Cessna 310/T310C
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 1600; Flight Crew Type 25
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft; Weather
Departed [a] regional airport and was vectored around areas of thunderstorms and precipitation. Step-climbed up to requested altitude of 8;500 while passing through occasional rain showers. As cloud tops began to build; I requested a climb to 10;500 feet. Upon reaching 10;500 feet; I noticed my airspeed start to decay; indicating [the engine] was not producing enough power. I advanced the throttle to full power which helped the situation. In order to expedite the climb; I also attempted to adjust the props. It was during this time that the airplane lost power to the right engine.I went through my emergency procedures; but opted not to shut down the right engine since I had plenty of altitude to attempt a re-start and look for reasons why this occurred.I told ATC that I had lost my right engine; and initiated a descent.... During the descent; power came back to the right engine.I landed with no further issues.I had a mechanic examine the aircraft the next day; and it was determined that water infiltrated into the fuel tanks. The mechanic suggested replacement of the fuel tank gaskets at the next opportunity.The mechanic also performed some ground run-up tests and downloaded the engine performance data from the JPI-760 which further supported normal engine operations.
C310 pilot experienced loss of power in the right engine after climbing through rain showers. Power returned to normal during descent and was subsequently attributed to water contamination of the fuel due to faulty tank gaskets.