600LE Rattle

[Mslater]

Just did some maintenance on the 600LE. Re-assembled but now there's a noticable rattle on Fast Idle.

If I gentle push down on the head it stops, in fact I can apply gentle pressure in many places around the heli and the rattle just stops.

It's comming from the engine or close by but it's not the engine, its not the pipe, does it with canopy off.

Just can't find it - any ideas ??

PS Runs and flys fine. Its FBL and there is no problem on high revs.

[J-S-Q]

Could it be related to the one way bearing in the starter shaft? I've had something similar where the starter one way would be grabbing a bit at idle and making the shaft rotate resulting in a bit of a rattle.

[waveydavey]

+1 for the starter shaft.The retaining nut had come undone on mine. Thought it was engine bearings initially.

[Mslater]

The shaft appears ok but I'll need to strip it to be sure, any other ideas before I get into pulling the clutch tower apart ?

[waveydavey]

Try just grabbing the starter shaft whilst the engine is running. Even though it seems like it's coming from the engine area it's not just the tail boom or rudder linkage rattling is it

[Mslater]

Just noticed the rattle is present before clutch engages so the retaining nut wouldn't come into play - or would it ?

It seems to be comming from somewhere lower down, near the pipe.

[Mslater]

Try just grabbing the starter shaft whilst the engine is running. Even though it seems like it's coming from the engine area it's not just the tail boom or rudder linkage rattling is it

Cheers Dave, it's a heavier sound than the linkage rattles you get on the boom. Seems when any downward pressure is put on the skids it stops. Only takes a light press down, its still there if I pick the heli up or just sit it on the ground on idle.

PS Grabbed starter shaft - makes no difference, it spins freely with the engine and I can stop it easily with a light press.