SR20
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
On climb out; Pilot Instructor (PI) noticed a fluctuating Cylinder Heat Temperature (CHT) (6) indication. It would stabilize momentarily and then go offline. Pilot Instructor contacted departure and let them know that we would like to just head back to [departure airport]. The field was IFR and we were issued vectors for the ILS. No further assistance was requested at this time. About a minute or two later CHT 6 dropped to zero again and the engine began to run rough and vibrate quite a bit. It was at this time that Pilot Instructor decided to ask for a turn to intercept the localizer immediately. Pilot Instructor shot the approach and landed without any further issues.
A pilot instructor in a SR20 reported an unstable cylinder heat temperature indication that prompted a return towards the departure airport.