Morning Netters'
Many years while exercising the privilege and freedom to do what I liked
with my homebuilt, I refueled in my usual manner which was to fill two 5 gal
cans after I filled my car, at the time an Escort GT. On this unremarkable
summer day my plan was to go cross country. After take off and holding in
ground effect to build up speed, I pulled back for a fast climb. to my
surprise, I had no power. I lowered the nose and continued rather flat for
a while and then tried again to increase the climb angle. Again I had no
power and this time I noticed a rattle from the engine. As I struggled to
gain enough altitude to make a go around. I continued to hear the noise. I
landed without incident and continued to parking. After that I searched all
weekend to find the problem. I looked at timing, valves, adjusted the posa
several times and in general wasted the whole weekend. On the way home
Sunday in the Escort, while going up a very slight grade I heard the same
rattle from that engine. At that point the light in my head came on very
bright. It was detonation, most likely from a bad blend, or contamination,
or too low of an octane. I continued to use up the gas in the car, but the
next day after work I went to the airport and drained the KR and Never put
auto fuel in it again!!! If this had happened on some short strip with a
few trees at the end, I would have not made it. I know some have done it
with great success, but one bad experience will teach you. The only problem
that I see with auto fuel is that quality could sometimes be suspect. I
used a name brand station (Axxxx). Maybe they got a bad batch. If that had
happened at the airport, it is more likely that every purchaser would know
rather quickly.Orma L. Robbins Southfield MI
19 Years flying KR-2 N110LR
http://www.aviation-mechanics.com
