Leaking Magnetic Compass

[Yooper Rocketman]

Ever since my engine (well, turbo) failure, whenever I get up above 8K' my magnetic compass starts dripping (smells like kerosene).  It doesn't leak on the ground when parked.  I can see a bit of air in the top, so suspect I will need to do something with it soon.  Anyone ever had this and is it repairable, or just order a new one?  I'm going into annual the first of March, so will deal with it then.

Thanks,

Tom

[DonMuncy]

  On 2/16/2016 at 12:49 AM, Yooper Rocketman said:

Ever since my engine (well, turbo) failure, whenever I get up above 8K' my magnetic compass starts dripping (smells like kerosene).  It doesn't leak on the ground when parked.  I can see a bit of air in the top, so suspect I will need to do something with it soon.  Anyone ever had this and is it repairable, or just order a new one?  I'm going into annual the first of March, so will deal with it then.

Thanks,

Tom

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A reasonably competent hangar elf can order a repair kit, a bottle of fluid and a device used in filling the compass from Aircraft Spruce, and get it going again.

[carusoam]

Tom,

I think that may be one of those things where a small bubble  expands going up to altitude.  And pushes a drip of oil out.  The next flight, the two bubbles expand pushing more oil out.

fortunately there is a simple OH kit from Airpath the compass people.  A new rubber diaphragm/seal and a container of oil.

www.airpath.com or www.aircraftspruce.com should work.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/repairkit.php?clickkey=15492

Best regards,

-a-

[LANCECASPER]

Chief is even cheaper on this item:

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/jm-repair-kit.html

[Bartman]

Another vote for the Airpath kit.

[ShermAv8tor]

Plus one on the airpath kit, I couldn't remove the screw to fill it. So I submerged everything in a small pan of fluid and assembled while submerged - no air bubbles that way, that's the key as carusaom pointed out

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Shadrach]

I went new...

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/sirs_compass2.php

[DonMuncy]

  On 2/22/2016 at 4:50 AM, Shadrach said:

I went new...

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/sirs_compass2.php

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That is no way to get elected president of the CBs.

[Shadrach]

  On 2/22/2016 at 4:14 PM, DonMuncy said:

That is no way to get elected president of the CBs.

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True, but given the old airpath had been in service for 20+ years, it was time. It is such a pleasure to read the green spherical display with blue backlighting.  It is heads and tails above the unit it replaced.  I considered it a great value for under $300.

[carusoam]

That handy adjustable mount angle to match the rake of the center tube is pretty helpful, no?

Best regards,

-a-

[Shadrach]

  On 2/22/2016 at 5:22 PM, carusoam said:

That handy adjustable mount angle to match the rake of the center tube is pretty helpful, no?

Best regards,

-a-

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I have nothing bad to say about the S.I.R.S. unit. The adjustments make setting it up a snap. The one thing that could be improved is the quality of the combination bottom cover/correction card. Other than that it is a really well engineered piece that looks as good as it works.

 

[jetdriven]

That compass fluid is odorless mineral spirits, from the CAS number assigned to it. It's about 6$ a quart from a hardware store, submerge in a bowl of it and turn it all around to get the bubbles out, then put the filler screw back in. I "have a friend" who changed out the diaphragm, then did that fill procedure and it's been working great for 4 years now. Totally illegal. 

Edited February 23, 2016 by jetdriven

[N201MKTurbo]

No need for a bowl. Just carefully pour the fluid in the hole till it is full. Put your finger on the hole and turn it up side down to get the bubbles out from under the compass card. Move it around to work all the bubbles to the top. Set it down and carefully pour fluid in until there is a minuscus of fluid at the hole. Carefully lower the plug into the fluid and screw it in. Blow it dry with compressed air and inspect for leaks and bubbles.

[joepilotmooney]

Shadrach,

 

I want to replace my old compass on my 78J - the plastic airpath housing constantly cracks, and the compass always needs maintenance for leaks.

 

How did you mount the SIRS? It doesn't look like the wholes will fit to the existing cage bar member where the existing compass is.