firelog1101

Sorry I should've clarified why buy a more expensive Skytec starter vs the cheaper exchange and get an electronic ignition?

How would this compare to an electronic ignition like Surefly? I have heard the startups with those are 1-2 blade turns even when hot. If you're looking for a better startup that may be a better direction to look?

Love my J, cant get something with similar performance for the price. Getting an Eagle or Ovation shot the acquisition costs up too much for me. My only other thought was a Bonanza or Debonair, but it would've been atleast 15 years older for similar price. Beech had nice interiors that appear to have held up well but the panelwork and instrumentation was really lacking in the 1960s. Having the landing gear so out of sight was worrisome for me, along with the keyboard keys. Plus you need 2 extra cylinders to equate to relatively similar performance. A lot still don't have Autopilots

Indeed it was the switch, thanks to Bevan aviation and everyone's input it is back up and running without issue!

Same fuel gauge on my J has been wonky aswell with the engine running normally, will be getting checked on annual. I suspect the gauges just aren't very reliable. I would agree however that your Temps are higher than what I run. I am usually full cowl flaps to cruise altitude then full close. Temps are good unless low altitude high engine settings. Over 400 to me would be concerning. Climb out whe away from obstacles around 120 to 130mph, more effecient for time to destination and better airflow.

Different heat in the southwest but opening the overhead cabin vent, window vent, eyeball vents near the legs, and the underleg vent usually works well enough. Point the eyeball vent through your shorts keeps things cooler... Get the engine going asap. Make sure people are wearing appropriate clothing for the heat. That's loose fitting t shirt and shorts with airflow. Only other thing that could really help is some kind of AC unit hooked through the side window to provide Prestartup cooling. Too much hassle for me...

By the time you start using it the kids will have grown enough to be uncomfortable in the back. Look into an a36 bonanza. If you want cheaper perhaps a cherokee 6, but expect slower speeds.

Finally pulled out the control box and opened it up, looks like the black plastic on the switch has cracked, all the plastic is very very brittle.. Oddly I cannot find the plastic remnants unless they were dropped on removal. Just looking at the device I can't really see how the magnet holds the switch in the "on" position. I am getting in contact with the autopilot guys from Tulsa to see if they are able to fix it. I am hopeful that is it

Sadly my KFC 200 is now acting up with a similar issue. Was flying home yesterday and disengaged the AP using the trim tab. Now the switch will not stay in the ON position. If I hold it up it functions fine, will hold a heading and altitude. Made a quick video to show the symptoms...

I grew UP in El Centro, summer is not my favorite time to visit that is for sure!!

No there isn't any oil from the base of the blades. The shop guys said the crankshaft seal is completely dry but could replace if I really wanted to. They're not really sure what it could be and have suggested having the guys at Lycon in Visalia CA look at it since they did the overhaul in 2017. They said the last shop it was at put some red silicon(?) on areas that were leaking, probaby voided the warranty even though it has 100hrs on it.They also said the leak seems minor and might be a waste to go after at this time...just surprising for a 100hr engine to have a leak like this, at least in my eye. At this point I'm just going to wait for annual and have an MSC look into it.

Here are some more pictures comparing the cowling inlets on the left and right

It is the round tip c214. Also there is no window spray or puff whatsoever in flight. It's literally just that streak and a small splattering on that inlet

Thank you for your input everyone, it is a McCauley prop. Do these have the red dye inside? It sounds like it doesn't show up on a ground run but will with a 30min flight.

I bought a 1978 M20J back in December, haven't had any issues with it until recently I've noticed a small amount of what appears to be oil on the cowling near the spinner on the cowling. The engine and prop has 100hrs on it and was new since the previous owner had a gear up 5 year ago. I had a mechanic do an oil change and see if there's any oil leak he can find, he wasn't able to find anything on the runup in the shop and said to fly it around. Still have the small leak that I notice after shutting down, the actual oil amount doesn't seem to go down by an appreciable amount.