Martin S. Posted September 13, 2020 Report Share Posted September 13, 2020 (edited) Dear everybody, my search for a Mooney brought me to a new candidate, 1978 M20j. Last owner for 35 years, Always hangered, 1300h, prestine wheel wells, only VFR, tube structure re-painted, fair price. So far so good. My questions: Inspecting the bird on the main spar below the rear seat, I found these white powdery spots. I'm a little hesitant. Is this something common, that I could easily clean/avoid from getting any worse - or a walkawayer? Thanks for your advises. Martin from Munich, Germany Edited September 13, 2020 by Martin Stolle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynimmo Posted September 13, 2020 Report Share Posted September 13, 2020 Every inch of our planes are subject to corrosion....and it is difficult for me to understand what is acceptable, and what is a “no go”....from looking at your picture, my opinion is that this isn’t that bad.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtVandelay Posted September 13, 2020 Report Share Posted September 13, 2020 I’d take a plastic scrubbing pad and scrub it to see how deep it goes, if at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriscalandro Posted September 13, 2020 Report Share Posted September 13, 2020 Looks like it’s pretty minor. See if you can scotch brite it clean. If yes, double check the whole thing, and if that’s the only spot and it cleaned up go ahead and move forward. if it doesn’t clean up, move on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricJ Posted September 13, 2020 Report Share Posted September 13, 2020 As others have said, if it's just a surface issue it's not a big deal, and it may not even be corrosion. Also, that's not in one of the areas that's more of a concern, which is not to downplay it, just that it isn't the intergranular or exfoliating corrosion that is much more difficult to deal with. Definitely get somebody knowledgeable to put actual eyes on it if it is still a question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted September 13, 2020 Report Share Posted September 13, 2020 Pretty good pics, Martin... So.... Corrosion is one of those things that needs to be taken care of quickly... As it can spread quickly once it has started... The different types of corrosion have different types of seriousness involved... In the case of surface corrosion, it can be a simple clean and paint.... When it is part of a structural device, it gets more serious... clean and measure the depth of the corrosion... Since this plane belongs to somebody else... don’t accidentally buy it, hoping the issues are easy to solve... Hope and wishful thinking make a terrible flight plan... Find somebody familiar with aluminum corrosion... if the corrosion is more than skin deep... Many planes have corrosion issues... this is not particularly a Mooney issue... PP thoughts only, not a mechanic... Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PT20J Posted September 17, 2020 Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 Have a knowledgeable mechanic look at it. Do you really want to make a decision about a significant expenditure based on social media evaluations? Heck, we might all be Russian trolls 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZuluZulu Posted September 17, 2020 Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 19 hours ago, PT20J said: Have a knowledgeable mechanic look at it. Do you really want to make a decision about a significant expenditure based on social media evaluations? Heck, we might all be Russian trolls Хорошо сказано товарищ! 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PT20J Posted September 17, 2020 Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 4 minutes ago, ZuluZulu said: Хорошо сказано товарищ! да! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin S. Posted September 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2020 Thanks for the answers so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin S. Posted September 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2020 (edited) On 9/17/2020 at 3:36 AM, PT20J said: Have a knowledgeable mechanic look at it. Do you really want to make a decision about a significant expenditure based on social media evaluations? Heck, we might all be Russian trolls Had a mechanic look at it. But believe it or not - There far less ga-specific knowledge in Europe than in the US. That‘s why I appreciate comments from here. Imagine you feel like buying this super rare Porsche model and you live somewhere remotely in Idaho - thats how it is. Your right - I won‘t base decisions on these only Greets, Martin Edited September 18, 2020 by Martin Stolle 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin S. Posted September 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, Hyett6420 said: Hi Martin It doesn't look too bad, BUT it does need to get looked at. If that is the only issue you have found on your walk around perhaps its time to get a Mooney knowledgeable mechanic look at it and do a PPI. Yes it will cost you a little money, but save you a fortune in the long run. Your comments about GA mechanics in Europe is sort of true but there are a few who know their widgets form their wodgets. Where is the plane you are looking at, I assume close by. I use Aeroskill Mastenbroek for all my Mooney stuff, and they are very good and knowledgeable. They call a spade a spade and wont sign something off unless they are happy with it, even if you are, in that respect they are very Germanic and Dutch! Give them a call, send them the pictures and see what they say. If its nothing to worry about and you are happy with the rest, get them to do a Pre Purchase Inspection. Andrew, to answer the question - the plane is in Bavaria. Current owner is a retired - A&P. Fun fact, his shop was a MSC. Unfortunately, he didn´t accept to bring the bird elsewhere for a pre-buy, but offered me to use his tools and bring another guy to have a look. Had that guy come to have a look. Lifted the rear bench and checked for corrosion at the spar splice. Plus I browsed my cam to check the tubes. See pics. Thats what I did. Thought that would be quite some data already for judging the freshness of the plane. Greets, Martin Edited September 18, 2020 by Martin Stolle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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