New "to me" Mooney Eagle

[GeorgePerry]

Since my initial post I have been inundated with requests for more information and details on my pre-buy / annual that I had performed prior to taking delivery of the M20S.  Up until now I have been hesitant to discuss the details largely because I have no desire to paint an unfair picture about a shop not knowing if the issues are systemic or isolated.  

 

But today after receiving a full debrief from the chief inspector at my local service center I feel compelled to share because of the safety implications.  When a 30+ year mechanic looks at me and says "boy you were lucky" I knew it was serious.  

 

To summarize there were two unairworthy items that were overlooked and others need to know for safety reasons.  Dugosh performed the service and apart from not listing any of the small squawks that I found after a brief walk around, more importantly they missed two serious safety of flight items that grounded the aircraft as soon as my local service center inspected the plane.  

 

First there was a bad exhaust leak from the #3 slip joint. (see the pic)  The leak was serious enough that over time, it melted the threads on the studs that hold the exhaust pipe against the cylinder head.  And secondly one of the four engine mount bolts was very loose (not even finger tight) according to my A&P.  Both of these items would have been discovered if a proper, thorough annual had been performed.  

 

After discussing my disappointment over the substandard pre-buy inspection, The A&P at Dugosh acknowledged he did a poor job and should have done better listing the discrepancies one would normally expect on a pre buy.  As a result the "new" owner of dugosh and I discussed the situation and he refunded a significant portion of my bill because of the poor workmanship.

 

Part of the blame rests squarely on my shoulders…Over the years Dugosh has earned the good reputation.  Also being collocated with the factory in Kerrville, I assumed this MSC was as good as any.  They had done the last several annuals and even though I KNOW buyers should have a pre-buy performed by a shop not familiar with the aircraft, I thought for ease of logistics and because of their solid reputation, it would be alright.  I was wrong.  The old adage about assuming applied in this case.  

 

The new owner of Dugosh seemed to genuinely care, and I could tell he was disappointed at his guys poor workmanship.  I do hope this issue was isolated and no one else experiences this if they choose to go to Kerrville for service.  

 

I am happy to report that all the discrepancies, big and small have been resolved.  The plane is flying well and my local service center told me to bring it in again (at no cost) after 5-10 hours and they'll give it another once over just to make sure nothing else crops up.  I learned from this experience.   The trust that exists between pilot and mechanic is sacred and even though there are less expensive options, I will continue to use my local service center because that's a trust they take seriously.  

[Txbyker]

Well spoken George, thanks. Can I ask where plan to do the 310 STC some day?

Russ

[GeorgePerry]

I plan to do the Screaming Eagle STC at my local shop in FDK.  Probably shooting for Nov/Dec to have it done.  Total cost is between 22-28K depending on options for tach and engine manager I go with.  I'll likely get a E.I. CRG-30P which is $4k by itself but that brings a lot of needed updates for engine management in addition to the primary instrument replacement and a 2700rpm tach.

[kmyfm20s]

You are going to love it!!!

[fantom]

Fascinating experience George, with a bit of luck on the safety side, and a fair conclusion on the financial side.

Thanks for sharing it with us. That Screaming Eagle will water your eyes!

[Awqward]

The loose engine mount bolts sounds particularly disturbing! I think that could ruin your day in a much more dramatic fashion than losing an exhaust manifold....How was it picked up? Was there a noticeable engine sag or was there a vibration/rattle? Flying so an airport away from home yesterday I detected an unexplained rattle an hour or so in....got me worried now! Think I will remove the cowl on the ramp and check those bolts!

[carusoam]

Anthony,

The potential for fire increases exponentially with the exhaust leaking out like that... As some Bravo owners have learned by re-using exhaust clamps. (Can't warn about this situation enough)

My C broke an engine mount weld, it would allow the engine to droop if the weld didn't re-align. Really confusing for the first time airplane owner. One day it drooped, one day it fixed itself, lucky me! (Not!)

Two very important things to know about, recognize and get fixed. Either of these challenges could be dis......

Wondering if a CO sensor would register something regarding that exhaust leak and it's location...?

Fortunately the long bodies are better sealed compared to my old C.

Best regards,

-a-

[aviatoreb]

Wondering if a CO sensor would register something regarding that exhaust leak and it's location...?

-a-

 

I cannot imagine how a CO sensor would indicate location of an exhaust leak - but....

 

I fly with a digital CO sensor.  About 2 years ago over the course of just a few flights my sensor started changing its indication from 0 to 2ppm in cruise and 10-15pm on take off to more like 10-20 in cruise and 50-100ppm on take off.  Those are not specifically dangerous numbers but I took them as indication that something was in process of changing and needed to be investigated.  We quickly found a small but important crack in the exhaust stack that needed to be repaired.  Now my CO sensor indicated 0-2 in cruise again and <10 on take off.

[carusoam]

Not that it would locate the leak...

The fact that it might or might not sense increased CO in the cockpit...because of the leak's location.

Best regards,

-a-

[Cris]

Since my initial post I have been inundated with requests for more information and details on my pre-buy / annual that I had performed prior to taking delivery of the M20S.  

 

To summarize there were two unairworthy items that were overlooked and others need to know for safety reasons.  

 

First there was a bad exhaust leak from the #3 slip joint. (see the pic)  The leak was serious enough that over time, it melted the threads on the studs that hold the exhaust pipe against the cylinder head.  And secondly one of the four engine mount bolts was very loose (not even finger tight) according to my A&P.  Both of these items would have been discovered if a proper, thorough annual had been performed.  

 

The issue of the engine bolts is likely to turn into an AD for the S. My aircraft is in for its annual inspection with a Mooney specialist who recently started his own shop but trained at an MSC. I like to do an owner assisted annual so that I get a good look at the AC that I am flying not to mention a bit of savings. This year the annual is very through on a 525 hour airframe. In the process the mechanic noted an SB on the R which ultimately turned into an AD. I is not applicable to the S but he thought he would check just in case. It addresses the issue of insulation between the firewall and the top engine mount bolts which does not allow proper torque of those bolts. Over time the engine can drop leading to a potential catastrophic failure. The S is not covered by either the service bulletin or the AD BUT my Eagle had the exact same issue and the top bolt was loose. The mechanic sent pics to Stacy Ellis at Mooney who responded that the problem is the same as described in the R service bulletin. I suspect the Eagle will at some point be added to this AD. In the interim look under your dash and check to see if you have insulation between the upper bolts and the firewall. If so it should be removed and properly torqued as per the SB on the R.

[GeorgePerry]

That's good info.  I'll follow up with my shop and ask them to pull the "M20R" AD and make sure my S is compliant.  Thanks!!!

[skyking1]

You are going to love your screaming eagle! I have experienced 200 kts tas at 10,000. Thanks for the post!

[Flymu2]

Nice choice, George, and welcome back. I am an M20S fan, too, but might be the only one out there who would actually prefer the neutered original version. 2400 RPM max so set it and forget it, no cowl flaps to fiddle with, and 175 KTAS at 13.5 GPH LOP. What's not to like, at least for the efficiency minded like me?

Jim

Not the only one. I like the efficiency also.

[Cris]

That is my first thought, as well...I will have to take it back to the installer to troubleshoot

We need to get some more people in on it. So far we only have 2. Call your buddies and get them out here, they don't have to have a mooney either.

Aside from the cost the 310 HP STC on the Eagle or Ovation simply increases the performance envelope making it safer in the takeoff mode since it uses less runway and climbs faster to get over obstacles. In the landing mode it lands shorter than the standard Eagle due to the drag of the three bladed prop although I'd suspect a slight decrease in engine out glide performance. You also get 60% power thru 18k in case you want to fly high not to mention 200 Kts if you can stomach the fuel burn. You also receive a gross weight increase to 3368 lbs and it allows the additional legal fuel to be increased from 75 to 89 gals. On the other hand the STC still allows one to operate at the low power settings described as efficient. There really is no downside to this STC and is an amazing bang for the buck on the Eagle which is why so many have been converted albeit with the help of prop strikes and gear ups.

[Cris]

The downside is the 20K plus acquisition cost, which is inconsequential to some but is not to others. Otherwise all true, of course.

Jim That is true but is actually 10k less than it used to be. More to the point is that you have to consider that the resale value is also enhanced by some amount. This investment is not a zero sum game. Mooney itself uses this same STC for the Ovation 3 which I belive is the only Ovation now being produced. Think of this as a new radio like a GTN 750 or a new paint job. There is certainly a cost but there is also a benefit. Price is what you pay but value is what you get.

[docket]

My eagle was a great plane. enjoy