gwav8or

Every time I try to start my Mooney, the first start of the day, the starter bendix doesn't engage. It just spins but doesn't engage the flywheel. My mechanic suggested hitting the starter around the bendix with WD-40. This seems to work a bit but doesn't last. What are my options other than replacing the starter. Don't really want to do that right now.

This is the truth. I checked on new cylinders in January this year and the shop said they were more than 3 months out and $3k per cylinder. Seems like the A1A cylinders are made of something similar to unobtanium. I wasn't in need of new cylinders but was checking just in case.

That sounds like my luck. Been having oil mist on the windshield for several months. Drives me nuts! Changed out the main seal and prop O ring and still had oil on the windshield. Main seal and prop O ring both totally dry. Looked at the oil return lines and there is oil pooling around the connector on cylinder #1. Having the oil return lines changed out along with all the fluid hoses while it's in annual. Hope you find it and get it fixed quick!

Mine is the AI as well. Hope I don't have an install error..... My plane hasn't sat for more than a couple weeks without flying but my typical flight is only 1-1.5 hours. Wonder if that's enough to charge the backup battery fully?

Agree! Thanks!

Yeah, I contacted them yesterday and they said that they've tried warranty replacement with several G5 batteries and they've not been successful with the warranty. But, I'm gonna check the G5 this evening and see if it's in the affected units. Fingers crossed.

Thanks, I'll check on that.

Unfortunately Garmin doesn't warranty batteries. Says so right on their site. I think that stinks, especially for a $260 battery.

I purchased my G5s last May and had them installed in November. Picked up the plane in late December. So, I have 9 months and probably 30+ hours behind the G5s. I took my wife up on Sunday evening and the AI was displaying the "No Batt" annunciator in the top left of the G5 AI. I powered off the G5 and back on, same. I'm guessing the battery has already took a dive. I'm gonna try to fly this evening, hoping it was just a fluke but I'm not getting my hopes up. Anybody else have a G5 battery die after only a few months? I'm not excited about paying almost $300 for a battery that might fail in less than a year. Please no "shoulda went with "xyz" avionics instead. I've already got the Garmin stuff installed. Now, if someone wants to donate the $$ I'll install whatever you decide! roflol

That's awesome! I've considered the AeroCruze but was under the impression that it was about the same cost as the GFC500 to purchase. I might reconsider now.

Just posting an update to my original post. I received the new tire and tube on Monday. Mechanic took care of it on Tuesday. There was a tiny pinhole in the tube. Not sure where the hole came from. The tube did not appear to have been pinched.

Yep, I ordered the tire and tube I wanted. I'll take it to the mechanic on Monday and will ask him to look for a pinchpoint on the tube. Also, since this tire and tube are less than a year old, I'll ask if they use talc when installing.

True. When the mechanic helper looked at it today, he immediately said "Ouch, I think you'll need a new tire and tube."

Yeah, I had one in the hangar but it looked to me like it "broke the bead" but the tire remained on the rim. I feel very fortunate as of right now. We'll see how fortunate I am after the mechanic takes a closer look.

Congrats on the J! The folks at Magnolia have a C in their fleet so that made me more comfortable with them taking care of mine. They also took care of my Tiger when I had it. I have not. The flat happened at about 7:40pm last night. So, I just got it back in the hangar and went home. Unfortunately, I have to be at work today instead of having fun at the airport. lol I'll go visit with Justin after lunch today and get on his schedule to check it out.

Yep! They are the ones that take care of my Mooney. Great folks and they've always taken good care of me and I've never had to wait long for them to get to me either.

I looked it over when I finally got it back to the hangar. I didn't see a visible puncture. I honestly don't know what caused it. If it was slightly under inflated, could that have caused it? I don't think it was under inflated bc it looked good on preflight but that's the only thing I can figure.

Agreed, I'm fortunate. I'll prob run and pick up a tire and tube tomorrow. The tires/tubes on my bird are all less than a year old too. My luck! roflol

Last night was a beautiful evening to get some flying in. Flew for a short 30 minutes and planned to do some take off and landing practice. On the landing rollout, I felt a shimmy. It got worse and worse and worse...... I figured it was a nose wheel flat and I did my best to get the aircraft off the runway since there were a few other planes in the pattern. Unfortunately when I was just barely off the runway and not passed the hold short line, I came to a complete stop as it was almost impossible to taxi.

I just turned 50 and also no accident history. I only have about 750 hours, IFR cert and only about 110 in Mooney aircraft. Way less experience than you. I'm basically still a baby pilot! LOL You'd sure think having the hours that you do and having your ATP would be a benefit. Insurance is a racket but unfortunately they have us by the "jewels" and they know it. I'd definitely be shopping around. I used BWI Aviation Insurance (https://bwifly.com/) but TBH, they're just another broker. They did help me save 700-800 on my first insurance premium on the Mooney and then saved me about another 600 the second year around.

I just renewed insurance for my '67 F and it was just over $2000 with $80K hull value. 1mil liability, $0 deductible. You may want to explore other insurance brokers. Could also be age related? I've seen some individuals report that after a certain age (70 IIRC) their insurance either went way up or they couldn't even get coverage. To be honest, I think that pilots have a case for litigation due to ageism because of that.

Well, now I'm not so sure about my SOS..... lol

Well not 100% sure but I am 99% sure it's an SOS. The plane is pretty stock and IIRC I did see the SOS module when the cowl was off last. But again, not 100% sure.

PIREP on my original issue. Needed fuel today so I started up, leaned it out. Taxi to the fuel farm. Got fuel then went to the FBO for a bathroom break and a bottle of water. Back to the plane. Didn't touch anything. Hit the starter and after about 15 blades it started up. Thank you all for the advice!! I just hope the next fuel stop works out the same! lol Also, I think that my ignition switch is not connected correctly. From what I've read, the shower of sparks should be activated when the key is turned to start, without pushing in. However, when I turned the key to start without pushing in the starter engaged. So, I've got one more thing to add to the list for the mechanic to check out at next annual (September).

Sounds like Dan is truly awesome. Let's hope he is training his replacement.