Why would a petrol engine stall at an altitude?

In summary, an engine can stop working for a variety of reasons, including incorrect fuel selection, blocked air intake, or a fuel pump failure.
  • #1
Kelly Andrew
1
0
The engine was used to propel a small home made air craft. It worked very well while it taxied away and went airborne, then at a certain altitude it stopped abruptly then came crashing down. Why? And what simple engine design can sustain the air craft?
 
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  • #2
It seems you're asking about why an engine would stall at a certain height, right?

My friend, who was a pilot of small aircraft told me that there are two gas tanks and a valve that you use to switch between tanks. Sometimes if the pilot isn't careful he/she may switch to the secondary tank but not switch it all the way. Consequently the engine stalls due to lack of gasoline.

Other reasons why an engine might stall is due to lack of oxygen either because something has lodged in the air intake or its flying too high or due to a fuel pump failure.
 
  • #3
Is this manned or a model/drone? Is the fuel pumped or gravity fed?
 
  • #4
There are many reasons that an airplane engine can stop running.

An engine needs fuel, air, oil, and ignition to run. Take away anyone of those, and the engine stops.

An engine consists of many mechanical parts. If the wrong part breaks, the engine stops.

An engine has a cooling system. If that system fails, the engine can stop. Think bird nest in an air cooled engine.

The engine is operated by the pilot. If the pilot does certain things wrong, the engine stops. Taking off with fuel selector on an empty fuel tank is a popular way for an engine to stop shortly after lifting off. A friend did that.

Wrong fuel. Jet fuel in a gasoline engine. Water in the fuel. I experienced a fuel line freeze up one night over the Black Hills of South Dakota. Fortunately, the fuel line from the other fuel tank was not frozen.

Icing in carbureted engines.
 

1. Why would a petrol engine stall at a higher altitude?

As altitude increases, the air becomes thinner and less dense. This means that there is less oxygen available for the engine to burn with the fuel. Without enough oxygen, the fuel cannot combust properly and the engine will stall.

2. Can changes in altitude affect a petrol engine's performance?

Yes, changes in altitude can significantly affect a petrol engine's performance. As the altitude increases, the air pressure decreases and the air becomes thinner. This can lead to reduced power, increased fuel consumption, and potential stalling of the engine.

3. How does the air-fuel ratio impact an engine's performance at higher altitudes?

The air-fuel ratio is crucial for proper combustion in a petrol engine. At higher altitudes, the air is thinner and there is less oxygen available for combustion. This means that the air-fuel ratio needs to be adjusted to compensate for the reduced oxygen levels, otherwise the engine may not function properly.

4. Is there a difference in how a petrol engine and a diesel engine perform at high altitudes?

Yes, there is a difference in how petrol and diesel engines perform at high altitudes. Diesel engines have a higher compression ratio, which allows them to compress the thinner air at higher altitudes and maintain their performance. Petrol engines, on the other hand, may struggle with the reduced oxygen levels and may experience stalling or reduced power.

5. Can a petrol engine be modified to perform better at high altitudes?

Yes, a petrol engine can be modified to perform better at high altitudes. One way to do this is by adjusting the air-fuel ratio to compensate for the thinner air and ensure proper combustion. Some engines may also benefit from modifications to the fuel injection system or the addition of a turbocharger to increase air intake and improve performance at high altitudes.

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