Jeev

Quote: KLRDMD This wasn't the MSC at KVGT, I assume ?

Thanks for the link Jim I googled SI 1508B and will be giving a copy to the owner of the shop that I will not be using any more so in the future the mechanic will recognize the symptom of the oil leak on Mooneys. I will also let him know that the responsibility is partly mine for not being persistent. Here is the link to to Service Instruction if anyone wants it: http://www.lycoming.com/support/publications/service-instructions/pdfs/SI1508B.pdf Have a great week!

1978 M20J - History: Over the last 40 hours and month or so I have noticed my nose gear has been a little wet with oil after a flight with maybe one or two drips on the nose tire. On Monday after not flying for a week I decided to take a quick flight. Preflight was good but during the run up I had a drop on both Mags of 150rpm and almost no difference between the two, it is usually 50-75rpm drop. I did a full power run up everything was smooth and the engine monitor was showing everything was normal. In hindsight I should have scrubbed the flight but my thinking (wrong) was that it was still in limits (175 drop) and it may be due to the weather 30DF drop that week. Well I had a wonderful uneventful flight for 1.0....... I was lucky. Today I was going to go up for an hour to practice approaches for my upcoming checkride....... I walked up to the aircraft and noticed that there was a decent amount of oil that had dripped down through the open nose gear door on to the nose tire.... This "leak" had been "small" but large enough to leave a in-flight trail of oil down and over the nose gear doors. I had my mechanic investigate it two weeks ago and he said there was no problem and he could not find the leak even after I showed him the oil trail. So back to today; I was going to to another run up to see if it was fouled plugs then a flight if all was well. After noticing the increased oil I pulled to top cowl to trace the oil leak and while I was in there gave the Mag a shake..... Guess what?? It was very loose and that was where my oil leak was I am finding another mechanic! I cant help thinking of how long I had been flying on a loose MAG. Two oil changes and some other maint and it was not seen. After 4 months of ownership I have learned a good lesson. Any substantial change should be investigated and if I am not satisfied with the diagnosis or lack there of I need a second opinion. So if any of you have oil dripping on your nose tire even a small amount take 10min and check the security of the Mag..... This was the 1st time in 3 years of flying I was really freaked out! cant stop thinking of that Mag coming loose.... __________________

Although I have a Mooney service center on my field I am looking for a good independent A&P with Mooney experience for the day to day maintenance. Know anyone? I am based at KVGT - North Las Vegas. Thanks, Jeev

Quote: LFOD Outstanding pics. I flew the grand canyon on my way to Vegas about a year ago. It was absolutely beautiful. My pictures did not come out nearly as well as yours. BTW, I am going to be down in Vegas the middle of January, would love to check out the plane.

I have been flying in Vegas for 3 years and have never taken a trip through the grand canyon corridors. Here are some pics of my flight last weekend. My route was : VGT - North end of Tuckup corridor 11,500 - Down to 10,500 southbound through Tuckup then direct VGT (North Las Vegas) cortez VFR arrival. LA Center and Vegas approach were great and gave me flight following all the way through my flight. Just told Clearance delivery at VGT what I wanted to do and it was done. Navigating the corridors was easy with GPS but I didn't program in the GPS coordinates of the corridors and they are not in the Jeppeson database so I spent a little time using my moving map and the Peach Springs VOR for nav instead of looking out the windows at the scenery. I would recommend this flight to anyone who visits Vegas - Stunning!! Gallery: http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm...serGallery=235

Thanks guys!!! I just ordered the studs for now since I have a few missing from the damn shop when they did my last oil change but as I look closer there are a few retainers that could use replacing. Captain - I may take you up on that... Great excuse to "save" $50 and put some time on YG

The link Skycaptain listed above had everything I needed. For anyone else who is looking here are the part #'s Upper Cowling Top along the windshield - 40S5-5 Aft - 27S3-7 Front - 27S3-4 Lower cowling aft - 40S5-5

Quote: The-sky-captain Jeev, I just replaced all of mine. There are many sizes so it depends on which ones need to be replaced. Give these guys a call and give them the serial number of your plane http://www.milspecproducts.com/

Hey All - I am missing some fasteners on my cowling and also want to replace some nasty rusty ones. I see that spruce has a cowling kit for the J but I only need 5 or so not the whole kit. Does anyone know what size/part # I need? I pulled one and cant find any markings on it. Thanks!

Thanks - Flew around this morning for 1.6 and could not replicate the issue

Last night when I was getting night current my landing light and nav light rocker switches would just pop off on random times. I was flying with the nav lights for about an hour with out a problem but as soon as I turned on the landing light and fuel pump near the airport it would happen. Any ideas? Thanks.

Absolutely stunning!!!! Congrats!

Hey Matt - Weather and work schedule permitting I will be there! It is a beautiful area. Sanjeev

Nice find Matt!!! Thanks!

Thanks for the info guys! I will watch my shop do it and will prob just do it once and have them do it for convience like I have done with my cars Due to my IR training and my constant trips to So Cal I put 50hrs on her last month and had the oil changed at 50.5hrs. It was dark but I do add 1qt about every 6hrs so I am good with 50hr or 4month intervals. George, I am out of town and wondering if you went to Vegas and stole my plane..... Per your avtar you have the same paint job as me..... Good taste!!!

So I was all pumped to get to know my new to me 20J by changing the oil and filter last week..... Took the top cowling off (easy) then started on the bottom....... Didnt have my maintence manual with me and didnt want to screw up the cowl flaps...... so I ended up quitting and had my AP do it while he was upgrading some avionics....... I have been rebuilding old fords for a number of years (broncos / mustangs) so I concider myself mechanically inclined but I am also new to aircraft ownership and intimidated my screwing something up and it costing me $$$$$ or worse, a failure inflight.... For those of you who do it yourself any triks or do you leave it to the pros? Above and beyond the cost benifit of doing it yourself (will be flying 30-40 hrs / month) I like the fact of getting to know my aircraft by doing minor (legal) maint. My plan is to watch my AP do the next one and go from there. Thanks! SP

1978 M20J 1500 SFOH in 1993 Lowest comp found on annual insp last month was 76/80, runs strong with average oil burn, plan on running it as long as she is healthy.