MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR AIRCRAFT ENGINES: HOW TO KEEP YOUR ENGINE RUNNING SMOOTHLY

 

The health of your aircraft engine is of the utmost importance. It’s the heart and soul of your aircraft, not to mention a very valuable asset, so investing in regular maintenance is highly recommended. Depending on your knowledge and skill level, there are certain routine maintenance checks you can perform yourself, while others are best left to licensed professionals. Here’s how to keep your aircraft engine running smoothly from our reliable aircraft mechanics in New Jersey.  

How to Get the Maximum Life Out of Your Engine

• Run the engine at least one hour a week. Similar to how you shouldn’t leave a car sitting without running the engine for a long period of time, nor should you leave an aircraft engine sitting without running it. This will prevent rust build-up and help extend the life of your engine.

• Keep the engine temperature at a setting that maximizes its life. Damage can occur if an engine is running at too hot or too cold of a temperature – the precise temperature will depend on the type and size of the engine. 

• Minimize large temperature changes when flying. Flying through various climatic zones can result in drastic temperature changes, which can increase wear and tear on your engine. Some of the damage that could occur are cylinder head cracks from shock cooling, so it’s important to really assess the flight route you’re taking before take-off to minimize temperature changes. 

Use Gauges

Gauges allow for more precise temperature control. While all aircraft have oil temperature gauges, you can monitor engine temperature information using two additional gauges:

• Cylinder head temperature (CHT) gauge: This gauge measures the temperature at the cylinder head, which is a crucial indicator of the engine’s health. 
• Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauge: This gauge measures the temperature as the exhaust leaves the cylinder. 

Have Your Engine Inspected Regularly

We recommend investing in regular maintenance checks from licensed and insured aircraft engine technicians. They’ll be able to troubleshoot your engine and identify any little issues before they become big problems. In the end, regular maintenance saves you money because it can prevent costly breakdowns from occurring. Regular inspections are especially important if you’re flying over salt water, because salt can cause your engine to corrode more quickly if you don’t keep it clean. 

Perform Repairs Immediately

If one of your engines needs a repair, don’t stick it in a hangar and save the repairs for a rainy day. Repairs should be performed immediately to reduce the extent of damage to other parts of the engine, and to ensure the problem doesn’t become worse. 

As mentioned, aircrafts are a huge investment and we recommend keeping the engines in the best possible condition. Through a combination of regular maintenance, timely repairs, and temperature monitoring, you can help extend the life of your engine and keep it running smoothly for years to come. 

For more information about proper aircraft engine maintenance,  please contact our team at Monmouth Jet Center today and visit our website at: https://monmouthjetcenter.com

This blog was originally published at https://monmouthjetcenter.com/maintenance-tips-for-aircraft-engines/