Mike A

This month's AOPA Pilot magazine has an article about legally removing the vacuum system on a 201. Seems fairly complex.

I went over to the shop this morning and watched them run the engine perfectly fine off a pump from a SR 20 (naturally aspirated). I have placed an order from TCM for a rebuilt pump and will deal with D&G Supply once the plane is up and running on its own. Also, in my discussions with TCM, it turns out that D&G sent two pumps that were from 2 iterations ago (the -6 versions), although the technical service rep didn't see a reason why they would not work.

Has anyone had problems installing overhauled fuel pumps in their planes? Even with a replacement pump from D&G Supply, the engine is still not working. I stopped by the TCM booth at SnF and talked to them about the issue and they immediately went to the fuel pump as the culprit. They said that they do not release the specs on their fuel pumps so if I want one that will work it will have to come from them. Looking at prices for the pump (649368-66A1) they are $3,900 new. That is pretty unbelievable. Also, there are a plethora of places that offer overhauled units, so to think that all those do not work does not seem logical.

I have the same equipment in mine and got quoted $1350 on trade for everything but a nav, comm, and transponder.

I (obviously) disagree. We knew it was a fuel problem with the engine running off the electric pump, so then we had to eliminate every other part of the fuel system, from the fuel tanks forward. If you were told your #1 culprit was fine, you too would also check everything else. Other things we then came up with as possibilities and had to check were something stuck in a line that the mechanical pump wouldn't provide enough suction to clear but the electric pump would, the spider valve malfunctioning, the throttle assembly somehow acting up, bypass valves on the electric pump not working, etc. and we pulled the pump and bench checked it again, during which it pumped fuel. The higher than atmospheric air pressures from the upper deck was the problem.

I'm not upset that they sent a bad pump. I understand that happens. I am upset that we sent it back to them and they swore up and down that it was not the problem and returned the same one. Now it turns out it was the problem, but only after 2 more days of paying to troubleshoot an issue that was already troubleshot.

D&G Supply in Niles, MI. Needless to say, I would not recommend.

Problem solved. The shop "borrowed" another fuel pump and put it on the Mooney, which allowed the plane to start up and operate with no issues at all. Needless to say I am not happy that even after returning the fuel pump once and getting a "clean bill of health" from the overhaul shop, it was still found to be the problem, but after an additional 15 hrs or so of shop time....

I have read that avweb article at least a dozen times and have a paper version printed out and highlighted on my desk. Even at higher RPMs (>1000 RPM) it dies when you flip off the boost pump. You may be on to something though about the aneroid though and I will have to reexamine it on Monday. Thank you.

We disconnected the discharge line, pulled the top plugs, and grounded the mags then ran the starter to see what it pumped. Everyone agreed that what came out was not of the amount or pressure it should have been.

No, we left the fuel return off too and got no return off the mechanical pump. The boost pump provided return.

So I have started a new post on this topic. The title of the last one sound a bit too lighthearted for the pain that this has become. Here is a recap: Bought the plane early March. It hasn't flown in 2 years. Squawks were expected. New turbo and overhauled mechanical pump went in prior to purchase. Got checked out by a MSC and immediate items were addressed. Had a 2.5 hr transition flight in South FL then brought it back to ORL with no squawks. Go to start it on a 50 degree morning and it won't run off the mechanical pump. Works fine off Low Boost. Come back that afternoon when it has warmed up and starts without hesitation. Same scenario next day. Send it over to the Cirrus Service Center on the field for their knowledge of TCM's. initial diagnosis is the mechanical fuel pump. Remove it and send it back to the supply shop that provided overhauled unit. They bench test it and give it a clean bill of health and send it back set at the proper idle pressures. Reattach it and the engine still will not start or run off mechanical pump. Will run off boost. The mechanical pump has 4 flights and 4 hrs total. What we have done so far: Cleared all fuel and air lines in engine, cleaned injectors Eliminated everything FWB as a restriction to fuel flow Eliminated everything downstream of mechanical pump as fuel restriction Eliminated fuel spider valve as issue Removed the pump and bench tested ourselves. Pump appears to operate normally Checked the gears, square drive, and fit of engine/pump connection components. No abnormalities. Removed fuel lines from firewall and ran the following tests: Provided gravity fed fuel directly to fuel pump. Would not work Provided external suction of gas all the way to throttle body point. Would not start. We are literally out of ideas. Does anyone have any suggestions or other tricks that may be helpful? It still runs perfect off the low boost pump, but the moment it is shut off it appears that fuel is removed from the engine. The shop is reaching out to other shops, the pump supplier, and TCM Monday morning for ideas as well. Eliminated air and spark with the operation off the boost pump. Full range of operation available on it.

Sorry if my tone was pointed. It was not my intention to be rude. This topic is one that really gets my blood boiling. A few followups then I'm done: 1) I would argue that our technological advancements were not a direct result of the education system in this country. It is innovation brought by the free market. For an example, Steve Jobs quit college, and there are many other examples of high school dropouts who have gone on to be extremely successful in their time. 2) You're characterization of how disabled and mentally handicapped people would be treated completely ignores that people are compassionate. Also, the same lessons and class experiences could be handled by a private school [more effectively I would argue]. You are assuming that when people become capitalist they lose their soul. I think its the opposite. The more money that I am able to earn, the more of it I give away to charities. If you logic prevailed, no corporations now would donate to worthy causes and would not push their employees to volunteer. That would eat away at the prized profits that you speak so sorely on. As for the inner city students, I would also argue that the biggest detriment to their development is the government. There has been study after study showing the negative impact of free government benefits on the inner cities. Call it the "ghetto mentality". You make the able body families work for their housing and meals and see how quickly their mindset changes. Everyone agrees that we can't let our own starve and suffer, but a community will rally around those less fortunate naturally. We don't need Big Brother forcing us to do so. "The free market does not educate inner city kids. It just would send them to jail in 15 years." - Seriously? That is ignorant. 3) On to roads. Yes there would be toll roads. But there are now. The setup would not be that much different that it is now. Would you buy a house in a neighborhood that didn't have roads and wasn't connected to the community? Would businesses open where people could not reach their stores or had to pay a high price to get there? .No. Its not good business sense. In my opinion, the issue with the Kensyian point of view is that it is too narrow. They focus on a single entity rather than the broader picture of society as a whole. I'm done. Now how can we save the towers that need saving..........

I enjoyed watching the paper make the migration across the glare shield before I assume the vent blew it off.

There are so many things wrong with your statements I do not even know where to begin. 1) We are not shrinking government. The big bad awful sequester does not cut spending. It merely slows the growth of spending. What you and everyone else who complains about it is saying is that every single dollar the government spends is absolutely vital to our country and without it our country will go into ruin. That is absolutely ridiculous. Yes the government should balance its budget like a normal family. How anyone can possibly believe that spending money that we do not have is a good thing blows my mind. Being that I am probably one of the very few people on this forum under the age of 30, it is going to be my generation that is going to be stuck holding the bill when it comes due for the previous generation’s gluttony. And trust me, it is going to come due. Without a doubt, the greatest threat to our country is the runaway spending. 2) The schools in your town in NY are not affected 1 bit by the sequester. Zero effect. Nada. [Hate to break it to you, but not your fire departments, police, or libraries either] Your schools are closing because you (collectively) elected officials who in turn allowed your teachers and other education personnel to take benefits that are so outrageous that there is no chance that they could ever be maintained. Massive health care plans and incredible pension plans are ruining your schools. Your teachers union does not allow ineffective teachers to be disiplined or fired. The US spends more per capita on education with nothing to show for it: Now before you go saying "You're just a union bashing Republican", know that I am not a republican and my mother, 2 aunts, and 2 cousins are all teachers/principals/educators. I have a great respect for teachers. Unions promised filet mignon when all we can afford is bottom round from last weeks cow. That is why they are laying off your teachers. 3) Unless you live in MA, government spending has little effect on your hospitals. It is simple supply and demand. The demand for the hospital is not there, so therefore they reduce the supply. If that hospital could find a way to make a profit, it would stay open. The fantastic government that we have now just instituted a new law, Obamacare, which exacerbates the situation by cutting payments for medical services. Genius. But that’s what (probably) you and your Kenyensian friends voted for. Welcome to the age of the low information voter and the free handout. 4) As I have said in other posts, the private sector will do everything the government can do better and more efficiently. You are probably of the thought that without the government there would be no roads. Private roads are everywhere. Come visit Florida. The Turnpike (which I will admit is private/public) and MDX are great examples of privately funded roads. You want to know what roads are the most out of date and have the biggest potholes? Check the interstates. The Turnpike and MDX are both top of the line roads (minus the 826/836 interchange in Miami, but that’s because they are improving it). If it will help with commerce, the private sector will advance it. Same goes for air travel. If the closing of your local tower had that great an influence on commerce or was that important to enough people, it would be privately funded and stay open. The free market is never wrong. 5) There is no difference between Democrats and Republicans. One wants to spend your money on social projects, the other on the military. In either case, they feel they can spend it better than you can. Being from NY, do you really enjoy paying upwards of 50% of your income back to the government? Do you really think that you get that much benefit from it? Name 10 programs that you really feel are worth the money. You can’t because they don’t exist. Our government is an embarrassment to our country. We would be better off with a group of monkeys making the decisions.

So I am soliciting opinions: As part of my financing of my new bird, I incorporated some avionics upgrades. Originally I was looking to put in a GTN 750, GDL88 ADS-B receiver, GMA-35 Audio, and JP-730 engine monitor. After looking at some other people's set ups and doing some thinking, I am now considering nixing the GTN 750 and related ADS-B and Audio Panel for a GTN 650 and having an Aspen Pro PFD installed. No matter what the JP-730 is getting put in. What are yalls thoughts? Who has experience with the 750/650 and is the difference worth not putting in an Aspen PFD? As is, I don't have a HSI, so upgrading that would be a massive plus. I'd even consider picking up a 430W and going with an additional MFD as well if people who use them see real benefits.

For Sale: 1 AvMap EKP-IV Handheld GPS with panel mounting kit and all wiring/hardware for connection to aircraft power 1 WxWorx XM Weather Receiver All antenna and applicable cords/connections $1,200 New AvMaps are $1,300. New WxWorx XM Receivers are $600. (per Aircraft Spruce) These will also be listed on Ebay, so highest offer will get it.

I am about to list an AvMap EKP-IV and WxWorx XM weather receiver on Ebay. It comes with a panel mount and everything needed to connect to aircraft power. I'd part them both for $1,200 (AvMap is $1,300 new. WxWorx is $500 new). They are in excellent condition and work great! Let me know if you would be interested.

It is a private sector tower that showed a lower operational cost than the FAA towers and was closed by the government anyway. Our government and the people running it (especially at the top) are jokes. Everything the government does can be done cheaper and better by a private company. If the businesses on and around the airport feel that paying somehow for an open tower is more beneficial than not paying for a closed one, they will find a way to get it opened. The $8 gas is probably a choice by the private company to focus on selling to jets rather than us lowly piston folks. Lets see where that price goes if the tower stays closed and the jets stay away.

The private sector will always adjust better than the government could ever dream to....

I would not pay $5 per operation just to land at a field with a tower, or even be based out of one. I hate paying PBI $15 when I fly in there for work, and my company pays for it.....

I am about to start my commercial in my 231. If you have good reference RPMs and MPs, I'd like to hear them.

The only weekends that KAHN is busy is when the they play GT. Probably because Dawgs who work at Wal-mart can't afford to fly. THWG

Just wondering. I've had people express concern about the age of the reman (1995) in the Cherokee I am selling. It gets used quite often and does not show issues in the oil analysis. Also, the reman in the 231 is from 1998 so it is pertanent to the new bird as well.

Typically an engine has a calendar overhaul limit (12 years I think). What are the big reasons for this and are there components that can be replaced to mitigate this?