N2652W will have a new home!

[Fly Boomer]

1 hour ago, 47U said:

To keep the smoke in? 

(Sorry… I couldn’t resist.)

Seriously, sealing the rivet won’t keep the two assemblies the rivet is fastening together from movement against each other, or the rivet, whichever is the case causing the smoke.  The rivet should be drilled out and reshot.

I did some research this afternoon, and you have just confirmed what I read about ten times.

[hammdo]

Went out tonight and filled the plane -- happy to report 0 leaks from the rivets I sealed but did find 3 more that are just slightly seeping.

I'll strip that area tomorrow and do the whole row just to cover my bases:

Still, not bad for a quick seal job...

-Don

 

[hammdo]

Flew her tonight to get the fuel down. Started the stripping of the rivets. The plan is to do all rivets on both rows to ensure I get a good seal on those.  I'll do the same process as the last rivets.  Once I'm sure those are sealed well, I'll strip the rest and do a new wing-walk.  BTW, I did put down 3M aluminum tape on the areas where I don't want the stripper (like next to the white paint and the area closes to the fuselage.

-Don

[hammdo]

Tonight, I did the scraping, cleaning, alumiprep/alodine, then sealing of the rivets.  Pics below but looks like I got all those exposed rivets....

Will test out Friday or Saturday to see if I need to do any touchups -- then, I'll do the wing-walk...

-Don

[hammdo]

Success!  Filled the tanks tonight and verified no seeps!  I'll take her flying tomorrow and Sunday to make sure.  I ordered Wing Walk to redo the 'wing walk' so that will be fresh.  We'll see how long this lasts but I'm hopeful since the permatex #3 seems to hold up well....

-Don

[hammdo]

Did some IFR practice approaches today, great day to fly. Wing Walk came in so that is next. I’m going to pull the right fuel sender this week while doing the wing walk and send it for overhaul. I’ll get the tank lower on the right side before doing all of that. Plane flew great. Just added 1 qt of oil after 10 hours. I’m happy with that. StormScope worked great as we had some build ups during our flight. I was able to see the activity on the scope - nice to have that working again…

-Don

[hammdo]

Removed the right side fuel sender and its on the way to Air Parts (Lock Haven).  I did take an ohm meter and notice how erratic the signal was however, the constant full reading was due to the unit not grounded.  I tested that part before shipping it out and sure enough, it would move from full to about 1/4 tank.  Should take about 10 days total to get the overhauled one back -- yes, this one looks like it was overhauled already but I want to be safe here...

Pics of the sender:

 

[hammdo]

Insurance renewal was coming up. Parker tried for a month but no joy. Went to Avemco, 15 minutes later got full coverage/liability ($72000 hull, 0 deductible) and saved $1000 over last years liability only policy. Go figure.

Looks like if I keep doing the wings/training thing, fly/train with my CFI often, do yearly flight review, I should be good for quite a while. Looks like I’ll stick with Avemco…

-Don

[hammdo]

While waiting for the sender to come back -- did an initial patch on the wing-walk with Ultra Wing Walk.  I first alumipreped, alodined, sealed the rivets, then etched primer the bare aluminum. Applied the first patch of material (brushed on) in order to get a good first coat (did the first patch on Wednesday):

 

[hammdo]

Today, I used the roller as the brushed on was a bit 'light' on application -- turned out much better. Removed the taped areas, cleaned any excess and now looks much better (still a bit 'glossy' for me -- probably could have used herculiner):

 

[hammdo]

Well , got some ugh, ‘great’ news:

Saved $1k on insurance for the year but hanger rent went up $1200 a year ($100 a month)…

can’t catch a break…

oh well…

-Don

[hammdo]

So, while I’m waiting for the fuel sender, I’m building an electric towbar (hanger only). I’m taking the easy route and should have ~$1k in it. Should take about an hour or so to build.

im getting old and the knees and back are starting to ‘feel the burn’ so figured now’s the time while I have a break…

Should have everything by Tuesday….

Pics to come soon….

Don

 

[gwav8or]

14 hours ago, hammdo said:

So, while I’m waiting for the fuel sender, I’m building an electric towbar (hanger only). I’m taking the easy route and should have ~$1k in it. Should take about an hour or so to build.

im getting old and the knees and back are starting to ‘feel the burn’ so figured now’s the time while I have a break…

Should have everything by Tuesday….

Pics to come soon….

Don

 

Please do update on the towbar.  I'd like to build one myself.  Thanks and really enjoy watching the progress on your Mooney!

[Sabremech]

On 9/29/2023 at 8:03 PM, hammdo said:

Well , got some ugh, ‘great’ news:

Saved $1k on insurance for the year but hanger rent went up $1200 a year ($100 a month)…

can’t catch a break…

oh well…

-Don

I hate to say it again Don, but just another reason I’m out of owning and flying airplanes. Glad 52W is in good hands though. 
David

[hammdo]

It’s been crazy the ups and downs with hanger, maintenance, and insurance. Part of ownership for sure but renting, been there done that. Paying for the plane sitting while renting adds up too.

-Don

[hammdo]

My electric ‘towbar’ came in — 2 more parts due tomorrow but, this will give you the general idea:

Should do the job well…

[Fly Boomer]

42 minutes ago, hammdo said:

My electric ‘towbar’ came in — 2 more parts due tomorrow but, this will give you the general idea:

Should do the job well…

Keep us posted.  I have a tug, but it's a little bit lightweight.  I'll be interested to know how this turns out.

[hammdo]

You don’t have to wait! I got the idea from below video:

-Don

[hammdo]

Man, service and supply chain issues -- talked to Airparts about my sender today -- they are backlogged ~7 days.  So, it looks like mine won't be done until end of this week or early next week.  I see why folks having work done have to wait so long.

These shops are being inundated with work.  My initial callup to them stated 3 day turnaround -- that shows just how busy (or talent starved) these shops are.

At least that has given me time to get the towbar going.  Lucky, the plane is in my hanger...

-Don

[hammdo]

Sender is on its way! $304 for overhaul with gasket and shipping. Getting itchy to get her back in the air. Addressing all of the items as they come up helps manage cost over the year.

I’ll get this installed, tested and confirmed no leaks, then re-assemble everything.

Hoping to have the sender this weekend or Monday…

-Don

[hammdo]

Well, fuel sender came in today from FedEx!  Didn't know they delivered on Sundays -- anyway, got the sender installed (using AN3-4 bolts instead of the screws), ran a ground, added a 'hand-shake' or knife connector per the updated instructions from Air Parts, verified the gauge then had the fuel truck fill it up while I inspected the gauge and sender -- no leaks and the gauge works as expected!.

I did torque the bolts to 20in lbs per instructions -- not a fan of the way the rubber gasket expanded but followed the instructions  Did put tite-seal on the gasket (thin layer both sides).  Buttoned up and gonna take it for a maintenance flight in the next couple of days before my next trip.

BTW $275 to overhaul now…

NOTE the new part number 610242-001

Fuel Sender Pics below:

 

[hammdo]

The tow bar -- got it all together and tested it out -- I need to 'extend' the Mooney tow-bar handle about 2 ft or so to give the tug better traction.  The current length causes the motorized tow bar to jump and skid so I'll need to adjust that.

Here is it assembled:

 

[hammdo]

Gauge has been working well, flew to the smokies and back. Visited Dollywood, Cades Cove, and Gatlinburg. Plane flew great, 1 qt of oil needed. Dealt with 50-60 knot winds but overall, she did great.

oil change coming up and will do a check out of the engine compartment.

Gas and keeping up the maintenance is keeping her going strong. Now, saving up for an autopilot….

-Don

[hammdo]

Checked out the Mooney after getting back from the Smokies. Looks good.

Replaced the Insight OAT sensor (was erratic), will need oil change in a couple of hours, found left fuel tank seeping in the wheel well so I’ll plan on a patch at Maxwells next year. Annual due in January so right now I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. Right fuel gauge is working perfectly.

Plan is still to do an autopilot next but I’ll keep current on IFR while saving up…

-Don

[hammdo]

Purchased control yoke to have them done in leather. A local shop does that so the plan is to prime/etch them before hand. I have bolts for them so when I go for annual, I have them do the 500 hr shaft AD. 

These are in great shape…