Exhaust system overhaul

[flyby201]

Does anyone have any pireps on companies to overhault my muffler?  I've called several companies today, most aren't open because it's New Years Eve, and I hate to just pick one based solely on price.  Spoke to Dawley, their price seemed good and they said they were the OEM vendor for Mooney.  Anyone have any experience with them or others?  Thanks.

[DonMuncy]

Dawley redid my exhaust system. It came back virtually new. They have a good reputation.

Don

[moodychief]

I had Dawley do mine in November during annual and I have the same comments.  For a rebuild it looked like they replaced everything and it looks brand new.

[takair]

Same here.  They have a jig for the Mooney exhaust and it is a perfect fit now.

[mtrebbe]

 Dawley does good work at a fair price.

[DaV8or]

Just curious, how does an exhaust overhaul compare with getting a Power Flow price wise?

[flyby201]

Quote: DaV8or

Just curious, how does an exhaust overhaul compare with getting a Power Flow price wise?

[DaV8or]

Quote: flyby201

Powerflow for IO-360 = $4500, Dawley said my overhaul would be $300 to $550 depending on what they had to do to it.  My buddy, with whom I share a hangar, is a Powerflow dealer.  A Powerflow exhaust is WAY down my list of desired upgrades.  IMHO, the tradeoff of $$$ for HP isn't worth it, but he has a C-172 with powerflow and I can definitely see the difference on it.

[flyby201]

A PIREP on Dawley.  Before I sent  the exhaust system to them I called them.  I was told when they received it they would inspect it and they would call me and tell me what it would cost, this would take about 1 day.  I inquired about what kind of price range to expect and was told $350 to $550, with $550 being a WORST CASE senario (their words).  When I asked how long the work would take they said 3 to 4 days after I gave them the go ahead.  Well, I sent it off to them and according to UPS tracking they received it on January 5th.  Today is January 10th and I had yet to hear from them, so I called them.  They said they had just gotten the inspection completed and started telling me what bad shape my muffler was in and that it would have to be replaced.  To make a long story short, the new range is $656 to $825 and the 3 to 4 day turnaround is now 8 to 10 days.  To me the original worst case quote should mean the worst case (everything replaced).    When I asked about the original worse case quote, he said well, we didn't know the muffler would need to be replaced, blah, blah, blah and indicated he had no intention of honoring the original quote.  They may do good work, but I'm not happy right now.

[flyby201]

A PIREP on Dawley.  Before I sent  the exhaust system to them I called them.  I was told when they received it they would inspect it and they would call me and tell me what it would cost, this would take about 1 day.  I inquired about what kind of price range to expect and was told $350 to $550, with $550 being a WORST CASE senario (their words).  When I asked how long the work would take they said 3 to 4 days after I gave them the go ahead.  Well, I sent it off to them and according to UPS tracking they received it on January 5th.  Today is January 10th and I had yet to hear from them, so I called them.  They said they had just gotten the inspection completed and started telling me what bad shape my muffler was in and that it would have to be replaced.  To make a long story short, the new range is $656 to $825 and the 3 to 4 day turnaround is now 8 to 10 days.  To me the original worst case quote should mean the worst case (everything replaced).    When I asked about the original worse case quote, he said well, we didn't know the muffler would need to be replaced, blah, blah, blah and indicated he had no intention of honoring the original quote.  They may do good work, but I'm not happy right now.

[KSMooniac]

I'm really sorry this is not going well.  I typically hate recommending places for this reason.  I wish I could recall the name of the guy I dealt with.  I'm surprised they gave you such a low worst case.  I don't recall the number but they warned me about the possibility of higher cost if the exhaust was in worse shape.  Again, sorry your experience is not going as well as mine did.  I hope the quality at least makes up for it.

[takair]

Quote: KSMooniac

I'm really sorry this is not going well.  I typically hate recommending places for this reason.  I wish I could recall the name of the guy I dealt with.  I'm surprised they gave you such a low worst case.  I don't recall the number but they warned me about the possibility of higher cost if the exhaust was in worse shape.  Again, sorry your experience is not going as well as mine did.  I hope the quality at least makes up for it.

[fantom]

For whatever it's worth, $550 for a worst case senario is very unrealistic, but that doesn't help you. This is why I like to deal with locals whenever possible. Dawley does excellent work. Good luck!

[OR75]

 just out of curiosity, what would a new muffler cost ?

While at Oshkosh last year, a few manufacturers had PMA replacements for Mooneys.

[DaV8or]

Quote: flyby201

To me the original worst case quote should mean the worst case (everything replaced).    When I asked about the original worse case quote, he said well, we didn't know the muffler would need to be replaced, blah, blah, blah and indicated he had no intention of honoring the original quote.  They may do good work, but I'm not happy right now.

[MARZ]

I got a quote from planexhaust.net for 525 plus 100 core charge and another from aircraftexhaust.com - theirs was @ 1200 if memory serves but that was for muffler and risers complete.

I wound up having mine repaired locally.

[Cruiser]

Let me make you feel better, I had the engine replaced on my '84J two years ago at that time the exhaust was removed and sent out for overhaul at a cost of $1,150.00.

[MooneyMitch]

Here is some price camparison information for you.  My experience from my former F model from Dawley.   I sent my system to Dawley for internal muffler baffling repair back in 2000.  Final price was $1200.00 by the time the unit was finished.  

[flyby201]

Quote: flyby201

 the new range is $656 to $825 and the 3 to 4 day turnaround is now 8 to 10 days.  To me the original worst case quote should mean the worst case (everything replaced).    When I asked about the original worse case quote, he said well, we didn't know the muffler would need to be replaced, blah, blah, blah and indicated he had no intention of honoring the original quote.  They may do good work, but I'm not happy right now.

[MooneyMitch]

Hey Steven.

That is really very good news!  Congratulations.

[kallend]

Quote: flyby201

Powerflow for IO-360 = $4500, Dawley said my overhaul would be $300 to $550 depending on what they had to do to it.  My buddy, with whom I share a hangar, is a Powerflow dealer.  A Powerflow exhaust is WAY down my list of desired upgrades.  IMHO, the tradeoff of $$$ for HP isn't worth it, but he has a C-172 with powerflow and I can definitely see the difference on it.

[fantom]

Quote: kallend

Powerflow for IO-360 = $4500, Dawley said my overhaul would be $300 to $550 depending on what they had to do to it.  My buddy, with whom I share a hangar, is a Powerflow dealer.  A Powerflow exhaust is WAY down my list of desired upgrades.  IMHO, the tradeoff of $$$ for HP isn't worth it, but he has a C-172 with powerflow and I can definitely see the difference on it.

[1964-M20E]

I just ordered a new one from aircraft exhaust.com.  If I can reuse my shroud I can get away with about $1600 fi not then $2100.  Somebody should have said airplanes are expensive.

Anybody have a source for the tailpipe support spring?

 

 

[HopePilot]

In case anyone has missed the deal that Powerflow has going right now:

 

http://www.generalaviationnews.com/2011/03/01/power-flow-debuts-progressive-rebates-for-mooney-owners/

[bgpilot1]

I have a friend with an experimental who had his exhaust thermal coated.  I can't remember the exact company name but I believe there are several out there who can do this and it decreases the temperatures and potentially increases horsepower.  He had his entire exhaust done for under 300 dollars.  Anyone else heard of this?  Here is one website I found.

http://www.finishlinecoatings.com/faq.htm

Barry