Jhj123 Posted October 23, 2020 Report Posted October 23, 2020 Just got an initial PPI report on an aircraft. Three main issues: -Wing root to fuselage surface corrosion. -A couple of wear holes in fairings. -Small fuel seepage left wing. It’s an 88 M20J. I’m concerned about the corrosion I know it’s a 32 year old airplane but thought it was best to get some expert Mooney drivers to comment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
Ragsf15e Posted October 23, 2020 Report Posted October 23, 2020 Someone more experienced will give you a good answer, but here’s a couple thoughts... the fuel leak looks like it’s either at the sump drain or through a bolt/screw. Those leaks are usually pretty easy to fix. Like real easy. No guarantees on the tanks long term, but that one wouldn’t scare me. Does the cabin smell like fuel at all? Look for blue stains near the floor under pilot and copilot windows. The corrosion... did the shop doing the ppi look under it to make sure it’s only on the surface? Under the wing/fuselage joint are the wing attach bolts and they often get a little light surface corrosion, but I’d want to know. Also, did the shop give an idea of cost to repair it? That would definitely be included in the further negotiations you need to have. Im not sure about the wear holes, but I’d want to know price for new/repair and I’d take that into account. The ppi protects you from buying something that isn’t airworthy, but it also gives you the ability to renegotiate if there are significant non-airworthiness issues. Worst case you reduce your offer by $1,000 and the buyer walks. You’re out the inspection cost but at least you don’t have to fix an airplane that hasn’t been cared for. At this point, the buyer is unlikely to walk if you renegotiate in good faith. Quote
Guest Posted October 24, 2020 Report Posted October 24, 2020 There is a small company in Quebec that makes those lower wing fairings for about $110US. Clarence Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted October 24, 2020 Report Posted October 24, 2020 The fairings appear to be fiberglass. They can be repaired. The vacuformed ones, not so much. Either way you need to rig the gear goors so they don't wear out the fairings. I had corrosion like that on my old plane. The shop I worked with, had a combination blaster/vacuum cleaner loaded with plastic beads. After blasting it, the corrosion didn't look like much at all. Sprayed it with Zinc Chromate (RIP), painted it and you couldn't tell that it wasn't brand new. Just don't let it go. It looks like mostly filiform corrosion. There may be some intergranular corrosion. I would clean it and do a dye penetrant check. It should show if it is intergranular. Quote
Jhj123 Posted October 24, 2020 Author Report Posted October 24, 2020 24 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said: The fairings appear to be fiberglass. They can be repaired. The vacuformed ones, not so much. Either way you need to rig the gear goors so they don't wear out the fairings. I had corrosion like that on my old plane. The shop I worked with, had a combination blaster/vacuum cleaner loaded with plastic beads. After blasting it, the corrosion didn't look like much at all. Sprayed it with Zinc Chromate (RIP), painted it and you couldn't tell that it wasn't brand new. Just don't let it go. It looks like mostly filiform corrosion. There may be some intergranular corrosion. I would clean it and do a dye penetrant check. It should show if it is intergranular. thats what the A&P said, filliform. Illl ask him to check for Intergranular. Thanks Quote
carusoam Posted October 24, 2020 Report Posted October 24, 2020 Hard to tell, but that doesn’t look like the right fuel sump drain... The corrosion is typical Filiform, spreading under the paint... it is a surface corrosion... but, it’s got a good head start... Check every surface closely for the same thing... it is possible the paint is failing allowing for the corrosion to take place... Looks like that faring got ground down, somehow...? screws on inspection panels are typically an easy fix... PP thoughts only, not a mechanic... Best regards, -a- Quote
Jhj123 Posted October 24, 2020 Author Report Posted October 24, 2020 He looked behind the panel in the first bay but could not find any corrosion so thinks it’s surface only. Can’t see any further as it’s riveted on and isn’t wanting to drill through. The panel with corrosion. BaySent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote
Guest Posted October 25, 2020 Report Posted October 25, 2020 (edited) That picture makes more sense. The way to fix it correctly, is to drill out enough rivets to open the fairing to allow cleaning up the corrosion and then applying primer and paint. Acetone will remove the old fuel residue, so you can see how bad the leaks are. Clarence Edited October 25, 2020 by M20Doc Quote
carusoam Posted October 28, 2020 Report Posted October 28, 2020 Jhj, Time to work on the focus for your pics... You will get better help this way... Most cameras need you touch the image at the point of importance, before clicking the button... Can be really hard to do in some tight spaces... focus before you send the camera in may help... Best regards, -a- Quote
Jhj123 Posted October 29, 2020 Author Report Posted October 29, 2020 Yeah, my apologies, the pics were sent by the A&P. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.