the panels faster?

 

[StevenL757]

@CAV Ice for input and guidance.

Outstanding folks…who will be along shortly.

[Fritz1]

quite normal for system that has not bee used in a while, put TKS fluid into small container and massage it into dead spots of panel with sponge, run system for a couple of minutes, do more sponging, eventually all the the panels will start flowing again, thereafter run once a month dispensing about 1 gal, properly primed system will dribble on hangar floor when pressure drops, once it stops dribbling time to re-prime, best time to re-prime is when it is cold outside, I rather re-prime on the ground, much less mess on the airframe and less re-lubing of controls, TKS fluid washes lube out of rod ends, good idea to wash airplane thoroughly after icing season, take off belly pan, clean inside, lube rod ends, lube rod ends in flight control system and landing gear, lube trim jackscrew in tail. The system really works, most important lesson for me in 6 years of use, call ahead and make sure fluid is available, when in doubt put 2.5 gal jug in trunk

 

 

 

 

 

[exM20K]

You may benefit from having the system purged.

https://www.cav-systems.com/product/tks-fluid-test-cart/

There used to be a big list of installation centers on their website, but now it shows only JA Aircenter in Il and Lincoln Park in NJ.

Any installation center, and maybe any big cirrus shop, should have the purge equipment.

 

It's good news that your w/s pump is working.  those are prone to seizing and not cheap.

-dan

[GeeBee]

This^^^^^^^^^^
 

You can purge it yourself with about 200 dollars in parts. It is just a pressure pot and filter with gauges and the appropriate tubing and fittings. Alternatively if you are in or close to the ATL metro, you could borrow mine. I would be happy to lend it to you.

[redbaron1982]

46 minutes ago, GeeBee said:

This^^^^^^^^^^
 

You can purge it yourself with about 200 dollars in parts. It is just a pressure pot and filter with gauges and the appropriate tubing and fittings. Alternatively if you are in or close to the ATL metro, you could borrow mine. I would be happy to lend it to you.

Can you send me a couple of pictures of your setup? I'm in Houston area, I should start doing some long XC closer to the summer (whenever I've finished my transition training and get more acclimated to the airplane) If I haven't figure this out by then for sure I will ask yours!

[GeeBee]

Sure. It will be a couple of weeks because I am away from home base.

[StevenL757]

4 hours ago, GeeBee said:

This^^^^^^^^^^
 

You can purge it yourself with about 200 dollars in parts. It is just a pressure pot and filter with gauges and the appropriate tubing and fittings. Alternatively if you are in or close to the ATL metro, you could borrow mine. I would be happy to lend it to you.

Same here, but in the NY - Long Island area.  I built one and have used it twice so far.  Works great.

[redbaron1982]

16 minutes ago, StevenL757 said:

Same here, but in the NY - Long Island area.  I built one and have used it twice so far.  Works great.

If you can share photos too would be awesome!

[Mcstealth]

Did you run the backup pump? Same result?

[redbaron1982]

3 minutes ago, Mcstealth said:

Did you run the backup pump? Same result?

It's non FIKI, so no backup pump

[geoffb]

Also, temperature matters.  If you on the ground and it’s warm, the outer panels may not wet.  The system is very viscosity sensitive.  If the fluid is too warm, it can flow out of the inner (lower) panels and never really wet the others.  Fly at an altitude 0c or just below and let it run.

[Mcstealth]

39 minutes ago, geoffb said:

Also, temperature matters.  If you on the ground and it’s warm, the outer panels may not wet.  The system is very viscosity sensitive.  If the fluid is too warm, it can flow out of the inner (lower) panels and never really wet the others.  Fly at an altitude 0c or just below and let it run.

Hmmm. Interesting. First I've heard this. 

[exM20K]

8 hours ago, geoffb said:

Also, temperature matters.  If you on the ground and it’s warm, the outer panels may not wet.  The system is very viscosity sensitive.  If the fluid is too warm, it can flow out of the inner (lower) panels and never really wet the others.  Fly at an altitude 0c or just below and let it run.

It should flow on the ground, but it may operate at a low enough pressure that the low pressure sensor light will illuminate.  IIRC, that sensor is in the vertical tail (high relative to the pumps) and very sensitive. At least in my experience, it will wet the panels well despite the low pressure light being on, but YMMV.

One of the South Florida shops that works on a lot of these keeps a few gallons in the fridge for testing purposes….

[Bolter]

8 hours ago, Mcstealth said:

Hmmm. Interesting. First I've heard this. 

The TKS supplement states 90°F, which is pretty warm, the low pressure light may stay on.  Their website says 65°F.  In my own experience, 65°F is more realistic threshold.  That is not the same as "not flowing" but I can see it being related.  

[GeeBee]

I can get all panels to wet out on the ground in the summer in Georgia. The low pressure light may not extinguish but the panels will wet. The sensors in the tail on my R sit below the horizontal stab.

[CAV Ice]

@redbaron1982 I sent you a PM.