Grease leak on new prop

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Skylane182H

Filing Flight Plan
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Skylane182H
I have a new Hartzell 3 blade Voyager prop that I purchased in September 2024. It hung on the airplane until May 10, 2025 while we resolved an issue with the engine. Since then the prop has only 37 hours on it. I am a student pilot and have a job that limits my time to fly. Pretty much since first flight the prop has been exhibiting grease streaks up 2 of the blades. There is a fine spatter on the cowling nose, both sides of the windshield and leading edge of the vertical stabilizer. I called Hartzell after about 20hrs and was told to put 2 pumps of grease in each blade hub and keep an eye on it. Call back if it’s still streaking after 50hrs. 13hrs to go and I’m feeling a little nervous. I’d be interested to know what the forum thinks on this. As usual your advice is greatly appreciated.
 
D

Thread 'Prop Grease seals leaking?'

It seems like the gasket on my prop governor is leaking a tiny bit. I have gotten a small amount of oil splatter around the routes of the blade two of the last three flights. I am well aware this needs to be fixed. At this time the plane flies fine. Runs great. Oil pressure is normal, and the engine oil checks out on pre flight, and does not show any loss.

Are these gaskets prone to catastrophic failure? How much time is involved in Getting them fix? Could anything else cause a small amount of oil on the blades?

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Some reading, may be pertinent.
 
Could be the mechanic who installed it greased it wrong and blew out the seals. If it's new, it should be warrantied, so do what Hartzell says. Worst case you pull it off at 50 hours and they reseal it. Not a big deal TBH.
 
Had one leak from a stuck grease zerk.
 
Constant speed prop? Those streaks may be oil. If so, it should be pink. Use a clean white paper towel and wipe your cowl & windscreen splatter. Check color.

Either way, grease or oil, it’s a leak…
 
Thank you gentleman. I'll put a couple of pumps of NYCO GN3058 in each hub and wait for 50hrs.
 
My RV7A C/S prop was serviced with a different grease and exhibited what you're seeing. After using Aeroshell 6 Prop grease, haven't had an issue ... not sure if that will help, check with your mechanic.
 
danhagan said:
My RV7A C/S prop was serviced with a different grease and exhibited what you're seeing. After using Aeroshell 6 Prop grease, haven't had an issue ... not sure if that will help, check with your mechanic.
Click to expand...

My Hartzell C/S requires NICO grease. If two different greases are mixed, they can break down, which might cause a leak.
 
Skylane182H said:
I have a new Hartzell 3 blade Voyager prop that I purchased in September 2024. It hung on the airplane until May 10, 2025 while we resolved an issue with the engine. Since then the prop has only 37 hours on it. I am a student pilot and have a job that limits my time to fly. Pretty much since first flight the prop has been exhibiting grease streaks up 2 of the blades. There is a fine spatter on the cowling nose, both sides of the windshield and leading edge of the vertical stabilizer. I called Hartzell after about 20hrs and was told to put 2 pumps of grease in each blade hub and keep an eye on it. Call back if it’s still streaking after 50hrs. 13hrs to go and I’m feeling a little nervous. I’d be interested to know what the forum thinks on this. As usual your advice is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
If you put a grease gun to the zerks and pump away, it's no wonder that you have grease blowing out. THAT'S NOT THE PROPER PROCEDURE.

The proper procedure is to remove one of the zerks before putting grease in its mate. You want the excess grease to come out the other hole not forced out along the blades.
 
If you’re greasing the prop yourself, you need to download the manual and follow the manufacturer’s written procedures.
 
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