How to Maintain Aircraft Engines
Airplanes are currently the fastest and easiest way to travel around the world. Flight safety is in the hands of aircraft technicians. Their job is to make sure everything works perfectly and that passengers will get to their destinations safely and on time. The most important part of an airplane is the engine. Preventive maintenance is the best way to keep your engine running smoothly. To maintain an aircraft engine in its perfect working condition you have to follow these steps.
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Things You'll Need
- Maintenance manual
- Set of regular tools (i.e., screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets and ratchets)
- Oil
- Oil filter
- Oil bucket
- Spark plug gapping tool
- Spark plug checker
- Compression gauge
- Flashlight
- Safety wire
- Safety wire pliers
Instructions
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1
Start the engine and let it warm up. Check the parameters on the engine instruments to make sure they reach engine manufacturer's recommendations that you find in the maintenance manual.
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2
After you stop the engine, remove the engine cowling fasteners by using the correct screwdriver (Phillips or flathead, depending on the engine you work on) if needed and remove the cowling from the engine.
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3
Remove the drain plug and drain the engine oil into a suitable oil bucket. Remove the old oil filter using a wrench from your tool set. Install a new filter by screwing it on and safety wire it with the safety wire and pliers. Reinstall the drain plug and safety wire it.
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4
While the engine is still warm, remove the upper spark plugs using a ratchet and socket and perform cylinder compression check with a compression gauge tool to make sure it meets the engine manufacturer's limitations.
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5
Remove the lower spark plugs and, with the spark plug gapping tool, check and clean all spark plugs to be in the manufacturer's parameters. After completing this, you can install back and tighten all the spark plugs.
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6
Replenish the oil and inspect the whole engine--using a flashlight--for any defects noticeable to the naked eye, like, for example, cracked engine mounts or broken wires.
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7
Restart the engine and check its parameters again as you in Step 1. Shut the engine off and inspect for any oil leaks.
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8
Reinstall the engine cowling and the fasteners by using a screwdriver.
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9
Complete all appropriate paperwork to return airplane to service. Without paperwork completion, airplanes are not allowed to fly.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to use safety precautions before working around the aircraft engines.
