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Mooney_Allegro

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Everything posted by Mooney_Allegro

  1. Back in January, my TIT probe started acting erratically while taxiing out for takeoff in KMAF. It went from normal temperature all the way up to 2000'F slowly during the taxi out at 1,000 RPMs. It then X'ed out red. I returned back to the good folks at Deer Horn Aviation, and they suspected the TIT probe was bad, and replaced it with a new one a week later. While enroute to Las Vegas after replacement, the TIT indication slowly started increasing to red line and blanked out. I diverted, uncowled and checked the engine with nothing unusual, oil temp and all other indications were normal, so I continued the flight to Las Vegas with the TIT probe slowly increasing from normal temp all the way to red line during the entire flight. I suspected it was a bad TIT reading. I recycled the circuit breaker each time and it restarted the process over and over during the flight. I also called SAVVY breakdown service to get a second opinion before I departed from the divert airfield. It turned out that I had a bad GEA71 and it was sent back to Garmin for repair. When it returned, all of the settings were erased including the G1000 software, so my Garmin tech had a hard time reprogramming it for my aircraft options/installations. It took him at least 4 hours in total and several trips to my hangar. He ran down the new battery in the process, because he had battery 2 selected instead of batt 1 with his power cart installed. My mechanic ended up putting back the old TIT probe we suspected as bad and kept the new one as a spare. I recommend taking a photo of all the pages in your GEA71 in the event it has to be sent back to Garmin, otherwise it will take hours for your Garmin dealer to reprogram the unit when it comes back from Garmin if he doesn't know what he's doing. You also have to reload the G1000 software on it, which you can get from the Garmin website or dealer. I recommend saving a copy of the G1000 software and keeping it in the plane. Also, keep a copy of your synthetic vision unlock card in the plane for instances like this. I think I used a 32 gig card for the G1000 software. The process took a lot of time, effort and thousands of dollars. Garmin wasn't any help in the process. They just kept telling me, "contact your Garmin dealer with any questions you have". With an erratic TIT probe, the last issue I would have thought would be a defective GEA71 box, and that's exactly what the issue was. By the way, Don Brady at Deer Horn Aviation in Midland, TX (KMAF) was fantastic. They bent over backwards to help me while my plane was there for over a month, including letting me borrow their courtest SUV for days at a time.
  2. In my opinion, Henry Weber, in Lancaster, PA rocks for safety and peace of mind. That's why I fly from Las Vegas all the way to Lancaster, PA to get my annuals done. I've had too many dangerous close calls over the years with defective maintenance done at various other "Mooney Service Centers". Never again. Safety is too important.
  3. Hi Doc, it's the correct probe, same manufacturer and PN from the last one. ALCOR PN: 86309. Thanks Carusoam for your insight.
  4. Background: After overhauling the right turbocharger by Main Turbo, it was time for a flight test after a thorough runup. During the taxiout, the TIT (only 1 probe on the right turbo) slowly started increasing into the redline and then X'ed out. I taxied right back to the maintenance facility. The guys determined that it was most likely a bad TIT probe. A few days later, they replaced the probe. I did a runup, and it seemed to be ok. I departed and ended up diverting about 30 min. after takeoff due to increasing TIT into the red up to 2000'F, despite powering back. After landing, I didn't see anything unusual with the right turbocharger or anything else for that matter. In cruise, the MP, RPM, CHT, EGT, oil pressure, oil temperature were all very normal including no unusual burning odor. In coordination with my mechanic, I departed again, and during the next 3 hours, the TIT showed 40'F, and then during the next hour, slowly increased to 2000'F, before X'ing out. When it reached 2000'F, I pulled and reset the GEA1 CB (engine instruments), and the TIT started back at 40'F, and would start its slow accent towards 2000'F during the next hour. It would increase 50'F every 3 minutes. I also noticed that when I turned off the alternator in flight, the TIT would drop 75'F immediately, and when I turned the alternator back on, it would increase 75'F. With the engine shut down on the ground, when I turn off the alternator switch, the TIT drops about 75'F. Also, after my 1000 rpm run after the probe was changed out, after engine shutdown, the TIT kept increasing slowly instead of decreasing. Battery #2 may need to be changed because the volts drop off super fast on the ramp with the engine shutdown. My plane was sitting in TX for almost a month and the batteries ran down. They were recharged, but the damage may have been done. I'm not sure if this had something to do with the TIT errors or not. I don't think it's a probe issue, because this is a brand new probe and it is acting the same way as the old one with 600 hours. I called Garmin today, thinking it could be a GEA1 issue in the tail with the software, but she couldn't help. She told me I needed to contact a Garmin dealer. The mechanic suggested that the TIT probe might be getting interference from the alternator lead. At this point, I don't know what's going on. Has anyone else experienced such an anomaly with their TIT Garmin G1000 cockpit indication? Thx for any feedback.
  5. Main Turbo in California. I just had my right turbocharger overhauled last week for my Acclaim Type S. Main is considered the best in the USA from what I'm told. Very quick turnaround time.
  6. Absoultely gorgeous! I saw your plane when I dropped off my plane for an interior refresh by Hector. I'm getting everything done except the carpets.
  7. I ordered a box of Tempest and Champion oil filters back in April at Sun 'n Fun from Aircraft Spruce. Aircraft Spruce tells me not to expect them until October at the earliest. If they come in October, it will be 6 months! When I asked Champion at Oshkosh what the issue was, the representative advised me that the problem is due to the metal not being available to make the filters. He said they were not manufactured in China, that they were made here in the USA.
  8. My insurance rate through Falcon has been going up 8% per year with no claims for the last three years. I just paid the premium for 2022.
  9. I don't recommend the automotive 3M film at all on the rear window plexiglass. I had it applied to a 1998 M20J by a professional & well recognized auto installer in the ATL area. It looked great for about 5 months, and then it started to show major cracks throughout the film. It got so bad I had to have him come remove it. Luckily it didn't leave any residue after removal.
  10. Thanks Niko182 for the offer, but I’m looking for a new one. Kortopates, I’m not sure where the MSC is looking, but I’ll have a peak at the switch next week when I get back home.
  11. My MSC mechanic cannot find a part number for a 2015 Acclaim Type S ignition switch. I’m proactively changing the switch out for a very intermittent starting issue. The starter was replaced, the batteries replaced, the starter relay was replaced, so this is the last item to be replaced. If he can’t find a part number, he’ll have to pull out the original to locate the number on the switch. Any feedback would be helpful. Thank you.
  12. With that amount of flying, for piece of mind and to prevent unexpected breakdowns, I'd want a mechanic to go over the plane at regular intervals. I'd recommend having a 100 hour. Personally I don't think it's overkill as long as routine maintenance is not a cost issue for you. That's a lot of flying. You're engine will NOT be subject to corrosion.
  13. Hi Philip, Thanks for the info. When I used Air Fleet Capital for my Mooney financing, they only charged a $695 closing fee. Do you know of a financing company that you recommend?
  14. I'm just curious.....for an aircraft loan, is a Loan Origination Fee of 1% of the borrowed amount and an Application fee of $695 charged by the finance company routine nowadays?
  15. I have an electric Dragger Dragger nose unit for sale listed in the Avionics/Parts forum on MooneySpace. It's been a great unit, works well with Pipers with nose wheel pants or any type of Mooney. Easily works pushing uphill and over hangar door tracks. The good folks at Dragger Dragger offer excellent support via phone, email and even text. I currently use an AC Air Technology remote control tug, (T1X2) which has very bright LED lights, very easy to maneuver and attracts a lot of attention from my hangar mates. AC Air Technology also offers excellent product support and it's very sturdy. They now offer a unit that you can take along with you in your plane, by quickly taking it apart within about 30 seconds. The only issue is that it weighs a lot, so it will take half or more of your useful load.
  16. Three years ago, while flying from Atlanta to Las Vegas, I refueled in Oklahoma with 100 gallons. After takeoff, I smelled fuel in the cabin. Instead of returning I continued (mistake). After landing in Las Vegas, I found blue stains under the fuselage, all over the nose gear bay, and all over the firewall and related areas (after cowling removal). It turned out the main fuel line on the fuel transducer was spraying fuel all over the engine right above the 1550'F turbos for 4 hours. The main fuel line at the firewall was not even finger tight, about to completely let loose. My mechanic advised me that it was by the grace of God that I didn't have an engine fire or failure. I was told that the fuel line should have been torqued at the factory, and it's not something that typically comes loose. It's not something that's normally checked at annual inspection, because it's wrapped up in fire sleeve material and difficult to access. I notified the FAA field office in Las Vegas and Oklahoma City and I think they found I was the second Mooney that this had happened to. I'm not sure of the other Mooney model aircraft. I ran up the engine the next day to locate the leak and it was eye opening the fuel being sprayed all over the firewall. I have video of the fuel spraying out. Richard Simile's new Mooney Acclaim (one serial number away from mine) crashed on approach into Lakeland years ago. He experienced power loss on approach. I wonder if he had the same issue I did with the fuel line coming loose. We'll never know for sure. Glen, I'd take the cowling off of your plane and look inside the engine bay for blue stains. I'd also do what others have mentioned above.... look behind the sidewalls in the cockpit. Sometimes the fuel leaks out from the many screws holding in the fuel lines. It's a pain to access, but I've seen leaks there in my previous 1998 J model a few months after a complete tank reseal. The screws were not tight enough, allowing fuel to leak into the cabin.
  17. I just had both Concorde RG24-15 (24V) batteries replaced in May due to failing the capacity check. They were 6 or 7 years old and survived many summers in 110+ degree temperatures sitting in the hangar in Las Vegas. When the aircraft is not flying, the batteries are connected to Battery Minders, one for each battery. I think the batteries were manufactured in 2014, but installed in the 2015 Mooney if I remember correctly, making the batteries 7 years old. The batteries are not cheap at $795/battery.
  18. Dragger Dragger Electric Tug For Sale. Includes brand new Battery, Tires, Power Switch, hardware, and Smart Battery Charger (easily straps on top of battery). Can be used with Piper wheel pants, all Mooney models and other aircraft manufacturers. Easily moves aircraft over hangar door tracks and up inclines with ease. Local pickup only at Henderson, NV (KHND), Las Vegas, NV. $1,500 cash only sale. Feel free to send me a Private Message for more information. - David
  19. I always order about 4 cases of oil during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh week from Aircraft Spruce. They offer FREE shipping during that week. I'm almost certain that they offer free shipping during the week of Sun 'n Fun as well. I also order Tempest oil filters, cleaning solutions, cleaning pads, Camguard and other odds and ends at the same time. The cases of oil were $74.75 for Phillips 66 X/C 20W-50. Their policy is they don't offer free shipping on oversized and heavy items, but apparently cases of oil don't fit into that category.
  20. Hello John, Your issue is eye opening and very scary! I wish I could help, but I'm not a mechanic. I'm operating two turbochargers on an Acclaim with well over 900 hours and have not had any issues with them.....yet. Please keep us informed of your outcome so we can all learn. I'm sorry to hear of your issue. David
  21. Quick update for today........Went out this morning, it started right up, no issues. It was a cold engine, and wasn't hot like last night. The SkyTec C24ST4 I have on there now was installed 10/2018 and has 400 hours on it. To be proactive, I ordered a new SkyTec starter today from Aircraft Spruce and I'm thinking about ordering a starter relay to keep in the plane as a spare from Peerless Electronics, Inc for $484.55. The PN for the starter relay is: 26.57.01. The literature doesn't say it's FAA approved, but it does say in the literature it meets the requirements of MIL-R-6106. I'm not sure if this part would be legal to install on my plane. The labeling is identical to what's on my plane. Thanks everyone for your assistance! David
  22. Returned to home base today after a week of flying with no starting issues on previous starts. Conducted an oil change since the oil was hot, and upon turning the ignition switch, only one click is heard with the "START POWER" light illuminated on the annunciator panel as the switch is engaged. The "START POWER" light goes out when the key is released. The starter did not engage and the prop did not turn. Both batteries were replaced a few months ago after 6 years, and indicated over 24 volts before the start attempt. Tried to start on both BAT one and BAT two. I'm thinking either a start relay or ignition switch? Any ideas? Thank you. David 2015 Mooney Acclaim, SN: 31-0130. TT: 922
  23. 2018 - 10% drop in premium after getting more M20TN time. 2019 - No Change in premium. 2020 - 4% increase in premium. 2021 - 5% increase in premium. USAIG for the last 20 years.
  24. Happy New Year as well Clarence and to everyone else on MooneySpace. I'm hoping 2021 is a good year for everyone.
  25. I've been using both Blackstone and AvLab for years. I've had two samples that the post office completely lost, even though they were tracked. I'll never use the post office again with the samples. I've been using FedEx 2-day air and I get the Blackstone report emailed back normally just a few days after they receive it and AvLab takes a few days longer for some reason.
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