Detonation and Preignition
This subject comes up a lot on the knowledge tests.
From Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge p 5-12, 5-12
Detonation is an uncontrolled, explosive ignition of the fuel/air mixture within the cylinder’s combustion chamber. It causes excessive temperatures and pressures which, if not corrected, can quickly lead to failure of the piston, cylinder, or valves. In less severe cases, detonation causes engine overheating, roughness, or loss of power. Detonation is characterized by high cylinder head temperatures, and is most likely to occur when operating at high power settings. Some operational causes of detonation include:
- • Using a lower fuel grade than that specified by the aircraft manufacturer.
- • Operating with extremely high manifold pressures in conjunction with low r.p.m.
- • Operating the engine at high power settings with an excessively lean mixture.
- • Detonation also can be caused by extended ground operations, or steep climbs where cylinder cooling is reduced.
Detonation may be avoided by following these basic guidelines during the various phases of ground and flight operations:
- • Make sure the proper grade of fuel is being used.
- • While on the ground, keep the cowl flaps (if available) in the full-open position to provide the maximum airflow through the cowling.
- • During takeoff and initial climb, the onset of detonation can be reduced by using an enriched fuel mixture, as well as using a shallower climb angle to increase cylinder cooling.
- • Avoid extended, high power, steep climbs.
- • Develop a habit of monitoring the engine instruments to verify proper operation according to procedures established by the manufacturer.
Preignition occurs when the fuel/air mixture ignites prior to the engine’s normal ignition event. Premature burning is usually caused by a residual hot spot in the combustion chamber, often created by a small carbon deposit on a spark plug, a cracked spark plug insulator, or other damage in the cylinder that causes a part to heat sufficiently to ignite the fuel/air charge. Preignition causes the engine to lose power, and produces high operating temperature. As with detonation, preignition may also cause severe engine damage, because the expanding gases exert excessive pressure on the piston while still on its compression stroke. Detonation and preignition often occur simultaneously and one may cause the other. Since either condition causes high engine temperature accompanied by a decrease in engine performance, it is often difficult to distinguish between the two. Using the recommended grade of fuel and operating the engine within its proper temperature, pressure, and r.p.m. ranges reduce the chance of detonation or preignition.