N2652W will have a new home!

[hammdo]

Water/spring inside the cavern and more :

 

[Danb]

22 hours ago, hammdo said:

Water/spring inside the cavern and more :

 

Looks like my last colonoscopy 

[hammdo]

I spared everyone the several thousand year old bat guano pic ;o)

-Don

[hammdo]

Did the oil and brakes last night -- brakes are super easy with the right tools.  I was able to access the caliper and remove the pads.  Really simple job compared to what I do with the racing setup I have on the Camaro.

Pics of the caliper and the clamp I used to keep the piston in place (also pushing it back in -- slowly after cleaning things up).  The pads were down enough where the wear marks were just about gone -- no sense taking chances.  Cleaned things up with scotchbrite and put the new pads on -- I used 5/32 clecos to hold the pads in place while I set the rivet -- the tool makes removal and install a snap.  Put it all back together and safety wired the bolts -- that took a bit more time ;o).  Having the brake reversal made this a much easier job for me.  I'll test out the brakes and do the burnishing in the next day or so.

Pics:

 

[hammdo]

Burnished the brakes, did some flight testing, all good. Boy, I can really tell the difference new linings make. Pretty easy job, now to do some more training. I need to find me a Mooney CFI just to get a  different set of eyes on me. Rather do that over the Safety Program right now (did take the safety program a couple of years ago). 

-Don

[hammdo]

Stratus layer today and was able to get in 3 IMC nice and stable approaches in. We don’t get those type of stable layers too often during this time of year so was grateful for that. The plane did great, brakes worked perfectly. Post bug cleanup, ready for next trip. Smokies or Branson in a couple of weeks.  Wanting that autopilot — for those x-country trips ;o)… David had the TruTrak wired up already, hard to decide, really only want the auto pilot for the cruise portion of flight. Gonna wait a bit and continue saving up…

Aerox system is in and I’ll get that setup next…

-Don

[hammdo]

Practice approaches with my CFII today - boy was the wind something 360°-100° gusting 35 all over the place — we had to switch runways 3 times due to the changes - clear and a million but wow…

tough under the hood but I managed 3 holds (step down practice too), and 3 approaches.  Plane did great, brakes worked very well. I got beat up a bit with the gusting winds but slowed her down to minimize the bumps. Love flying this plane. I have annual scheduled for January— will need IFR Cet. Saving up for autopilot still. Haven’t decided which one…

-Don

[hammdo]

After some time and research, finally booked a time to get an AeroCruze for my plane. Wanted a Garmin but the Kit/install price for the AeroCruze is about the price of just the Garmin unit not installed. For what I need, the AeroCruze will do it. I’d rather have an autopilot vs waiting another year (2026). I have other plans to get tanks sealed vs patch so I figure I could budget and get things taken care of and still have an autopilot. Going with the flat pack and plans are to mount it above the audio panel. Have to wait until April of next year but this will pretty much complete the Avionics. BTW, just picked up a Dynon D3 Portable as a back up. Going to mount that up soon.

-Don

[gwav8or]

9 minutes ago, hammdo said:

After some time and research, finally booked a time to get an AeroCruze for my plane. Wanted a Garmin but the Kit/install price for the AeroCruze is about the price of just the Garmin unit not installed. For what I need, the AeroCruze will do it. I’d rather have an autopilot vs waiting another year (2026). I have other plans to get tanks sealed vs patch so I figure I could budget and get things taken care of and still have an autopilot. Going with the flat pack and plans are to mount it above the audio panel. Have to wait until April of next year but this will pretty much complete the Avionics. BTW, just picked up a Dynon D3 Portable as a back up. Going to mount that up soon.

-Don

That's awesome!  I've considered the AeroCruze but was under the impression that it was about the same cost as the GFC500 to purchase. I might reconsider now.

[hammdo]

Nope $3000-$3500 difference. I had my avionics shop check. Obviously the Garmin is upgradable (trim servos etc) but for my needs, I don’t mind trimming myself. 
 

I just need a simple autopilot - better than none and still a very capable one…

Basically ~ $10,500 to $11K installed for the AeroCruze

-Don

[hammdo]

Couple of nice vids on TruTrak/AeroCruze:

 

[bigmo]

So are they REALLY happening? I don't follow all the AeroCruze drama threads, but it sounds like they are shipping the right servo brackets, it requires some fabrication, DAR involvement and FSDO approvals??? 

It's indeed a great AP if they are really shipping again with the right install parts. Very pleased with my S-TEC, but if it ever gives up the ghost, I'll just go all new with the AeroCruze.

[hammdo]

Duncan said I can order and get it. My avionics shop said they can get it also. I may wait a bit to see if the new STC gets done first. Once I pull the trigger, I’l let everyone know…

-Don

[hammdo]

Ok talked to my Avionics shop - earliest is April of next year for install. Duncan and I discussed options and suggested I order in around early February - giving time for the updated STC and changes to the install kit to be completed. I’ll look to order end of January to first week of February.

That gives me some time as I didn’t want the warranty period to start too soon. Excited but wish I could have installed this soon but that is the breaks…

-Don

[bigmo]

I really hope that works out for you. These ‘last step’ delays can be super frustrating. I’d not bet the farm just yet on April. You’re definitely not the only one in this boat. Lots of guys sitting on lots of cash outlay and no approved autopilot.

[hammdo]

The Avionics shop is aware of the new design and if needed, we’ll do the field approval/337 - he’s an IA also, works/builds experimentals so hopefully by the time I order, I have both options covered and the unit is good to go either way…

-Don

[hammdo]

Setup my Dynon D3 today -- mounted it on the center post -- like the position and works great.  Viewable for both pilot/co-pilot:

 

 

[hammdo]

Lots of flying lately. Just got back from the Smokies. Plane was doing great . When we landed in Monroe Louisiana, discovered an oil leak. Didn’t need much oil but clearly out of the norm. Everything ran great, oil pressure/ temps all in range. When we landed back at Mesquite, put her in the hanger and decowled and there it is, oil all over the bottom left side and around the #4 cylinder- the one overhauled in January. Hope it is simple since all gaskets/seals were replaced and also all new hardware. I’ll need to wait a bit, get something to clean all the oil off, then use a dye/blacklight to see where it’s coming from. I was on a roll flying too! Annual in 2 months, autopilot in the works then… part of ownership…

-Don

[gwav8or]

On 10/13/2024 at 8:08 PM, hammdo said:

Lots of flying lately. Just got back from the Smokies. Plane was doing great . When we landed in Monroe Louisiana, discovered an oil leak. Didn’t need much oil but clearly out of the norm. Everything ran great, oil pressure/ temps all in range. When we landed back at Mesquite, put her in the hanger and decowled and there it is, oil all over the bottom left side and around the #4 cylinder- the one overhauled in January. Hope it is simple since all gaskets/seals were replaced and also all new hardware. Ill need to wait a bit, get something to clean all the oil off, then use a dye/blacklight to see where it’s coming from. I was on a roll flying too! Annual in 2 months, autopilot in the works then… part of ownership…

-Don

That sounds like my luck.  Been having oil mist on the windshield for several months.  Drives me nuts!  Changed out the main seal and prop O ring and still had oil on the windshield.  Main seal and prop O ring both totally dry.  Looked at the oil return lines and there is oil pooling around the connector on cylinder #1.  Having the oil return lines changed out along with all the fluid hoses while it's in annual. 

Hope you find it and get it fixed quick!

[hammdo]

Yeah, when #4 cylinder was OH, I had all the seals replaced (push rod tubes) and new hardware. I’m going to check the valve cover gasket as that was not replaced, and will be checking the screws on the valve cover. Suspicious since most of the oil is on/around #4…

-Don

[hammdo]

Did a cleanup and inspection today on the oil leak. Before I do the dye, I decided to check the obvious first - found the oil drain hose clamp loose on #4 so I removed the line and cleaned/ retorqued the clamp. Second, I saw a lot of oil below the #4 valve cover so removed it - yep lots of oil on the lower area below the valve cover - both sides of the silicone gasket showed evidence of leaking. Replace the gasket with a new one and follow the new SI from Lycoming:

https://www.lycoming.com/sites/default/files/file/2024-02/SI1588 Rocker Box Cover Screw Torque.pdf

Note the gasket orientation- rounded sections on top for the silicone/cork gasket…

A test flight tomorrow with the dye added just to make sure I got it fixed. Dye will let me know. I made sure the pushrod tube spring was secured - it is - has all new seals, spring clamp, nuts etc.

Oil leak made a real mess but cleaned the engine compartment well. Next the belly will need a good cleaning after confirmation…

-Don

[hammdo]

Well, I guess I was not so lucky -- I did the dye treatment, flew it 1 lap in the pattern -- leaking on #4 pushrod shrouds (both), I can see the oil return tube on #4 very wet (I notice a wear mark on it), oil cooler fittings have leaks, oil quick drain leaking, and the #1 oil return tube is also leaking.  #2 pushrod shroud looks like it has a pin hole leak in the 'kink' area too.

Now, I feel I can do the pushrod shroud seals but, can I do that using Coleal?  I wish I had my AP or and AP locally who could oversee, but that is REALLY hard around here.

I figure I could replace both oil return tubes easily, but the pushrod shrouds (spring, nut, retainer,  seals seem pretty easy (hell, I did my LSA cam, supercharger,etc but, that is not in the air).

Anyway, Pics from the dye and black light -- I had this engine CLEAN and it sure made a mess in 1 run in the pattern.

Thoughts would be appreciated

 

[hammdo]

I’ve ordered all new pushrod shrouds, seals, drain tubes, retainer springs, lock washers, and nuts. I figured since there is obviously leaks in the shrouds and tubes, I might as well do those. 
 

-Don

[Greg Ellis]

@hammdo Quick question....what oil dye did you use for your test run?

Thanks.

[hammdo]

This:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002M4G24U?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
 

works great and is a good one for oil and fuel systems…

I get the 2 pack…

I have 3 black light flashlights too… if you needs some extra eyes or help, let me know…

-Don