Header Coupler Problems

[Jetpainter]

I maidened an airplane for a friend today and a new set of Teflon couplers only lasted a few minutes. It started getting loud and by the time I landed both couplers were destroyed. I just spoke with him a little while ago and he said when he took it apart they were both melted.

It's a new DA120 with Pro Flows. There was no sign at all that this thing was hot. It was running great, it certainly wasn't lean and getting hot.

When he built the plane, he complained that the couplers were back ordered from Chief and when he got them they were thinner than he was used to and a much more transparent white. Has anyone else had an issue like this?

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

Try couplers from Richard at WrongWay RC. I put a pair of what he sells on some DA100 headers, coupled to his designed tuned pipes. No melty, no come aparty.

 

[Jetpainter]

Thanks! I will pass that on.

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

Plus, dont run a huge gap between the header and pipe. I think mine is butted right together. Some say 1/4" gap............

 

[Jetpainter]

Plus, dont run a huge gap between the header and pipe. I think mine is butted right together. Some say 1/4" gap............

These were almost touching.

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

Cool. I like a small gap, 1/16 or so..... Not sure why your buddies couplers melted.

 

[Jetpainter]

I personally think they were just bad couplers. He had complained that they were thinner than normal and I wonder if Chief just didn't get some bad stuff.

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

Ya just never know.....