Carb Ice
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 11:51 pm
I had an interesting encounter today with carb ice. I
was cruising along at 5500 feet and 2350 RPM, when I
noticed my fuel flow drop off and rpm drop a bit. My
first reaction was to move in my mixture, which did
nothing. That told me right away something wasn't
right. More throttle didn't help either, and only
caused a sputter, so I backed that off again, too.
Closing and opening my tank valves did nothing either.
I remembered my experience a few months back when I had
the problem with the primer, and checked it, including
pumping it a few times, but again that didn't help. By
this time max rpm was down to 2200 and still dropping.
Finally, I pulled carb heat, and within a few seconds I
watched my fuel flow jump up and rpm climb. I shoved in
full throttle, and was very happy to see full power
come back and everything was normal again.
So what's unusual or interesting about this? Well, it
was one of those hot beautiful cloudless days, when you
would least expect carb ice. I have an OAT gauge and it
was 22C (about 70F) up there at that time. The only
unusual thing is that it was much warmer than usual at
that altitude for this time of year.
The only other time I have ever encountered carb ice
was actually in similar conditions, when we were flying
across Montana, or was it North Dakota, with Bobp and
the Ramble gang in the middle of summer. Again it was a
warm day, and when I least expected carb ice. However,
there were thunder storms nearby, so maybe that meant
humid conditions. Again, I reacted similarly, and carb
ice was the last thing I applied.
In winter here on the wet coast, I often fly in damp
cold days barely above freezing, but have never
encountered carb ice. So that's why I was so surprised
to get it on a warm sunny day.
I think next time, I will be pulling my carb heat a
little sooner, if my engine falters. It's funny,
though, I'm always very diligent with pulling carb heat
when descending to land. Or when I'm about to cross
some hostile territory away from a safe landing spot, I
always check carb heat as part of an overall engine
check. Yet it was the last thing I checked when I
actually had carb ice.
Also, I had a new passenger aboard for his first
flight. We were over water, so quickly explained to
him, not to worry as we could land anywhere if we had
to. He was OK, and never did know my true concern
initially when I couldn't figure out what was wrong.
The rest of the flight and subsequent flights were all
OK, so had a great day otherwise.
So just wanted to share with the group, that carb ice
indeed can happen when you least expect it.
Walter
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was cruising along at 5500 feet and 2350 RPM, when I
noticed my fuel flow drop off and rpm drop a bit. My
first reaction was to move in my mixture, which did
nothing. That told me right away something wasn't
right. More throttle didn't help either, and only
caused a sputter, so I backed that off again, too.
Closing and opening my tank valves did nothing either.
I remembered my experience a few months back when I had
the problem with the primer, and checked it, including
pumping it a few times, but again that didn't help. By
this time max rpm was down to 2200 and still dropping.
Finally, I pulled carb heat, and within a few seconds I
watched my fuel flow jump up and rpm climb. I shoved in
full throttle, and was very happy to see full power
come back and everything was normal again.
So what's unusual or interesting about this? Well, it
was one of those hot beautiful cloudless days, when you
would least expect carb ice. I have an OAT gauge and it
was 22C (about 70F) up there at that time. The only
unusual thing is that it was much warmer than usual at
that altitude for this time of year.
The only other time I have ever encountered carb ice
was actually in similar conditions, when we were flying
across Montana, or was it North Dakota, with Bobp and
the Ramble gang in the middle of summer. Again it was a
warm day, and when I least expected carb ice. However,
there were thunder storms nearby, so maybe that meant
humid conditions. Again, I reacted similarly, and carb
ice was the last thing I applied.
In winter here on the wet coast, I often fly in damp
cold days barely above freezing, but have never
encountered carb ice. So that's why I was so surprised
to get it on a warm sunny day.
I think next time, I will be pulling my carb heat a
little sooner, if my engine falters. It's funny,
though, I'm always very diligent with pulling carb heat
when descending to land. Or when I'm about to cross
some hostile territory away from a safe landing spot, I
always check carb heat as part of an overall engine
check. Yet it was the last thing I checked when I
actually had carb ice.
Also, I had a new passenger aboard for his first
flight. We were over water, so quickly explained to
him, not to worry as we could land anywhere if we had
to. He was OK, and never did know my true concern
initially when I couldn't figure out what was wrong.
The rest of the flight and subsequent flights were all
OK, so had a great day otherwise.
So just wanted to share with the group, that carb ice
indeed can happen when you least expect it.
Walter
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