7ECA Spark Plugs

C

Cowboys Air Ranch 84ME

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Apr 24, 2021
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Location
Forest Twp, Maine
Howdy,

I am getting a lot of local opinion on Spark Plug selection for my 1972 7ECA Citabria with Lycoming O-235-C1 engine.

It currently has Champion REM38E plugs, which lead foul on occasion during start up, especially when it is cold and more primer is used.

I have been told that if I change to REM40E Plugs (Hotter Plugs) that they will not lead foul as easily, especially in the cooler weather seasons when more prime is needed..

Engine calls for either spark plug. I am in Northern Maine, colder climate, especially in the winter ,.... Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

So, I want everyone's opinion on this. Good, Bad, or Whatever.

COWBOY
 
Look up Lycoming Service Letter L192B.
Installing the REM37BY plugs helps a lot as does doing a "clean out" of the plugs by running @ 1200rpm or so for 30-60 seconds just prior to shutdown every flight. Lean aggressively on the ground. Have your mechanic check and adjust the idle mixture when the weather changes.
Hope this helps.

Chris
 
I had a 7ECA with the O-235 in Fairbanks Alaska, and flew it regularly down to -30F. I had the same issue, and I remember messing around with different plug temps. That was over 10 years ago, so I don't remember any details, but I also don't recall resolving the issue with plugs. At the time, I did not know about the REM37BY plugs, or I would have used them. Maybe they didn't exist yet?

Lots of preheat helped.

I know this is like talking politics, but what I do remember helping immensely was switching to autofuel. I would actually (and still do) a mix 20% avgas / 80% auto. These little engines just were not made to handle the amount of lead in 100LL.
 
Don't know if this is on point, but I was having a little problem with lower plugs on my rather older AEIO-360. Put in fine wire plugs ($80 each at the time!) and changed the entire personality of the airplane. Haven't worried about plugs since.
 
Lycoming addresses the fouling problems on their low compression engines that were designed to burn 80/87 octane in their Service Letter 185B.
I have been following those procedures for several years now and it did cut down on the fouling problem significantly.
 
Tangogawd said:
I had a 7ECA with the O-235 in Fairbanks Alaska, and flew it regularly down to -30F. I had the same issue, and I remember messing around with different plug temps. That was over 10 years ago, so I don't remember any details, but I also don't recall resolving the issue with plugs. At the time, I did not know about the REM37BY plugs, or I would have used them. Maybe they didn't exist yet?

Lots of preheat helped.

I know this is like talking politics, but what I do remember helping immensely was switching to autofuel. I would actually (and still do) a mix 20% avgas / 80% auto. These little engines just were not made to handle the amount of lead in 100LL.
Click to expand...
Howdy,

I did purchase the Auto Fuel STC, but have not installed it yet in the log books. Repairing a fuel leak on one of my tanks and completing an Annual Inspection also. I do plan on mixing the fuel as you have done, 80 gallons Non-Ethanol 91 Octane Auto Fuel and 20 Gallons 100LL. (80%/20% mix).

I will be getting my Fuel Farm up and running this winter. Picking up what I need (250 gal Tank, Pump, Hose, Filters and Water Seperator, Etc). I will most likely mix up 200 gallons at a time so it does not sit for any length of time.

Thanks for the input.

COWBOY
 
I have the Auto Fuel STC and have been running about a 50/50 mix here in Texas, O-320... It's been a hot summer BTW.. It seems to like it, annual due in Apr. I'll look at the plugs...
 
The lead also acts as a fuel stabilizer. I run the same mix fuel in my chainsaws, weedeaters, 4-wheelers, snowmobiles..... everything except the car and truck. I have since not had a gummed up carb or any problems starting and running any of these engines. And many of them sit for years in the shed between uses.
 
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