Page 18 - Nov2016TNT Vol 20 No 11

An insider’s guide to Trouble-Free Turbocharger OperationBy Tim Gauntt, Director, Product Support, Hartzell Engine TechnologiesWith a little understanding, care and effort, you can achieve a lot more reliability from your aircraft’s turbocharger.It seems like every time I get around a group of pilots, the talk soon turns to turbochargers. And, seemingly, every pilot in the group has his/her own turbocharger horror story.I guess it’s understandable. As the Director of Product Support for Hartzell Engine Technologies (HET), I have the advantage of working around the design, manufacturing, rebuilding and testing of turbochargers every day, so I know a lot about these mystery systems. And I also know, contrary to hangar talk, that, when operated and maintained properly, the turbocharger is among the most reliable pieces of equipment under the cowling.With apologies to pilots and mechanics, my opinion is that a lot of what pilots perceive to be wrong with turbochargers has to do with a combination of them not really knowing how to properly operate their aircraft, and the considerable possibility that their mechanic doesn’t know how to properly troubleshoot and maintain the unit. Put those two together and it’s no wonder turbochargers have gotten a bad rap.In HET’s considerable experience, the majority of the turbocharger returns we receive from the field are16 • TWIN & TURBINEfound to be free of issues with the unit itself. In most cases, the problems are with the system’s installation, inadequate pre-lubrication or other operational issues.Typically, those operational issues include: an inability of the aircraft to reach altitude, the system’s inability to reach the maximum-rated manifold pressure, a surging or dropping off of manifold pressure when climbing or descending, and oil leaks from the compressor or turbine side of the turbocharger.Turbocharger 101.Again, because few pilots ever take the time to fully comprehend the individual components of their aircraft, they don’t really understand that the turbocharger is not a stand-alone component; it’s just one part of a very sophisticated system that, when properly manufactured, installed, operated and maintained, will run to normal engine TBO.The turbocharger system consists of the turbocharger(s), controller, pressure relief valve, and wastegate, along with the exhaust/intake assemblies leading from and to the engine.And, while the turbo itself seems like a simple device, it is in fact a very precise component that can be calledNOVEMBER 2016