Exhaust system cracking,and Erosion

[moxfox]

Getting ready to do the  annual , yesterday when I was almost ready to call it a day I noticed the exhaust system look a little funny, the metal looked flakey looking? So I got a pick out and this is what it ended up looking like,Yikes !!! Glad it happened on the ground. It didn't look like that about 8 hours ago when I changed the oil and checked the exhaust system then? I alway check it with compressed air and  soapy water , and do a close visual inspection. So keep a close eye on it fellas!!

[carusoam]

Like isn't exactly the button I wanted to push.

Mox,

I'm glad you were on the ground for that too!   I am also glad you shared what you found with the other Bravo owners here.

 

You are familiar with the exhaust clamps reusability limits, right?  (I'm not, just want to make sure you are though...)

 

Best regards,

-a-

[Bravoman]

 That is a very common point of failure on the bravos. Definitely something to keep an eye on. I had the same thing occur when I had my old engine. I have also seen other bravos up at my MSC with the same thing. 

[Danb]

11 hours ago, moxfox said:

Getting ready to do the  annual , yesterday when I was almost ready to call it a day I noticed the exhaust system look a little funny, the metal looked flakey looking? So I got a pick out and this is what it ended up looking like,Yikes !!! Glad it happened on the ground. It didn't look like that about 8 hours ago when I changed the oil and checked the exhaust system then? I alway check it with compressed air and  soapy water , and do a close visual inspection. So keep a close eye on it fellas!!

Yikes

[carqwik]

How many hours (engine), what model year, where stored (hangar? climate?)....???

[moxfox]

About 480 hr smoh on motor 1480 TT  , TIO 540 A1FB , M20M TLS Bravo ,1994. Alway in hanger,  Ca. Winter , summer ID. Climate dry. 

[moxfox]

Had airplane for year now , exhaust is the original. Before plane was is Texas , always Is hanger

Edited July 14, 2016 by moxfox
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[moxfox]

12 hours ago, Bravoman said:

 That is a very common point of failure on the bravos. Definitely something to keep an eye on. I had the same thing occur when I had my old engine. I have also seen other bravos up at my MSC with the same thing. 

 

[FlyDave]

Wow! That SCARY!!

I pressure check my exhaust system every 25 hour oil change except this last one when it was 10 hours after annual. But I know my mechanic is very thorough with the inspections (thats how he makes money!).

My exhaust system is original and I don't think that part has been replaced. Per another post (I think it was AndyFromCB) I give my exhaust system a very gentle tug on the first preflight of the day .

[AndyFromCB]

Was the exhaust overhauled with the engine or anytime before? Looks like someone has flown this Bravo very hard using the published power and TIT numbers and even possibly exceed some parameters before due to TIT probe getting old. 

[Tony Armour]

On July 13, 2016 at 9:36 AM, Bravoman said:

 That is a very common point of failure on the bravos. Definitely something to keep an eye on. I had the same thing occur when I had my old engine. I have also seen other bravos up at my MSC with the same thing. 

Yep, I've seen several. Luckily that one little piece is replaceable. I don't know the part cost....do you remember a ballpark ?

[kortopates]

I agree with Andy that this is likely from operating at too high of TIT. I prefer to see TIT limited to below 1600 except for short periods during leaning or doing LOP mag checks etc.

I don't know specifically about the exhaust part shown, but it's generally always more affordable to have it repaired by an aviation welder. They can replace whatever amount of material is needed to make it like new.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[moxfox]

Tony, new is $1200 ! Had my parts repaired for $275 .