How do you lean the engine? - RV-6

[doomtrainuk 0]

Usually when i lean an engine i would just decrease the mixture until the engine temp reaches a safe peak, but theres no engine temp gauge in the rv - 6 so what is the correct way i can do it?thank you fellow aviation enthusiasts

[LHookins 3,076]

To lean the engine by ear, pull the mixture back until the engine starts to run rough, then advance it until it's smooth, then advance it a bit more.Hook

[keithb77 285]

I lean to achieve maximum RPM.There are several Pilot Operating Handbooks for the real RV-6 on the net BTWCheersKeith

[newthog 0]

I also lean for max rpm...one thing I realized after a few flights (and shame on me!) is that I had forgotten to disable automixture! Couldn't figure out why nothing seemed to be changing until I reached fuel cutoff...duh!

[doomtrainuk 0]

are advanced engine sounds like this really implemented in flight?at 13000 ft my prop is set at 60% , and no matter what mixture i use the rpm wont go over 2200 ?

[LHookins 3,076]

Max RPM would be for peak power. I was describing economy cruise.Does the RPM change on a constant speed prop?Hook

[Tom Wright 420]

In the RV-6 you'll want to lean for max Manifold Pressure (MP), rather than RPM. The RPM won't change since the aircraft has a constant speed prop where the RPM is operated independently of the engine speed.Start decreasing the mixture and watch closely as the MP rises (the difference is usually quite small). As you pull it out there will become a point where it stops rising and starts falling again. At this point push it back in slightly until the MP is at its peak, then push it in a little bit more (about 2%). You usually want to run slightly rich of peak.You can also lean for maximum EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature), not Engine Temperature. There should be an EGT gauge on the panel somewhere. It might be in one of those electronic instruments I haven't played around with yet!

[T_Fleck 36]

Yeah, if you listen closely you can hear slight changes in the engine sound....and a sub woofer really helps.

[newthog 0]

sorry - I was thinking real world - a lot of flying in fixed pitch prop aircraft. Let me get some more coffee and come back...

[doomtrainuk 0]

Ok i found a operating handbook and il look out for that elusive gauge- ok just checked it and the manifold pressure does not seem to change at all, it changed from 18.0 to 18.1 but it didnt seem to be cause by my adjustments

[deltatango 0]

'Correct' leaning is one of those things that is discussed endlessly. Incorrect leaning has caused accidents before too.Search for 'lycoming leaning procedures' for much reading.

[LHookins 3,076]

There's a non-functional EGT gauge in the Maule. The only gauge in the RV-6 seems to be cylinder head temperature. I'd have preferred a JPI engine data management gauge myself. :)Hook

[keithb77 285]

In the RV-6 you'll want to lean for max Manifold Pressure (MP), rather than RPM. The RPM won't change since the aircraft has a constant speed prop

Interesting...in truth I did it by ear rather than look at a guage, just assumed that was max RPM. Not at the PC to check right now.The POH I looked at says "Mixture – RICH (above 3000’ lean to obtain max RPM)" - Scott Gesele N506RV, but being home-builts there are differences...

'Correct' leaning is one of those things that is discussed endlessly. Incorrect leaning has caused accidents before too.

Too true, last night I climbed the big volcano to the observatory on top, with much leaning, coming down the other side the engine cut.Having run the Stearman dry a couple of times, I assumed the RV was dry too.Luckily there was a runway close in front.Unluckily I had to cut the final turn too tight , ran out of airspeed and scratched the paint severely.So many mistakes, I must be learning fast...CheersKeith

[Tom Wright 420]

Engine RPM will change, but there's no gauge for that. Engine power output is shown by Manifold Pressure.The RPM gauge on the panel shows PROP RPM, and this most definitely will not change as a result of leaning the mixture, the same as adjusting throttle won't make it change (unless you're on the ground or at very slow speed).

[g_precentralis 191]

In RL I lean for max EGT.In game, there is no much difference, just maybe slight better performances at higher altitudes. In rl you want to save your fuel (and money) and save your engine to stay in a good state; as we cannot reproduce that behaviors in this game, leaning is maybe unnecessary at all (we cannot damage our engine, and we can buy fuel for free (for now, maybe MS will start to sell fuel for points :LMAO: ) ).