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Hello everyone. Today I was changing the oil and filter and noticed blue stain on the fuel line for the #2 cylinder and what looked like a wet spot around the injector and on top of the push rod tube. I ran the fuel pump with the engine off and couldn't see any obvious leaking. Pictures below. How worried should I be?

Hello everyone. I am trying to find the P/N for the switch "housing" or "assembly" (I don't know how it is actually called ).. I am talking about the black plastic that houses the buttons and trim switch on top of the yoke horn. Mine broke on the base and I want to find a replacement. However, I couldn't find it in the IPC.

Who is your favorite Insurance Carrier (not sales agent) and why? I've been getting smooth limits on my M20J from Old Republic Insurance Company for many years now, and I've been told they are one of the best out there, but I'm wondering if I can do better? Blue Skies and Tailwinds - Hank

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone here has disabled the Gear Down light dimming that happens when you turn on the Nav lights. From what I understand, it should be a simple procedure of disconnecting a wire from the switch and/or the annunciator panel. However, the switch is easier to access and see behind. Personally, I feel annoyed but how dimming it is during daytime and for consistency of operation, I always fly with nav lights on. Has anyone done that? Pictures?

Scope: Installed the following on a 1979 M20J Mooney Dual 10" Dynon SkyView HDX Displays D30 Standby Attitude Indicator Dynon Remote Comm and Remote Transponder/ADS-B Dynon Autopilot Full Custom Panel IFD550 with Jeppesen Charts PMA450B Audio Panel Guardian CO Detector MD-93 Digital Clock Glareshield Lighting Electroair EA-15000 Electronic Ignition New Carling Switches Challenges Faced: Unsatisfactory wiring from previous installs/modifications Typical Install Timeframe: Approx 8 weeks. Interested in upgrading to Dynon? Call or email now to get your quote. Baker Avionics 541-507-1007 info@bakeravionics.com www.bakeravionics.com

Hello, fellow Mooney drivers. I'm writing to ask for advise from those of you with experience in older autopilots and autopilot servos. My 1990 M20J has an old but well functioning Century 2000 autopilot that is coupled to a Century NSD-360 HSI and GNS-530W. The autopilot meets my mission needs well and I have no desire or plans to replace it. A couple of months the autopilot navigation computer failed while engaged and the only indication was a totally dark computer display, no popped circuit breakers, no adverse indication on the controls. Recycling the autopilot circuit breaker had no effect. Testing by an avionics shop confirmed a blown internal fuse in the computer that was easily replaced. After 3 hours of diagnosis no cause for the blown fuse was found, and the computer was found to be operating normally. Now it's happened again, and the CFII/A&P flying with me has suggested the roll or pitch servo (no yaw damper) may be demanding too much voltage or amperage or both from the computer while engaged. I'm requesting your advise on how to troubleshoot the servos before again replacing the internal computer fuse. After the first fuse failure and repair, the airplane flew multiple sorties with the autopilot always passing the preflight check, and remaining powered (cannot be turned off) during the flights but not engaged for navigation or altitude hold. On the flight with the latest computer failure (expecting another blown fuse but not certain yet), we had the autopilot engaged for approximately 1.5 hours during which we completed coupled ILS and RNAV approaches, with everything functioning well. Towards the end of the flight, with the autopilot engaged in the heading mode and altitude hold, we were experimenting with maneuvering the aircraft by turning the heading bug, and that's when the computer again failed in the same mode, by disconnecting, with a totally dark computer indicator, and no adverse indication on the controls. Recycling the autopilot circuit breaker had no effect. This is why the current thinking is one or both of the autopilot servos may be malfunctioning by demanding too much voltage or amperage from the computer to operate and causing the fuse to blow. After downloading the EDM-830 data post flight and reviewing the 1-second recorded voltage history I found no spikes that could perhaps cause the failure, and the voltage varied between 13.7 and 13.9, with the large majority of the time at 13.9 volts. Any thoughts or suggestions on how to test the servos for proper operation and/or what else may be causing the blown fuse would be most welcome.

I'm posting this information for no other reason than to share what seemed like a simple muffler replacement becoming a mystery to every source contacted. I'm not going to bore you with all the gyrations but in a nutshell my muffler did not pass the leak test. Ok not what I wanted to hear but another unexpected $1800 for a new muffler...not a huge surprise, it's an airplane, that's what they do! The part number in the Mooney parts manual was 630045-503, I found the same part number when I searched on Spruce and QAA and AWI, etc. Why did I shop so many sources, I'm an aircraft owner, that's what we do! I did learn that pretty much all things GA exhaust system/muffler/risers are all under a single owner. I'm probably the only one that didn't know that. So here is the MYSTERY that seemed to stump all sources mentioned above. I've posted several pictures of my old failed muffler alongside the shiny new one. The risers aligned perfectly with the muffler as well as nice and flat against the cylinder exhaust ports. The ISSUE is where the tailpipe connects to the muffler. My original muffler (overhauled once in 2006) has a slight or subtle bend at the end and slightly (ever so slightly) longer. The new muffler was straight as an arrow and when we dry-fitted the tailipipe, it turned the tailpipe into the firewall rather than down the channel where is belonged. Has anyone else experienced this and if you did, what did you do or how did you correct? Thanks in advance for your input, I look forward to your valuable responses. Rick

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and settled on Mooney ownership, trying to decide between a J or K (252). I have read many other old forum posts on this topic, but I want to hear from you all who have flown both the J and K out in the mountainous areas west of Denver. I'm leaning in the direction of the turbo, but justifying the purchase and maintenance costs is making the decision a bit challenging. Just to be clear, I can definitely afford the K, but a wider dollar cushion is always nice to have. For clarity, I'm only considering the 252 variant of the K because I don't want to worry about the financial or mental workload of those premature high-altitude systems in the 231. Background: ATP and lifelong involvement in GA to at least some extent. Living in Flagstaff, AZ and based in Salt Lake City for work. The mission for the airplane would involved recreational cross country flights of 300NM or greater between four times per year and once per month. Using the airplane for commuting to work would be a desirable option, but not essential by any means. On the weekend trips most of the time we would be hauling just two people plus light bags. Occasionally a friend or family may join us. The vast majority of flying we would be doing would also be the most important stuff, flying down to lower elevation fields within the state of Arizona. No matter which type, night flying and approaches with ceilings below 1000 feet are no-go territory. Long story short; the main mission would be bumming around the "local" area for fun with about 30-40% serious, mountain-topping cross-country flying being a highly desirable option. My concerns with the J are performance above 15,000 feet and dispatch reliability given weather conditions. I like the systems simplicity and the associated lower burden of cost while enjoying the relative simplicity on fun-flying days. My concerns with the K are reliability, maintenance cost, the effect complex systems have on "fun factor" when hanging flying around the local area, and whether you all feel those are justified by any increased dispatch reliability. Thank you all for your responses, and stay safe up there! -Rich

Serial # 24-0953 Registration # N3827H IO-550-A, 300 HP, Continental Engine, 1920.21 Airframe, Total Time engine 565.87 on new engine. (currently being flown). Prop 3 Blade Hartzell. Prop Notes 565.87 Since new. Avionics/Radios/Equipment Contact Plane.LLC1@gmail.com with questions Century NSD 360 slaved HSI (rebuilt 6 months ago) Century 2000 2 axis autopilot with auto trim expansion, yoke button disconnect. Alt hold MX 170B and King 170B Nav /Com, w/glideslope KT 76A transponder with altitude encoding SF 2000 Strikefinder Slaved Northstar 600 GPS (VFR) Stratus GPS + Foreflight on an Ipad included KN 72 Omniconverter KN 62A DME , KR 86 ADF Hoskins CFS 1000a fuel computer/ Totalizer Insight Gem 602 graphic engine monitor, 6 cylinder SVS-11 standby vacuum system Sigtronics 4 place intercom late model wing tips w/strobes Recent leather interior Door seal hand pump Garmin G35 antenna installed ready for upgrade to ADSB Electric Trim, Push-to-Talk pilot and co-pilot on yoke Increased Gross Weight - 3200 LBS. Useful Load: 1090 , lbs (approx), speed max 230 mph +. Hangered full time. Please text for full log books and more photos

Better than New: The Refurbishment of N205J Mooney N205J is a 1987 M20J model “205 Special Edition (SE)”. It differed from other M20J “201’s” at the time in that it incorporated a few changes: 1. Fully enclosed gear doors 2. Rounded window lines 3. 28 volt electrical system 4. Electric cowl flaps with infinite adjustment 5. Upturned wingtips with forward facing recognition lights and aft facing position lights 6. Gear extension speed increased from 132 to 140 knots The 205 SE came right as the general aviation market was in decline, so only seventy-seven 205 SE’s were built spanning two years. N205J was previously owned by a business associate of ours. N205J was hangar kept most of its life. It had original factory avionics, paint, and interior and was a low time aircraft with only 1885.5 hours. It had Precise Flight Speed Brakes installed. So why did we put so much money into a 1987 Mooney? I am one of the owners of SureFlight Aircraft Completions which specializes in paint, interiors, and avionics. We made it a “project plane”. We worked on it when we had any gaps in our schedule. Now that it is complete, we have a demonstration plane to show and fly customers that showcases SureFlight’s capabilities. It’s an awesome Mooney to fly! First stop was Henry Weber Mooney Authorized Service Center at neighboring KLNS to perform the pre-purchase inspection. The important thing for us was to have a good airframe and engine to start with. We took care of some maintenance on the airframe, overhauled the prop, bought a new governor, put new gear shock discs in, etc. We had them complete an annual at the time as well. We had the engine sent out to Columbia Aircraft Services for an Inspect and Replace as Needed (“IRAN”) which included new Camshaft, Lifters, Bearings and Rings. While it was there, we had the engine converted from the Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D to the IO-360-A3B6 specification to eliminate the D3000 dual magnetos in a single housing, driven by a single driveshaft. The engine now has two separate fully independent Bendix magnetos. We had the cylinders removed to be sent out for nickel plating. After the engine came back, Henry Weber reinstalled it with new Lord mounts and made sure that the engine and engine cowlings were properly aligned. We added GAMIjectors calibrated fuel injection nozzles and then went to work on the full refurbishment of N205J. Avionics: The aircraft was equipped with a factory original avionics suite from 1986, except the addition of an Apollo GPS. It all came out. All the wiring was removed and replaced. A plastic panel is created to make sure everything looks correct before fabricating the metal: Yokes are painted black and a metal panel is installed: And then filled with equipment: · Fully Electronic panel; Eliminated Vacuum System · Garmin G500 flight deck with Synthetic Vision · Garmin GAD 43e autopilot interface for G500 · Garmin GTN 750 GPS/Nav/Comm Navigator with Telligence Voice Control · Garmin GMA 35c Bluetooth enabled remote audio panel · Garmin GTX 345R ADS-B In/Out remote transponder · Garmin GNC 255 Nav/Comm · King KFC-150 autopilot (the only thing that remained from the old panel) · L3 Avionics ESI-500 Standby Instrument with: Altitude, Attitude, Slip/skid, Vertical speed, Aircraft track, Synthetic Vision option, Navigation option. Magnetic heading option. · JP Instruments EDM 930 Primary computer for RPM, Manifold Pressure, Oil, Fuel, Battery, Engine data. · AirGizmos iPad Mini 4 panel dock · Nimbus Aviation Electroluminescent Circuit Breaker overlay. · ACK E-04 GPS Emergency Locator Transmitter · Guardian Aero 451-101 Panel Mount CO Detector · MidContinent MD93 Digital Clock/USB Charger. Paint: We painted a new King Air 300 for the Mayo Clinic earlier in 2016. We loved their colors. We knew that these would be the colors we would eventually use on the Mooney. Stripping: Everything that is not stripped is covered in foil. Windows are removed to be replaced with Great Lakes Aero Windows SC (Solar Control) Grey installed with Extra thick .250” windshield. All flight controls and gear doors are removed to be painted separately, airframe is etched and alodined in preparation for epoxy primer. After primer, an Axalta White Pearl base color is applied. N205J is painted in all Pearlescent paint which requires a clearcoat after each color is applied. This is one of the reasons pearlescent paints cost more. Paint Scheme Layout: Axalta Cumulous Grey Pearl is applied to undercarriage, wheel wells, airframe, and then clearcoated. Axalta Sable Pearl accent stripes are applied and then clearcoated. Final Prep for the Axalta Dark Blue Pearl: After all the pearlescent colors are applied and clearcoated, exterior placarding is applied, and the entire aircraft is re-sanded for a final overall layer of clearcoat. This gives the airplane a wet, glossy look and deepens the color, smooths edge lines between accent stripes, seals the placards, and it also provides a more durable and cleanable finish because you do not cut into the color when polishing. Flight controls are hung and painted separately: Cowlings and access panels are installed with new stainless steel hardware. Flight controls are balanced and then reinstalled. Interior: Unfortunately, we forgot to get some good “before pics” of the interior. It had blue velour seats with aged and yellowing plastic panels. Old seat covers off. Repaint the seat frames. New covers sewn for the new foam buildups. Upholstered seats with custom Mooney Logo headrests. We repaired cracks in several of the plastics, and repainted with a textured paint to hide any old imperfections. We decided against covering the panels in ultra-leather to save weight. We fabricated a hatch behind the hole for the windshield bar that holds the compass for easy R&R of the glare shield. Painted a flat textured black. Looks like new. The interior goes back together with repainted plastics, new carpet, new door seals, and new upholstered seats. After it was all complete, we put the aircraft on scales. The new weight and balance was 17 lbs lighter than before. We also performed the gross weight increase to increase the gross weight from 2,740 to 2,900 giving the aircraft a new useful load of 988 lbs. Mooney N205J – Ready for Takeoff! Update 6/21/2018 Since Garmin came out with the G500 TXi we updated the Mooney by removing the Garmin G500 and JPI EDM 930 and replacing it with the G500 TXi with integrated Engine Information System (EIS). Here are photos of the conversion: EDIT for 2021: L-3 ESI 500 removed and replaced with Garmin GI 275 backup instrument and a Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot.

Mooney M20J Service and Maintenance Manual (#123 December 1998) uploaded to the documents section and here. Have fun. Mooney Service Manuel M20J Vol. 1 of 2.pdf Mooney Service Manuel M20J Vol. 2 of 2.pdf

In March of 2015, we finalized the purchase agreement of N4352H, a 1979 Mooney M20J “201”. Early in 2017, we decided it was time to do a full modernization project and ensure the safest and most capable aircraft we possibly could. We figured that this project would take just shy of one year, so I dropped the airplane off one day before new hire class for my airline started. Upon purchase, the aircraft was equipped with the Aspen PFD2000 system, a single Garmin GNS-430W, the S-TEC55X autopilot, as well as the Lycoming IO-360-B3A6. With the exception of those upgrades, the airplane remained relatively original in its equipment. Her most recent coat of paint was put on in 2001 and scored as a 7/10, her interior was from 1997 and also was 7/10. Avionics: We first started the project at Airborne Electronics in Sacramento, California (KSAC), with an entire overhaul of the panel. After much debate, the decision was made for the following equipment: Aspen PFD2000, with Synthetic Vision (previously installed) JPI EDM 900 Garmin GTN 750 Garmin GTN 650 Garmin G5 standby attitude indicator PS Engineering 8000G audio panel Garmin GTX 345 transponder S-TEC55X with altitude preselect P2 audio advisory system Below is the old wiring being dealt with as we progressed through the tear out process. New wiring being installed, not a single one of the original wires were retained: The panel layout was drafted several times throughout the process and mocked up with cardboard cutouts: After harnesses were created the panel was cut and powder coated. All harnesses were assembled in a manner that lets the avionics tech remove a few screws and pull the individual components down and underneath the panel for ease of maintenance: Finally, operational testing of the equipment began, this was an exciting day for all of us: As an aside, I hated the rocker switches in the original panel, so we went with a more typical switch setup, for any CRJ drivers, you may recognize that battery master switch: The panel and glare shield once installation was complete and she was ready for her ferry flight to Auburn, California (KAUN) for annual: After annual she began her last flight as N4352H down to Santa Maria, California (KSMX) for paint art Art-Craft Paint (http://artcraftpaint.com/). Paint: I dropped the airplane off at Art-Craft and discussed our project. They were certain they could pull off the design within the 30 day window as quoted, and they delivered perfectly on time and on budget. The masking and foil process began the day I dropped her off: The paint was stripped and they kept me updated every Friday (minimum) as to her progress of becoming N187CT. The base layer was applied: And finally the picture that got me the most excited about this project, seeing the paint start to come together, taken two days before delivery day: Finally delivery day! I showed up via Uber as they were just putting the finishing touches on the aircraft: The final product. It was a mix between the Mooney Acclaim paint job, and another scheme that I preferred for the tail design: Below is the original design that we presented to them: Interior: We contacted Bruce Jaeger of Spatial Interiors (jaegeraviation.com) to come out to Sacramento to help us bring the interior into a modern age and style. Bruce spent three days in the middle of summer heat reconditioning and repairing our original 1979 plastics. The results were incredible. The attention to detail that Bruce demonstrated was second to none. He spent the time to repaint the center control stack as well to bring it inline with the rest of the aircraft stylization as well. Finally, the seats were updated to include "Mooney 201" badging. All in, the project took about 9 months, a long time to be without our beloved Mooney, however it was the best decision we felt we could have made to create our dream airplane. Kyle http://www.comstockaviation.com/

A few days ago we took off and retracted gear and then in the middle of the flight the gear actuator circuit popped. The manual gear latch was closed and it popped when there was no apparent load on the motor. The breaker would not go back in. We manually dropped gear and took it to mechanic who could not find anything wrong. The breaker went back in and there have been no issues for 14+ takeoffs and landings. Then it happened again. Gear came up normally then in the middle of the flight it popped about 10 minutes after takeoff and when we landed the breaker pressed back in and stayed and it hasn’t happened again. I am wondering if it could be something to do with the gear up limit switch. Maybe the motor brings the gear up occasionally then doesn’t shut off which leads to the breaker popping. Has anyone had this happen and any ideas? Thanks!

Who is worried about the future of general aviation internal combustion engine aircraft? I have concerns about what the future holds with regard to avgas burning light craft. The two biggest concerns are what will the future valuations look like if fuel prices rise dramatically and also the cost of operation. Car manufactures are pivoting to electric at a rapid pace with HUGE agendas for close to total electrification by 2030 for many. Both GM and Ford (among the other big guys ) are really rolling out the agenda. Will governments push their populations into car electrification by huge gasoline fuel prices increases with knock on effects for light aircraft? Will existing internal combustion light aircraft give way to newer electric aircraft, with an off the cliff dive of light aircraft prices as demand dries up? Interested in any informed predictions and timelines...

Found a 7/16-20 hex nut on the floor about 6 inches aft of the rudder pedals on the copilot side of my 1988 M20J 205SE. The nut is 1/4 inch thick. Just a basic hex nut; not a locking nut. Brakes are only on the pilot side. I spent a good while looking up under the panel on the copilot side and at the center console area and around the copilot rudder pedals. All flight control linkages, control linkage mounting points and other hardware use substantially smaller nuts. This 7/16 inch hex nut is much larger than any others I saw being used in the cockpit area. Maybe it came off some part of the seat; I haven't checked that. Any idea where this nut fell from?

Since I made the conversion to an A3B6 from the A3B6D the prop control is very stiff. I can, with one hand push in the button and pull out the control, but it is extremely stiff. The governor position was changed and the governor is new (rebuilt) and is the correct part number. The cable has no kinks and the cable to governor angle seems OK. I don't recall this being an issue before the changes were made. Since the cable angle seems OK I want to check the force necessary to move the governor arm. If I were to disconnect the cable at the governor would I be able to move the governor arm by hand?

Hello all. Myself and 3 partners are looking for a 5th person to join us in buying an M20J or M20K. The plane will be based out of Centennial, CO (KAPA, near Denver). Some details below: Buy In (per person): $27K ---> After legal fees for the partnership doc, an initial maintenance reserve, pre-purchase inspection, sales tax, etc. that results in a buying power of ~$117k Estimated Monthly Fixed Costs (per person): $275 Desired Avionics (buy a plane with them installed, or buy a cheaper plane and put them in): ---> Advanced Engine Monitor (JPI/Garmin/EDM) ---> Garmin WAAS GPS ---> GFC 500 ---> G5s as required to run GFC 500. If you are interested, please DM me! I hope this is the right thread for this post.

I bought a 1982 M20J 201 back in April and I took it for my first night flight the other evening. I didn't notice anything unusual until I was in flight for several minutes, at which point the panel lights started changing intensity at a rate of perhaps 2 Hz...bright-dim-bright, a bit random. I then looked at the ammeter and the needle swings pretty wide left and right of zero in time with the panel light fluctuations. I have a JPI EDM-700 and it logs various voltages from 13.6 to 14.5. The problem is also intermittent. Most times it doesn't happen until in flight (I've made a point of checking for it every time I fly now), and it will just stop happening for many seconds or even minutes at a time, then starts up again. Sometimes it happens on taxi to runway, sometimes not. I can't yet figure out what causes it to happen.. It's also probably a long-standing issue that I only happened to notice the other night since it was the first time I'd actually flown with the panel lights turned up and visible. I downloaded the last 50 flights from the EDM-700 yesterday and as far back as it has been recording (just since June- I'm in IR training in this plane), it has been recording variable voltage like this. Nothing else seems wrong and only direct DC loads like the panel lights (and presumably the landing light) are clearly affected. I just re-tensioned the alternator belt but that didn't help. The belt is old and I got a good look at the inner surfaces between the ridges - it has some cracking and in general looks worn, but I'm not sure it could be slipping for minutes at a time and then just stop slipping for a while, etc. And it's definitely under good tension as of this evening but a test flight after that revealed no change in the behavior. I also inspected the wires on the back of the alternator. The field wire (I think it's the field wire) is a bit damaged a few inches away from where it connects to the alternator (like, the insulation was nicked or something at some point), but it doesn't seem like it is a broken connection, just some exposed conductor for about 1/8" along the wire in free space there. I decided not to disturb it since I was tensioning the belt and wanted to address one variable at a time. Anyone else ever see a problem like this?

Anyone have any experience with the latest LED landing lights from Whelen or AeroLEDs? Since we have an M20J with a single PAR46 in the cowl, the AeroLEDs Sunspot 46LX with both landing and taxi optics is attractive. Thoughts? Anyone try the latest Whelen Parmetheus Pro PAR46 light yet?