Hey Turbine,

There is really no *direct* substitute for Molykote 111. Most alternates I have looked at either don't have the heat rating, or cant be used on silicone seals, or don't have the lubricity, etc. I just took apart a water pump with 19 year old innards and the molykote was still intact and all the seals were still in great shape (going to replace anyways). Given that, I would look for a 150g tube - they sell for around 35$ cdn and you can get them at Napa / Bumper to bumper etc.

Totally off topic: Does "Turbine Tester" refer to your occupation? Guessing you either work on Aircraft engines or work on calibrating/testing gas turbine generation units?? Just wondering - i have a friend that works for a subsidiary of GE and he traveled the globe for years working on turbines - says it was an awesome adventure.

 

You are correct I work at an aircraft engine overhaul / repair facility. I worked in the test cell for eight years testing Pratt engines from 550 hp to 2700 hp. PT6a and PW100 engines.

 

Very cool! You must have seen some interesting failure modes/conditions in your time there

I love the dichotomy/yin-yang between the mechanical/operational simplicity and the astronomical complexity with the materials engineering and dynamics of turbine engines - such awesome machines, your job must have been very interesting.

Have a good one!

 

It was interesting and still is very interesting. I now work on repair engines that come in with failures / issues. We disassemble,clean and inspect all the repair engines that enter the build along with engines that require scheduled maintenance. We have a very experienced group of people in our department from all areas of the shop. I have never personally experienced a testing failure as Pratt has a pretty solid product and we build kick ass engines! I have done a fair pile of trouble shooting on engines and test cell equipment during my time in the cell though!

 

Wow, that is phenomenal experience!!! And that's one of the reasons that I enjoy DooTalk so much! Most of you guys are in your 40s, 50s, 60s and even 70s with decades of real experience. For this reason I am surprised that we don't see more of the hard core tech talk, but each year I am seeing a growing change in the right direction.

For the Dow Corning 111 (aka Molykote 111), this is the very first product I suggest buying from a BRP dealer for a small price ~20 iirc. It comes in a 150g tube with P/N 413 707 000. It is affordable, resist high temperature and one tube will last a long time. I use it on a lot more than just Rotax engines.

 

Wow, that is phenomenal experience!!! And that's one of the reasons that I enjoy DooTalk so much! Most of you guys are in your 40s, 50s, 60s and even 70s with decades of real experience. For this reason I am surprised that we don't see more of the hard core tech talk, but each year I am seeing a growing change in the right direction.

For the Dow Corning 111 (aka Molykote 111), this is the very first product I suggest buying from a BRP dealer for a small price ~20 iirc. It comes in a 150g tube with P/N 413 707 000. It is affordable, resist high temperature and one tube will last a long time. I use it on a lot more than just Rotax engines.

13 years in aerospace at the end of august and 10 years in automotive previous to aerospace (red seal certification). Where does the time go! Starting to make me feel old. Lol

 

Got my molykote on ebay

 

13 years in aerospace at the end of august and 10 years in automotive previous to aerospace (red seal certification). Where does the time go! Starting to make me feel old. Lol

I hear that time thing, 23 years in aerospace here. 19 years at the number one rated MRO four consecutive years. Gulfstream and Learjet, all levels MX. I run a team that is top notch on engine changes and trouble shooting as well as all level of repairs. PWC 305/306 and RR BR710/Tey.

 

If an un-supercharged reciprocating engine equipped with a constant speed propeller is operated at part throttle and at cruising rpm, a reduction in rpm with no change in throttle setting will result in

A - no change in manifold pressure.
B - an increase in manifold pressure.
C - a decrease in manifold pressure.

What are the two main sections of a turbine engine for inspection purposes?

A - Hot and cold.
B - Combustion and exhaust.
C - Compressor and turbine.

Aluminum propeller blade failure at the site of an unrepaired nick or scratch is usually the result of

A - material defect.
B - intergranular corrosion.
C - stress concentration.

 

If an un-supercharged reciprocating engine equipped with a constant speed propeller is operated at part throttle and at cruising rpm, a reduction in rpm with no change in throttle setting will result in

A - no change in manifold pressure.
B - an increase in manifold pressure.
C - a decrease in manifold pressure.

What are the two main sections of a turbine engine for inspection purposes?

A - Hot and cold.
B - Combustion and exhaust.
C - Compressor and turbine.

Aluminum propeller blade failure at the site of an unrepaired nick or scratch is usually the result of

A - material defect.
B - intergranular corrosion.
C - stress concentration.

Wow, test time eh......

B
A
C

 

Turbine tester gave me the idea with the Red Seal Certification. I wouldn't pass an aviation test, but some things I know since it is much easier to find explanations in the aviation world then in the sled world. The first one is actually tricky and it applies to the SDI and ETEC. We have a number of pilots on DooTalk. It would be interesting to see how they would answer. Maybe a good question for you team