Mac201

The nose gear on my J model is making a clunking noise when I hit bumps while taxiing. It also does when landing and there is weight applied to the noise gear. It sounds and feels as thought something is loose. I am not sure if this normal for a Mooney with nearly 7,000 hours or if something else is going on. My mechanic inspected the gear while working on another issue this week. He did not find anything that appeared wrong, but we have not jacked up the plane yet to cycle the gear. If anyone has any experience with this, I would appreciate any help. Leigh

The current issue of Aviation Consumer reviews 406 ELT's. They like the Kannad and the upcoming ACK, but they caution of the installation costs mainly running the wiring to the remote panel switch. For those who have installed the 406, was this expensive? Also, I have understood that the cost of replacing the antenna in the dorsal fin on the J model is a job, otherwise you have to install an external antenna.

Congrats on the purchase! If need help in Atlanta picking up the plane let me know. There are a few of us Mooniacs around.

I replaced my starter with the SkyTec NL149 when my engine was in for overhaul recently. It is great. No more problems with hot starts. They were a challenge before, but now with the high torque there is no issue.

When picking up my plane from overhaul, I had the chance to ask the mechanic many questions, until he finally gave me the look. Concerning heating the oil for runup and take off, he was emphatic that oil at 80-90 degrees circulates the engine properly and there is no need to wait to heat the oil any further. That's good enough for me.

I just got my plane back after overhaul. After break-in, I plan to use Phillips X/C since it is recommended by ECI for the Cerminil cylinders, and will add CamGuard.

Jeff. You had me! I had already swarn to never fly with you again. And I knew your gear warning worked! OK, I will settle down now.

Thanks for all of the information. I had pretty much decided to go with OH nickel carbide cylinders from ECI. I decided that if I needed a top OH during this TBO that I would have already saved $4,000 towards the top against the price of the Lycoming heads. And I really like the research in terms of rust and wear that I've found on the nickel carbide. However, my mechanic just called and he may have sourced some low time (about 900 hrs.) first run cylinders that we can send in for OH and Nickel carbide coating. I am crossing my fingers that they check out! We are watching our dimes until we get our second son out of college!

Thanks Jeff. So do I understand that they used the overhauled cerminil cylinders? BTW, are you going to the fly-in at PDK on Saturday?

My J model is getting a field overhaul. My plan was to replace the cylinders with new ECI Nickel Carbide (Cerminil), but I have discovered from ECI that they do not have the new cylinder certified for my angle valve engine. It's experimental only until certification. I am being told that my options are new Lycoming steel cylinders for $1,825 each (best price I have found) or ECI has overhauled ones with nickel carbide cores. With overhaul, I do not know the life of the cylinder and I understand that repeated overhauls is not good. Or I can have ECI overhaul my cylinders, but again I do not know the life of the cylinders. I just purchased the plane in May. I have recommendation that overhauling cylinders more that once is not a good idea. If anyone has researched this these cylinders, I would appreciate any information. Thanks! Leigh

Congratulations! I just purchased my M20J in May so I share your excitement. I recently went through the learning curve you are now. I am based at PDK, northeast ramp. Unfortunately, the ramp spot is empty since my plane is in the shop for an early overhaul. Ouch... still in shock. I think I saw your new arrival last week. Give me a PM. If you like, let's get together at the Downwind and compare notes and I know a couple of other Mooney owners at PDK. Leigh