TKS line rubbing on governor

[Jetblast]

Just wanted to pass on an issue that we had with the right engine.

I noticed dark grey/light black fluid coming out of the top cowling. Just a line.

I was on top and the deice had been on during the climb through clouds.

The color was what was concerning to me so I kept an eye on it during the hour flight.

I was bringing the plane in for maintenance so I mentioned it.

It turned out to be the TKS line rubbing against the governor and creating a groove in it. I don't think it would have severed the governor shell but, in principle, it was weaker with the groove then without. Eventually the line would have broken where it rubbed and the grooving would have stopped.

I just wanted to bring the issue to attention as it is not something easy see from the hub. The colored fluid streak was the only visible sign. There was no aluminum dust on the hangar floor.

It had 15 hours so it must have been an installation induced problem.

It paid to be attentive. But they most likely would have found it out when doing the SB about the bearing bolts.

[mfdutra]

Do you have a picture of the top cowling with the fluid?

I had the same symptom and we were never to find the cause. You may have unfolded the mystery.

[Jetblast]

Sorry, I didn't think about taking a picture.
Imagine when you are drilling steel with penetrating oil the kind of liquid that would drip down the drilled piece and it would be it.
I tried to attach a picture of the governor and line but was not able.
Sorry!

[Boatguy]

It turned out to be the TKS line rubbing against the governor and creating a groove in it. I don't think it would have severed the governor shell but, in principle, it was weaker with the groove then without. Eventually the line would have broken where it rubbed and the grooving would have stopped.

I have also seen that small amount of dark fluid at the top of the cowling and assumed it was oil. It seems to appear right after a climb and disburses during cruise.

What did the shop say was the connection between the small amount of fluid at the top of the cowling, the TKS, and the governor? I get the penetrating oil analogy, but what's the fluid in this case?

What did your shop do to address the problem?

[mfdutra]

Does this picture look familiar?

[Boatguy]

What I observed was much lower volume. It was coming out of the fore/aft seam on the cowling directly above the engine and sort of piling up against the athwartship seam of the pane behind it.

Your picture looks much more serious.

Let's see what the OP says.

[mfdutra]

Ahh. It's all clean now. The problem has been gone for a while. We never found the source.

[Jetblast]

What I observed was much lower volume. It was coming out of the fore/aft seam on the cowling directly above the engine

What you describe was my situation.
The fix is a new prop assembly.!!! Waiting for it. The service center is 150miles from the factory so hopefully it will arrive soon. The TKS line might be the difficult item to source.
How do I post a picture from a file on my computer?

[Jetblast]

View of the groove left by the TKS line

Did it!

[Boatguy]

Use the full editor and add the photos as an attachment.

What did the shop say was the actual liquid that was on your cowling? I seems unrelated to the TKS hose chafe problem.

I'm not sure what the entire "prop assembly" would be. If it's chafing on the governor, why not just replace the governor?

The TKS system is used by multiple aircraft manufacturers so I don't think the hoses are difficult to source.