nels Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Just got my new to me 78 J model home. One thing that was going on that baffles me a little is the cowl flaps would open on their own. Actually it was a little startling the first few times. Anyway, are these spring loaded and supposed to travel over center to maintain their position or something along those lines? Is there an adjustment I could make to keep them closed during cruise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LANCECASPER Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Congratulations on the Mooney!! There's a lot on this subject if you search "cowl flaps" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markejackson02 Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 2 hours ago, nels said: Just got my new to me 78 J model home. One thing that was going on that baffles me a little is the cowl flaps would open on their own. Actually it was a little startling the first few times. Anyway, are these spring loaded and supposed to travel over center to maintain their position or something along those lines? Is there an adjustment I could make to keep them closed during cruise? Mine did the same. There is a spring in the system which probably needs to be replaced. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nels Posted July 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 5 hours ago, LANCECASPER said: Congratulations on the Mooney!! There's a lot on this subject if you search "cowl flaps" Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 The cowl flaps are meant to lock over centre in the closed position, also there is an assist spring from the torque tube to the firewall. It is above the right cowl flap. Clarence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marky_24 Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 On my 78 J there is only 3 position closed, in trail and fully open. Over center one direction is closed, just passed over center is in trail, about 1/3 open and then over center the other direction is fully open. When I picked mine up the mechanism was snagging the scat tube in fully closed position and it would pop back to intrail in the air and would not stay closed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeev Posted July 26, 2016 Report Share Posted July 26, 2016 Congrats of the Mooney!! Before you buy parts or take it in peek into the cowl and see if the flaps are contacting anything like the scat tube or exhaust. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nels Posted July 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2016 Just now, Jeev said: Congrats of the Mooney!! Before you buy parts or take it in peek into the cowl and see if the flaps are contacting anything like the scat tube or exhaust. I took the top cowl off today. The spring is there and door doesn't appear to be hitting anything but I'll look again tomorrow while cycling the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dooleypster Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 Congrats on the new Mooney! There is a possibility of the linkage catching on the breather tube and/or a clamp holding same. This happened to me.....very cheap fix. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeev Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 (edited) 48 minutes ago, dooleypster said: Congrats on the new Mooney! There is a possibility of the linkage catching on the breather tube and/or a clamp holding same. This happened to me.....very cheap fix. Agreed, take the bottom cowl off (two person job so you don't scratch) and look all around the linkages and anything they may touch for score marks. over time and after maintenance I have had my linkages rub on the exhaust and scat tubes. If you don't see any evidence of interaction then take her on in you may need new springs or some loose rivets / brackets replaced. Good luck hopefully it is a simple fix Edited July 27, 2016 by Jeev 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradp Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 On July 27, 2016 at 4:28 PM, Jeev said: Agreed, take the bottom cowl off (two person job so you don't scratch) It's a one person job and you don't want to scratch if you are willing to learn about gymnastics and yoga at the same time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeev Posted August 2, 2016 Report Share Posted August 2, 2016 On July 30, 2016 at 10:06 PM, bradp said: It's a one person job and you don't want to scratch if you are willing to learn about gymnastics and yoga at the same time. HA!! I've done it solo but you indeed need to be god at yoga... Much easier with a helper especially to put it back on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M20F-1968 Posted August 14, 2016 Report Share Posted August 14, 2016 This could be an easy fix. I had a similar problem with J model cowl flaps. There is a single spring that attaches on the right side, and can be accessed through the right open cowl. Find a similar spring (I found one locally, same size, diameter and wire gauge) tried it ant it worked. $1.50 fix. Bought another 6 springs for the shelf. John Breda 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nels Posted August 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2016 John, I looked up through the gear door of mine and I could see the end of the spring hooked to a tab at a link rod end. I was able to loosen the nut on the tab and rotate the tab which stretched the spring about 3/4 inch then re tighten the nut. I haven't had a chance to fly it yet but I have a feeling the problem will go away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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