Mystery dust over and around clutch bell

[simusphere]

After every flight I'm noticing what looks like fine particles of G10 frame matierial around the top of the clutch bell area. The entire bottom part of the bearing block above the clutch is covered with it. What could be causing this? I can't see where it would be coming from. Does anyone else notice this on their machine?

Is it belt dust or something?

[simusphere]

Here is the dust:
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=96755&stc=1&d=1242220544

[heartnspirit]

It's kind of hard to tell in the photo, but from the color of it my guess is that it's from the main gear. Some particles may be normal on the first few flights but I'm a little concerened with the looks of the pinion. It looks like it's distorted and has some really rough spots that might be wearing into the gear. Did you ever clamp it with pliers or something? I would keep an eye it and on your mesh, have another pinion and main gear handy and fly the heck out of it!

[simusphere]

I'm pretty sure that the camera is picking up a lot of crazy lighting reflections that are making the pinion look that way. If I cleaned the dust up it looks fine to me plus the gear moves very smoothly with no binding. I am very particular about things not being mechanically right to begin with so if there was main gear binding or distorted pinion, I would have noticed it. I am a little worried though because it looks like I'm the only one having this issue. I may just pull everything apart on a rain day to inspect everything a little closer. Right now still have no clue what the dust is since there is no visible wear marks on anything. It's like the dust is coming from nowhere.

[tessex]

Hmmmm. Fairy dust? Don't they need a steady supply of it to keep flying? (Sorry, just couldn't resist. :) )

[chosen69]

Are you sure that it's not dust from the clutch liner ? Did you have a hot start or anything ? Does the clutch engage early or is still wearing in ? Or some aborted autos maybe ?
Just a couple of thoughts...

[simusphere]

I'm not sure what it is. I have not had any hot starts and the clutch engages earlier than most helis I've flown. You would think that dust from the clutch would be below the clutch bell and not above it, right? My mystery dust is on the top of the clutch bell and under the bearing right next to the pinon. I have to clean it up after every few fights. I only have a little over a gallon of fuel through this heli but if no one else has noticed this dust them I'm a little worried about it. It almost has to be from the main gear mesh but the darn thing has spun smoothly since day one and don't see any wear on it.

It flys great. Not much vibration to speak of but it is creating mystery dust on my bird. I guess there are worse problems to have but if I keep cleaning up dust eventually the part that is wearing should show some signs of wear.

[chosen69]

You would think that dust from the clutch would be below the clutch bell and not above it, right?

I guess that totally depends on your flying style... :YeaBaby:

I wouldn't worry too much about it if the mesh is perfect, if the clutch engages early as you say it might as well be the clutch liner still wearing in... I say fly it 'til it brakes - can't go wrong for that price ! :YeaBaby:

[simusphere]

Yep, that's a what I'm a gonna do. It really does fly great. I had a more experienced pilot help tune the motor up today and I'm getting pretty good power considering today was so humid here in Virginia Beach. I think the dust is subsiding too so it must have been something wearing in.

I need to take a break from flying for a while. I'm getting burned out from too much flying.

[grnmac1]

could it be the control rods rubbing on the canopy??

[simusphere]

Even though my gear mesh seems to be good, I think the gears are the only place that make sense where the dust is coming from.