Need Mooney pre-buy inspection in Florida

[Firebird2xc]

Hey all, I need some advice...

I met a Mooniac today, he showed me his airplane, we took a flight around the patch, I was hooked on the spot.  The airplane is Punta Gorda based.  The owner wanted to use his guy, of course, but I insisted we have a third party look at it and he agreed.

I'm looking for a Pre Purchase Inspection in the Sarasota, FL area.  Sarasota Avionics lists themselves as pre-buy inspectors with Mooney experience, but I mistakenly believed that there was a MSC in Sarasota.  I'd rather not have it done in Punta Gorda by home field mechanics, etc.  I don't know where else to take it.  Daytona seems a bit far, although for the owner that wouldn't be too far of a flight.  I've heard sketchy things about Premier in KFXE, so I'm not sure where to turn.  I'm definitely open to suggestions...  

I also wonder what one would expect to pay for a thorough pre-buy inspection?  I'm mechanically savvy, but I don't know the inner workings of a GA engine nearly well enough to attempt this sort of thing by myself...

[carusoam]

1) Rumors of sketchy things that you heard probably won't Be much help...

2) JC at Daytona rebuilt a 201 to better than new status and demonstrated some of the skills his shop has.  That is a thread worth reading...

3) Not sure when an avionics shop makes sense for a PPI.  It would be good if you were buying an expensive I-panel...

4) Why do you need a PPI?

Best regards,

-a-

[AAER]

Sarasota Avionics is a MSC.  Their Mooney shop is located at KVNC.  I had them perform my annual this year, have had avionics work/upgrades performed, mechanical issues fixed,  and autopilot repairs done there.  I have been very impressed with everyone I have encountered at their facility.  They are very easy to work with.  Their Director of Maintenance (D.G.) is very knowledgeable and thorough.  Hope this helps.

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard, EBJ.

Thanks for sharing the details, and personal experience...

Best regards,

-a-

[ArtVandelay]

We have some from Tampa area this list, my mechanic at KFPR owns a J and there are several Mooneys on the field.
I would do a PPI:
Inspect for corrosion!!
Borescope the cylinders
Check the fuel tanks for leaks
That covers the expensive parts.

[Firebird2xc]

3 hours ago, EBJ said:

Sarasota Avionics is a MSC.  Their Mooney shop is located at KVNC.  I had them perform my annual this year, have had avionics work/upgrades performed, mechanical issues fixed,  and autopilot repairs done there.  I have been very impressed with everyone I have encountered at their facility.  They are very easy to work with.  Their Director of Maintenance (D.G.) is very knowledgeable and thorough.  Hope this helps.

Yes, thank you, this is very helpful.  I think I'll contact them in the morning and see what they can setup.

[Firebird2xc]

4 hours ago, carusoam said:

1) Rumors of sketchy things that you heard probably won't Be much help...

2) JC at Daytona rebuilt a 201 to better than new status and demonstrated some of the skills his shop has.  That is a thread worth reading...

3) Not sure when a avionics shop makes sense for a PPI.  It would be good if you were buying an expensive I-panel...

4) Why do you need a PPI?

Best regards,

-a-

1.  Word of mouth, good or bad, is word of mouth.  The prior reports of customers may be bunk, but there's often truth in it.
2.  I just found that thread- I'm enjoying it.  I'm an east coast Floridian- I imagine I may be seeing him about work on my airplane-to-be in the years ahead...
3.  Because they're a MSC.  

4.  Because I'm buying an airplane.  Did you ask this question seriously?

[Firebird2xc]

3 hours ago, teejayevans said:

We have some from Tampa area this list, my mechanic at KFPR owns a J and there are several Mooneys on the field.
I would do a PPI:
Inspect for corrosion!!
Borescope the cylinders
Check the fuel tanks for leaks
That covers the expensive parts.

There's some minor surface corrosion on some outer parts.  I've seen worse...  Looking for spar/frame/engine corrosion will be done.
Borescope will be done.  I really want to see the camshaft before I sign the final papers...
The tanks had bladders installed.  They seem to be bone dry now.  No fuel smells.

Gear donuts were done in 2013, Glass, 2006.  Bladders 1996.  Usually gets Corrosion X treatments... 
Somewhat odd- had lever style engine controls instead of pushrod type.  I don't think that's typical for a 1977 J model.
Minor damage history including prop strike in 2006.  Engine got complete tear down inspection and NDI work, logged.  Prop replaced.  Everything else looked normal at first glance.

[Hank]

Quadrants rule! They started sometime in the 60s with C, E & F, and continued through the '77 J. Beginning with 1978, the J had push-pull throttle knobs; vernier have been installed by some owners for some or all of them.

[Hank]

Double welcome, @EBJ! Where in Alabama are you? Put your location in your avatar, you'll be the 4th Alabama Mooney here.

[XXX]

This is the first I've heard of Sarasota Avionics being a MSC. They may be great, names I see consistently around here and can vouch for would be Bill Turley at Aircraft Engineering in Bartow and Phil Jiminez (PJ) in Avon Park.

http://aircraftengineeringinc.com/

https://www.manta.com/c/mtdm677/p-j-aircraft-service-inc

The quadrant came from the factory on the '77 J. I like mine, no issues fine tuning it once you get used to it. Logs should be checked extensivley. Good luck and welcome to the club.

[flyntgr1]

3 hours ago, Firebird2xc said:

There's some minor surface corrosion on some outer parts.  I've seen worse...  Looking for spar/frame/engine corrosion will be done.
Borescope will be done.  I really want to see the camshaft before I sign the final papers...
The tanks had bladders installed.  They seem to be bone dry now.  No fuel smells.

Gear donuts were done in 2013, Glass, 2006.  Bladders 1996.  Usually gets Corrosion X treatments... 
Somewhat odd- had lever style engine controls instead of pushrod type.  I don't think that's typical for a 1977 J model.
Minor damage history including prop strike in 2006.  Engine got complete tear down inspection and NDI work, logged.  Prop replaced.  Everything else looked normal at first glance.

Can you see the Cam without pulling a cylinder?

[carusoam]

4 hours ago, Firebird2xc said:

 

4.  Because I'm buying an airplane.  Did you ask this question seriously?

Sorry, Your project is spread over a couple of different threads.  

The order of the threads are often organized based on the reader.

yes, it was serious... because this thread mentions your level of interest in Moonies but didn't mention buying one.

overall it is challenging to follow one person's project unless it is kept in one thread.

It would be great to have that level of cognitive capacity.  Some people have it. Some people don't.  

Memory is affected by time and sleep.  After a few days, it is going to be really challenging for many people to remember your details clear enough to be of help...

people like to help.  Putting enough unique detail in your avatar helps them help you.

Fun stuff I learned hanging out at MS.

Seeing the cam...  nice idea, not easy to do.  Resistance from owners for such an invasive procedure doesn't mean they are hiding something.  They can be uneasy about things that are much less invasive than that...  

Best regards,

-a-

[Ftlausa]

Phil Jimenez is in Avon Park, and he has an excellent reputation as a Mooney Mechanic.  I am told is reasonably priced.  He has many recommendations on this site if you do a search for him.  I think his company is PJ Aircraft.  

[Oldguy]

3 hours ago, Hank said:

Double welcome, @EBJ! Where in Alabama are you? Put your location in your avatar, you'll be the 4th Alabama Mooney here.

Hey, now, let's count better. You, me, @PMcClure, @Brandontwalker are the ones I can easily pick out of my failing memory.

But I agree with Hank. Welcome aboard, and please do put your location in so we have a good idea of where we can head for breakfast or lunch sometime!

[LANCECASPER]

1 hour ago, Ftlausa said:

Phil Jimenez is in Avon Park, and he has an excellent reputation as a Mooney Mechanic.  I am told is reasonably priced.  He has many recommendations on this site if you do a search for him.  I think his company is PJ Aircraft.  

Everything I've heard about Phil Jiminez is great. His email is: swiftss559@gmail.com (This may be his cell number 352-222-9135, but for sure that's his e-mail address.)

[ArtVandelay]

Can you see the Cam without pulling a cylinder?

On a Lycoming you have to pull the cylinder, on Continental you have to pull lifter. Either way, very invasive.

[flyboy0681]

2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

Everything I've heard about Phil Jiminez is great. His email is: swiftss559@gmail.com (This may be his cell number 352-222-9135, but for sure that's his e-mail address.)

Phil will be receiving 61Z in a couple of weeks for it's annual. Everything written about him... is absolutely true.

[Firebird2xc]

5 hours ago, flyntgr1 said:

Can you see the Cam without pulling a cylinder?

I'm not sure- I don't know these engines as well as I'd like.  If I have to pay to pull a jug, I may just pay to pull a jug.  I had a friend just get screwed on some corrosion pitting on his cam- he had to overhaul early.  The airplane I'm looking at gets occasional attention but has only flown about 140 hours tach time in the last 10 years.

[Firebird2xc]

1 hour ago, teejayevans said:

On a Lycoming you have to pull the cylinder, on Continental you have to pull lifter. Either way, very invasive.

From what I'm told, worth it for a pre-buy.

[Firebird2xc]

2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

Everything I've heard about Phil Jiminez is great. His email is: swiftss559@gmail.com (This may be his cell number 352-222-9135, but for sure that's his e-mail address.)

Thank you!

[Firebird2xc]

6 hours ago, Hank said:

Quadrants rule! They started sometime in the 60s with C, E & F, and continued through the '77 J. Beginning with 1978, the J had push-pull throttle knobs; vernier have been installed by some owners for some or all of them.

Okay, so it's not an oddity.  I'm a fan of the quadrant myself.  Thank you for the knowledge!

[Firebird2xc]

4 hours ago, Ftlausa said:

Phil Jimenez is in Avon Park, and he has an excellent reputation as a Mooney Mechanic.  I am told is reasonably priced.  He has many recommendations on this site if you do a search for him.  I think his company is PJ Aircraft.  

Thank you, this is very helpful!

[flyntgr1]

1 hour ago, Firebird2xc said:

From what I'm told, worth it for a pre-buy.

I'm sure it is worth it to the buyer, but i doubt the seller will allow it.  I myself would not.

[Firebird2xc]

Just now, flyntgr1 said:

I'm sure it is worth it to the buyer, but i doubt the seller will allow it.  I myself would not.

Now moot.  This airplane didn't make it through the phone interview with the PPI mechanic.  Apparently I'm a little more ignorant and eager than I realized.  I'm letting this one go, with apologies to the seller.  This is going to be a long hard search.