A320 Losing Fuel While Engines Start — Tech Ops Forum

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A320 Losing Fuel While Engines Start

GodBless From Sweden, joined Apr 2000, 2751 posts, RR: 18
Posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 2124 times:

I have seen it various times already that whenever an A320 with Cfm's starts the engines that fuel runs out at the bottom of the engine until it runs at normal speed.
Is this normal? Why isn't anything done to prevent this "leaky problem"?

Max

10 replies: All unread, jump to last

EMBQA From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 9286 posts, RR: 13
Reply 1, posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 2082 times:

Can you see if there is a picture in the data base...? I have seen in the past of the case drain vent line giving off a 'vapor like' discharge. This is pretty normal.

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog"

320tech From Turks and Caicos Islands, joined May 2004, 487 posts, RR: 5
Reply 2, posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2001 times:

A320's aren't supposed to be losing fuel while the engines are starting. If there is fuel coming from the drains during start, it's possibly from the VBV's or VSV's, both of which are fuel driven. This is a problem that should get fixed quickly.

On the other hand, if you're seeing a mist rather than liquid, maybe you're seeing the starter air exhaust.

The primary function of the design engineer is to make things difficult for the manufacturer and impossible for the AME.

CYLW From Canada, joined Apr 2000, 413 posts, RR: 0
Reply 3, posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1958 times:

When I worked on the ramp, we had an A320 that was dripping fuel from one engine. The captain said that unless it was dripping more than every couple of seconds or so it was normal. Unfortunately, this engine was dripping about 2-3 drops per second and the flight ended up being cancelled.

HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58
Reply 4, posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1859 times:

When I worked on the ramp, we had an A320 that was dripping fuel from one engine. The captain said that unless it was dripping more than every couple of seconds or so it was normal.

Thats not normal.Was it a drip or fumes.
regds
MEL

Think of the brighter side!

SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71
Reply 5, posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1850 times:

We had a steady drip from a BAe-146 once and while the captain and the mechanic were debating whether or not it was an acceptable rate, suddenly gallons of fuel and oil poured out on the ramp.

It was not acceptable.

Happiness is not seeing another trite Ste. Maarten photo all week long.

CYLW From Canada, joined Apr 2000, 413 posts, RR: 0
Reply 6, posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1841 times:

Thats not normal.Was it a drip or fumes.
regds
MEL

Dripping fuel for sure. It left a nice 12 x 6 inch puddle near the #1 engine. Usually when the 319/320 left, there was a very small fuel puddle right below where the engines were. This time there was much more than usual though.

320tech From Turks and Caicos Islands, joined May 2004, 487 posts, RR: 5
Reply 7, posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 1796 times:

The standard for A320's, with CFM's at least, is that no fuel should drip while the engine is running. It is acceptable for fuel to leak while the engine is shut down, although it should be investigated and stopped - not a reason to cancel the flight, as long as the leak stops when the engine is running.

The primary function of the design engineer is to make things difficult for the manufacturer and impossible for the AME.

GodBless From Sweden, joined Apr 2000, 2751 posts, RR: 18
Reply 8, posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day ago) and read 1778 times:

It is acceptable for fuel to leak while the engine is shut down
My question would be if it is also acceptable for the engine to leak while it is started.
All I was told is that that is normal, but not by people who really have a clue... But good to know that that is something which is not normal.

Max

Air2gxs From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 9, posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1760 times:

We don't operate the A320, but the CFM56's we do operate tend to leak while shutdown in the cold weather. The leak will continue during the start, but will usually stop by starter cut-out.

But, a 12 X 16 puddle during the start sequence alone? I think there is a problem that must be investigated. If these engine are anything like ours, I would expect a leak in the VBV or VSV actuation system, since these 2 units are in motion during the start and don't move again until the engine is accelerated.