Exhaust glow visible from pilot seat ?

Any DA42 related topics.

Moderators: Rick, Lance Murray

User avatar
salim
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 69
Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2019 11:05 am
First Name: Salim
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: FHVES
Airports: LFPN
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 31 times

Exhaust glow visible from pilot seat ?

Post by salim »

Hello,

I was flying at night yesterday over a dark area, and I was under the impression I could see throw the ventilation openings of the left engine a metal part glowing red. I assume it is part of the exhaust or turbo.

Did anyone notice something like this before ?

First time I notice something like that and I didn't find it reassuring...

Thanks !

Salim
User avatar
cptndavid
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 188
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:59 pm
First Name: David
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: N16FA
Airports: N87
Has thanked: 157 times
Been thanked: 56 times

Re: Exhaust glow visible from pilot seat ?

Post by cptndavid »

I would think that is not a good thing. You should call your shop or Diamond customer support in Canada 1 919 457-4041 or Diamond in Austria.
Which engines are you running?
User avatar
Chris
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 935
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 3:34 am
First Name: Chris
Aircraft Type: DA42NG
Aircraft Registration: N449TS
Airports: KHIO
Has thanked: 1050 times
Been thanked: 481 times

Re: Exhaust glow visible from pilot seat ?

Post by Chris »

From another thread:
Karl wrote:In a TAE DA42 at full power in low light it is possible to see the turbo glow cherry red through the slots in the cowling. This is only visible in low light and only from the left seat.
Chris
N449TS / DA42-NG / 42.AC049
KHIO
User avatar
salim
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 69
Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2019 11:05 am
First Name: Salim
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: FHVES
Airports: LFPN
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 31 times

Re: Exhaust glow visible from pilot seat ?

Post by salim »

Thank you Chris !
So based on what Colin and Karl say it seems not unusual.
I’ll still ask Diamond in Austria for their feedback.
The engines are CD135 (with about 100h since new).
It wasn’t only at full power but also in cruise (Fl120, 80% -7deg)
User avatar
Colin
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 2006
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:37 pm
First Name: Colin
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: N972RD
Airports: KFHR
Has thanked: 319 times
Been thanked: 527 times

Re: Exhaust glow visible from pilot seat ?

Post by Colin »

I have seen that.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
User avatar
ememic99
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 1078
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2014 10:31 am
First Name: Emir
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: SEMAD
Airports: LDZA LDVA
Has thanked: 203 times
Been thanked: 390 times

Re: Exhaust glow visible from pilot seat ?

Post by ememic99 »

It's usual - I always see it during night flights (CD-155 engines).
User avatar
Lance Murray
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 1163
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2010 11:25 pm
First Name: Lance
Aircraft Type: DA40
Airports:
Has thanked: 7 times
Been thanked: 118 times

Re: Exhaust glow visible from pilot seat ?

Post by Lance Murray »

In the old days of radial engines the mixture was adjusted by the color of the flame or glow of the exhaust.
User avatar
N503TS
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 58
Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2016 1:35 am
First Name: Phil
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: N503TS
Airports: KACK
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 8 times

Re: Exhaust glow visible from pilot seat ?

Post by N503TS »

It’s normal for these engines. Make sure the fire resistance cowling paint is in good condition though as high temperatures can cause problems if the paint has been flaking (which is common for all Diamonds).
Phil

Commercial Pilot
Nantucket Airport KACK
DA42 N503TS
DA40 N143RD (sold)
DA20 N286DC (sold)
User avatar
d424u
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:03 am
First Name: Robert
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N418AM
Airports: KHND
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Exhaust glow visible from pilot seat ?

Post by d424u »

THAT glow? I have that.

Image
User avatar
Colin
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 2006
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:37 pm
First Name: Colin
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: N972RD
Airports: KFHR
Has thanked: 319 times
Been thanked: 527 times

Re: Exhaust glow visible from pilot seat ?

Post by Colin »

First time I noticed it I sweated the entire 25 minute ride home, wondering why there wasn't the SLIGHTEST indication of something wrong on the instrumentation for the engine. Figured if anything changed I'd cage it, cut the fuel to it, land immediately. Ticked along totally happily to landing. Mentioned it to my mechanic who confirmed you can see a glow. Phew.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
Post Reply