Exhaust Inspection Without removing Lower Cowl?

[pilot_jb]

I've just started my first annual with my M20F.  I know that I read on the forum a couple times that guys have figured out how to get the exhaust apart for inspection without removing the lower cowl.  having an elusive 200hp bellow between the cowl and throttle body, disturbing it as little as possible is the goal.  

Would someone familiar with this procedure please describe the process?  

Thanks!

[Prior owner]

Curious why you are removing the exhaust rather than using the turkey baster method to check for leaks....

Edited August 31, 2018 by PilotCoyote

[pilot_jb]

Maybe that’s my question. What is the turkey Bastet method?

[Prior owner]

Run engine and turn on cabin heat, take sample of air from outlet with turkey baster filled with chemical powder that reacts with carbon monoxide and changes color. Only checks the cabin heat muff though. Some IA’s are content with that plus visual inspection.

[pilot_jb]

Is this method more sensitive than a panel mount CO detector, which I have a passes the sf check?

[bonal]

On August 31, 2018 at 1:28 PM, PilotCoyote said:

Run engine and turn on cabin heat, take sample of air from outlet with turkey baster filled with chemical powder that reacts with carbon monoxide and changes color. Only checks the cabin heat muff though. Some IA’s are content with that plus visual inspection.

This sounds like a science experiment. Undo the outer shroud that covers the muffler heat exchange only three screws in my case. Take a shop vac put the hose in the outlet with a towel around the end of the hose to make a good seal in the tail pipe and pressuring the exhaust start spraying soapy water around the pipes the joints and flanges the internal exposed muffler can and look for bubbles. No need to remove the lower cowl.

[cliffy]

A little flexible long neck video camera also works wonders

[RobertGary1]

No need to drop lower cowl at annual. Remove shroud and use mirrors. Saves a few hours. Also makes your expensive intake boot last longer  

-Robert

Edited September 1, 2018 by RobertGary1

[Guest]

I guess I’m of the opposite view.  How does taking the cowl off damage the intake bellows more that 100 hours of flying?  How do you do a complete and proper inspection of the engine with half of it covered with the lower cowl?

Definitely pressurize the muffler with a shop vac and spray with soapy water to locate leaks once the jacket is opened along with a visual inspection.  

Clarence

 

[RobertGary1]

Maybe different cowls but on my F the lower cowl doesn’t cover anywhere near 1/2 the engine. It doesn’t even cover any of the side or all the underside. 

-Robert