Alan Maurer

Having read Mike Busch's essay on tops called "Be Afraid" and one of several issues being preload on the assorted. bolts ....he talks about proper lubrication of the fasteners that attach a cylinder to the case. We spoke of this at Sarasota Avionics and was told that the instructions from Continental to attach a cylinder call for doing this "dry" .......Mike says any cylinder work is scary business. Has anyone done a top overhaul on a mid life IO550 lately? And WHY? Cheers Alan N913ND

So Guys....Have we decided that is is OK and possible to install a GI 275 in a Mooney that has a G1000 system and remove one or more of the original three backups on the right side? Like ...for example in a M20R Ovation?? And would the installation empty one's bank account? And could these instruments provide data to the autopilot? thanks Alan N913ND

Having read Mike Busch's new book 'Engines" and dislike of changing a cylinder, I have a question. I was told today by my mechanic that Continental says that if a cylinder was removed that the deck bolts and thru bolts should be replaced dry. Mike says to slather oil on it first and of course use a calibrated torque wrench. Thought I should check with Mooniacs!

I suspect that it is not worth the cost and trouble. I fly the same M20R. Paper work and probable around $5000 . I thought...more noise in cabin, faster off the runway and climb but no increase in cruise speed. Change in prop governor and possible new tach that can show 2700 RPM....I am not an expert at all but I thought about it and decided it was not worth it.

Well Guys, There is nothing we can do about it. I fly an Ovation and have about 9000 hours (SMEL, inst, Comm etc) and this year paid about $7000 for my renewal despite a spotless record and the FAA Wilbur & Orville Wright Master Pilots Award. I am now 78 and have a fresh BFR and IPC and the insurance companies look at statistics. A few older pilots that ought not to be flying and fly infrequently get into mishaps and the premiums go wild. I like to think we are better pilots than the younger less experienced fellows but I wish it were possible to convince the insurance carriers. ...sad!

Hi what do those two abbreviations stand for?

Thank you… seems very scary

Hello Mooney People...My M20R Ovation from 2008 has an intermittent problem with #1radio. Told it was very scratchy. We tried switching antennas to see if the problem would go over to #2 radio but it stayed with #1. Now our avionics shop ( Sarasota Avionics) says , having obtained an exchange radio from Garmin that when the two #1 radios are switched, that the G1000 software (via Mooney and Garmin) has to be revised, which I am told takes four hours. In the past have been told to avoid doing anything with the Garmin G1000 software as it can cause big problems. Sarasota Avionics agrees it is not without problems but can be done. I would like to know what experiences anyone has had with this as I am worried that it will create a disaster. maybe better to keep a not so great radio. Thanks....Alan....N913ND

Hello, Similar problem. Oil changes with very small sparkles of non ferrous metal. IO550 with 870 hours since new. Boroscope of cylinders did not show scored cylinder walls and exhaust valves looked OK. My #5 always runs hotter CHT than the others. Wondered if the alternator in front of it blocks some cooling. We are watching this. Oil analysis showed increased aluminum and iron. Engine develops full power. So far no diagnosis?? Could pull a cylinder off but would like to avoid that....any ideas.....Thanks....Alan

thanks everyone...annual coming up ...will get exhaust system and muffler checked Alan

Hello Everyone, I have a question. Starting Ovation today the engine backfired...quite loud. Then did start in normal fashion. On taxi and take off CHTs and EGTs were fine ( well, cylinder #5 CHT always too hot on take off roll and initial climb) and I don't know if one backfire does damage. Could mag timing be off? On flight CHTs andEGTs were fine. Engine very smooth. Anythoughts? Thanks, Alan N913ND M20R

Hello everyone, I have a question. Starting Ovation today, on start up while cranking the engine has a backfire.....pretty loud. Then it started in a normal fashion and CHTs and EGTs were all normal. In recents starts this has never happened. Could mag timing be off? Any thoughts? Thanks Alan...N913ND Ovation M20R

I have a question.....My M20R is a 2008 model and Ovation 2. Is any Mooney dealer still doing the change to 310 HP? And what is the likely price to do this? Thanks Alan, N913ND

I read all the replies regarding LOP vs ROP. Using my Ovation I have tried both. So 100 F ROP vs 50 F LOP. Using ROP I burn five more gallons cruising at 8000 feet. And I gain about 12 knots. Running 50 degrees LOP , I save 5 gallons per hour but 12 knots slower. Both seem OK. IN a real hurry use ROP and go faster. Or LOP and save fuel. Flying around peak and CHT much higher and not good.....that red box! Avgas is expensive but a Mooney is supposed to go fast. Cheers Alan

Hi Everyone, thanks for the notes. annual shortly...will plan to get FF on T/O up to 24 gal/hr

I was flying South from Panama City to Venice on Friday in mid morning at 7000 feet with same settings and 4 kt tail wind (which does not changeTAS and I took a photo of my TAS. See photo below. Also Ovation 2 M20R. I do not have VG's.

Thanks to our friends in Canada also.

Thank you and special thanks to Harry in Adelaide. I'm heading back to Australia in a few months....not that far! Agree that 26 sounds better than 22 gal/hr. My cylinder head on #5 is just over 400 F on take off....too hot!

Hello Everyone, Flying Ovation so 280 HP available at sea level. With full throttle for take off, the fuel flow is just over 22. gallons per hour. Mike Busch said , in his book, that the fuel flow should be more like 28 gallons per hour. Our mechanic at my airport says the lower full power flow is correct. Engine is IO550G-7. What is the correct answer? Thanks Alan. N913ND (2008 Ovation using G1000 data.)

Here is the question....In my Ovation , the glare shield is getting very ratty. . Seems it is difficult remove it to get it recovered. Anyone know how it is dome maybe without having to take a lot of stuff apart? Thanks Alan N913ND

Hello Mooniacs, Flying Ovation with G1000 , occasionally the flap position on MFD does not show correct flap position and also ...again occasionally, electric trim quits ( with warning on PFD) and need to use manual trim. Then it goes back to normal......Any ideas?? Usually it works fine but sometimes it does not. Cheers Alan N913ND

This is my way....Mixture full lean...all the way out....throttle all the way in....full throttle......low boost for five seconds, then off... crank engine...it will start.....mixture in ...throttle back quickly....all set

Hello Mooney Avionics People, I was told my #1 radio is scratchy and switched to #2 and told way better. I understand that servicing a G1000 is not that easy. Anyone have any idea of the possible causes of this. Mooney is a 2008 model Ovation. Thanks\ Alan N913ND

always pops up on G1000. Is it a good idea to OK this or avoid it. I don't know what will happen....... Thanks Alan

Hello Everyone and thanks for the advise. We have noted that the alternator in the M20R does block the #5 cylinder. Recent annual but problem has persisted. Usually climb at Vy for safety/ In cruise the CHT #5 still around 350 which is hotter than other cylinders. I am not sure where this so called pixie hole should be cut but sound good. new #5 CHT probe changed nothing. engine is Continental tuned. model .Spark plugs are brand new fine wire plugs. It could be that this is the fault of the front alternator position maybe. Still, it is worrisome and will still try somehow to correct. Thanks everyone I have tried keeping mixture rich to cool engine but that does not help very much. Alan N913ND