N2652W will have a new home!

[Z W]

I have a vacuum powered step, but when it stops moving, it's usually just gotten sticky and needs a cleaning with some WD40 and then another shot of Triflow and some manual retractions (push it up into the fuselage from the outside).  Good thing to check once per year or so, and definitely before engaging a mechanic.  Hope it's something easy for you.

[LANCECASPER]

On 11/25/2024 at 9:35 PM, hammdo said:

Well, started on oil change, found the quick drain won’t go up anymore. Tried to remove it and someone in the past seal those drain plugs forever. I tried removing the plug on the pilots side and BROKE my cheap wrench! So, had to resort to using the electric oil drain pump and that did the job. I’m not about to drop the sump - I have a feeling the sump would need to be replace since these damn things are in there for good. Not spending 3k to 4k on a new one — didn’t find a used one either.

Electric oil drain pump worked just fine and a drip of oil occasionally from the quick drain. Would love to know who seal the drains shut…

Anyway, change is done, filter on, run up with no leaks. Didn’t see the problem yet on the step - looked for the fuse but didn’t see one. May have to have the shop look at that during annual.

-Don

On a Lycoming TIO-540-AF1B, I would get a drip on the quick drain and couldn't remove the quick drain. I flew it over to Dugosh and they couldn't wrench it off either, so they heated it up and replaced it. It never dripped again as long as I owned it. I'm glad they did it and not me. 

[hammdo]

Yeah, will ask AP about it at annual…

[hammdo]

Flew today with my CFII, 3 approaches, 2 holds, plane flew great, oil leaks in check. Noticed how much the step slows down the plane. Next on the list now that oil leak is better. takair gave me some tips so I’ll check those out.

Discovered the tight fittings on the sump is not unusual if not removed in a long time. I’ll ask about them at annual.

Running great.

KGGG has a lot of construction going on so I’ll call Maxwells and ck ahead of time about the control rods before venturing out there.

-Don

 

[hammdo]

Got a couple of approaches in today -- oil is doing fine -- but, the filter, for the first time, is showing ferrous metal after the cylinder IRAN.  The past oil reports showed it going down -- I have about 60 hrs on the engine since then.  I'm going to keep and eye on it and do the oil changes per Lycoming SI 1492D.  Pic of what I found after running a magnet over the media (that is a small magnet too):

 

[47U]

2 hours ago, hammdo said:

I'm going to keep and eye on it and do the oil changes per Lycoming SI 1492D.

Was there anything in the suction screen in the sump?

[hammdo]

That is going to be checked at annual next month. I went from nothing to this since the cylinder was done. My IRON was higher on the oil reports after the cylinder but trending down after each oil change - waiting on the latest to see if it went up. Borescope will be done. Annual is after the first of the year.

-Don

[hammdo]

Spoke with the A&P (sent him the pics) this morning, he agrees, looks like the nitride cylinder flaking. He also said do the SI, change the filter in 5 to 10 hours, for me to borescope #4, and let him know what the Blackstone report says.. That is the plan for now. Lycoming’s SI it really clear on what to do, thankfully…

https://www.lycoming.com/sites/default/files/attachments/Piston%20Pin%20Plug%20Wear%20Inspection.pdf

-Don

[hammdo]

#4 Cylinder -- Bore -Scoped

Sending to the AP -- flew her today after doing this -- she is running strong, no oil burning/leaks -- kinda disappointing but this cylinder does not look healthy to me.  Looking to see if I can get a new one...

 

[hammdo]

New actuator coming for the step - power is getting to it - very odd where it stopped. Will be interesting to find out why this one failed…

-Don

[hammdo]

Ordered a new Cylinder kit and piston pin/plug:

Superior SL36006W-A20P - O-360-A1D
Superior Sl13444-1 Piston Pin/Plugs

from Airparts Inc.  Looks like they'll have them estimated on 12/20/24.  Lycoming kits are backordered still but not sure if they'll have it sooner so figured I'd get this since annual is next month.

Sent pics to AP and he agreed something is amiss with this cylinder.  I'll see if this is still overhaulable but for now -- going new cylinder...

-Don

[hammdo]

Blackstone report pretty much shows what we thought. I’m waiting on the new cylinder and will replace this one completely. I’ll see if it can be overhauled since it is a first run cylinder. While the totals are not crazy high, the trends clearly show rising metal counts. With borescope, filter and oil trend analysis, pretty much calls it…

3/30, 8/28, and 11/14 all show rising numbers. 1/15 was before the cylinder IRAN…

-Don

 

[hammdo]

After talking to the AP, I’ve decided to not fly the plane until I go for annual - not due to airworthiness, but to keep from making more metal. It’s hard not to fly but for the overall health of the engine, better to not over do it.

For Annual, IFR certs, step actuator, new cylinder, quick drain is planned.

After annual, I’ll see about the auto pilot - that is still planned but want to make sure the engine is sound.

-Don

[hammdo]

Whew, new Millennium Cylinder, piston pin/caps/rocker shaft came in!

Thank goodness the shipping was early… couldn't find a lycoming, did find a continental one but not sure about those.  This should solve the issue…

-Don

[hammdo]

Planes at annual now, getting the cylinder replaced, IFR certs, quick drain replaced, electric step actuator replaced. Planning the auto pilot - repriced the Garmin for Mooney and it’s $10,700. Flap Pack AeroCruze 100 is $7100 with STC. 

For now, AeroCruze is it for me. Contacted Duncan today for the status. Will be placing order once I know…

-Don

[hammdo]

Sent paperwork to Duncan - now, waiting for them to let me know next steps. Once I get the details. Will post up…

-Don

[hammdo]

Duncan is shipping out the autopilot today!

Ill take pics of the contents once I get it…

-Don

[hammdo]

Got my FedEx tracking # and should have the Autopilot kit by this Saturday!  Based on that, I'm guessing there isn't any supply chain/delays when ordering!

-Don

[hammdo]

Got it today! Ill have some pics of what came in. Contacted Duncan about the STC certificate to see if i download it…

2 days for delivery!

-Don

[hammdo]

For those curious -- here are the contents in the box from Duncan -- I did email them to see how I get the STC Certification page (from them or Bendix) -- even though the invoice and docs show STC payment:

 

[MikeOH]

Is this okay???

 

[hammdo]

Yes it’s just the aluminum adapter that is part of the Duncan STC installation documents.

-Don

[EricJ]

Wow, that comes from the 19th Ave plant.   I worked there long ago and it's just down the block from DVT where my airplane lives.   Maybe I can pick mine up if they ever decide it's ready.

 

[65MooneyPilot]

Is there a disconnect/CWS switch for the yoke in the kit?

[hammdo]

I don’t recall seeing one but if not that is an inexpensive item that the shop will have. Like AP on/off or circuit breaker - I don’t see in the kit but is often a shop item…

-Don