N2652W will have a new home!

[hammdo]

Shes back and broke in! Ran strong, had to fix EGT on #4, gear warning needs adjustment but that was it. Flew her back to Mesquite after 3 hours of breakin run. 2 more hours and I’ll change the oil. 
 

2600 RPM, touch of carb heat, cowl flaps closed…

[gwav8or]

  On 2/21/2025 at 7:49 PM, hammdo said:

Shes back and broke in! Ran strong, had to fix EGT on #4, gear warning needs adjustment but that was it. Flew her back to Mesquite after 3 hours of breakin run. 2 more hours and I’ll change the oil. 
 

2600 RPM, touch of carb heat, cowl flaps closed…

 

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Glad to hear she's back in the air Don!  I know it's been more than a month (and probably seemed like 6) but that has to be the quickest "rebuild" of an engine i've ever seen!  Congrats!

[hammdo]

It was fast, having most of the new parts already helped too. Most accessories were either overhauled/IRAN already, did the new mechanical fuel pump (bleed-off is real slow now) while the engine was off. With all the new stuff, she should be in great shape. I’m still scheduled for AutoPilot in April - that will pretty much finish off the avionics. I have 3 other things I want to do, the controls in the aft section of the tail, prop balance, and fuel tanks - once the AutoPilot is done. I’ll put some hours on the engine for a while before launching out or doing anything else…

-Don

[hammdo]

Another break in flight today - almost 2 hours - lost the alternator due to broken connector so cut it short. Found the broken connector and will fix it tomorrow. Gotta figure this will happen since all the removal/installing of the older connectors. 
 

Takeoff, cylinders 1 and 4 were hottest but once I got moving they tamed down well. Had to add a quart of mineral oil and will be monitoring that. Planning on flight tomorrow after fixing the broken connector.

-Don

[hammdo]

Pics…

 

[hammdo]

Alternator fixed! Did another break in flight today - getting closer. It appears the transponder is not squawking (ATC said noting is showing up). I’m guessing the antenna cable popped off or the connector is having issues. Talked to the shop and I’ll be bringing it in for diagnostics.

-Don

 

[LANCECASPER]

  On 2/24/2025 at 2:19 AM, hammdo said:

Alternator fixed! Did another break in flight today - getting closer. It appears the transponder is not squawking (ATC said noting is showing up). I’m guessing the antenna cable popped off or the connector is having issues. Talked to the shop and I’ll be bringing it in for diagnostics.

-Don

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They might have just forgot to connect it when the put the belly back on. I've done that once or twice.

[hammdo]

Yep, gonna pull the one piece and check it…

Appreciate the idea to check…

-Don

[hammdo]

Antenna was hooked up. Ran the GDL 8X program on my PC, all settings lost in the GDL 82. Checked with the shop before doing anything. We’re going to see if a factory reset will get it ready to reconfigure but, that appears to be why I lost ADS-B and transponder transmissions.

-Don

[hammdo]

Yep, GDL 82 is bricked, nothing is recognizable.  Gonna bypass the  unit so at least the transponder can be tested. Really curious why it bricked… shop is checking with Garmin, shop hasn't seen this before…

-Don

[hammdo]

Transponder went out again. Not the best of luck for sure but when it rains sometimes it pours…

hoping to get a working 327 while mine is repaired again by garmin… this repair lasted just over 4 years…

-Don

[hammdo]

Got a loaner from the shop - seems this is not unusual for the GTX 327. Mine lasted 4 years since the last Garmin repair. This one totally died…Auto Pilot is gonna have to wait a bit…

Got to fly a couple of hours so more engine break in. In 6 hours total so far, added 1 quart so it’s stabilizing…

-Don

[hammdo]

Just changed the oil after 6 hours of break in (tach time) and oil consumption has slowed for sure. Filter showed magnetic and non magnetic metal flakes — not a lot but obviously break in material. I am doing another 5 hours of break in with Phillips 20w50 mineral oil then I’ll change it and start using Phillips 20w50 X/C with up to 10% of Phillips 20w50 anti-rust additive - per Phillips recommendation. Then the next oil change after that I’ll start oil analysis…

So far, still waiting on transponder…

-Don