Acceptable Prop Condition

[Txbyker]

I had my non-leaking 20J prop resealed last August because of age, not so much because of condition.  It was done by a very reputable shop.  I also have a local reputable and anal A&P that does stuff that I need done because of time or convienience.  He got a look at my prop and thinks it needs to be pulled, painted, filed, balanced, resealed.  It does not have a McCauley sticker on it and he says it should. 

Now I am a bit anal too and am thinking about pulling it and making it like new but here goes some more $s.  The biggest thing is the leading edge nicks and the lack of paint on the backside.  Does anyone know how to determine if you need a total overhaul if the prop is not leaking?

 

[jetdriven]

It was resealed last August and your A&P wants it resealed again?   Based on missing decals? What's the definition of airworthy?

Ours is going on 12 years since new.  A few months ago I stripped, filed, and repainted the prop, then had it dynamically balanced.  The local prop shop wouldn't touch it.

 

[Bolter]

Quote: jetdriven

It was resealed last August and your A&P wants it resealed again?   Based on missing decals? What's the definition of airworthy?

Ours is going on 12 years since new.  A few months ago I stripped, filed, and repainted the prop, then had it dynamically balanced.  The local prop shop wouldn't touch it.

 

[Txbyker]

No my MSC did the reseal at annual a few months ago, but my local A&P thinks it needs to be fully overhauled.  I asked for a reseal at annual a few months ago which he had done but they did not repaint it.

My local guy says it needs filing, repainting, balanced and stickered.  I have been told it must have the manufacturer sticker post overhaul. Its not leaking but he thinks it might be out of balance and of course the edges need filing.  

I am wondering what physical appearance dictates the need for a full overhaul.  

[Immelman]

There was a recent article by Mike Busch in the EAA magazine a couple months back. I don't have it in front of me but I would find it and read it if I were in your shoes as he discusses this very predicament.

As far as prop servicing goes, my IA inspects, dresses nicks, and paints the backs of the prop blades at annual. Prop removal is not required for this service. I'd say that this is usually less than half an hour labor, spinner R&R not included.

[jetdriven]

Dan, The prop shop would not file or repaint it for me. They said it was unairworthy because it was past 6 years.  WTF ever.  So I did it myself.

Russ: You can get those stickers for 1.50 at RD Propeller. Thats no reason to tear down and reseal a propeller.  You can get it dynamically balanced. If thats all of his reasoning "I think it needs....."   doesnt sound logical.  Is it leaking? Malfunctioning?

[MARZ]

Last year my EC inspection came due on hours - called a couple shops - said they wouldn't do it due to the years in service since overhaul.  I wound up pulling the prop and taking it to a local shop - the gentleman there looked at the prop log and discovered that he had overhauled it the last time.  Wound up that they did not recommend another overhaul without getting into it - left it for a reseal (as I did have some evidence of grease slinging)  

From what I learned - the reseal takes the assembly to the point that an overhaul requirement can be determined.  So at the end of the day - an EC and Reseal is all I needed - next EC can be done at my location for an add on of $100 travel.

 

 As far as paint and such I don't have any background on that.  

[KSMooniac]

Time for a new mechanic IMO.

[bnicolette]

Mine is also coming up on 12 years since new (600 hrs) and there are no problems with it. (That I know of).  It gets dressed every annual.

[Lionudakis]

Same prop shop I deal with. I was told last time I had a prop issue, It's illegal if it's passed tbo, and I'm putting my license on the line everytime I annual a plane that has a prop out of TBO.

You guys are all flying behind illegal propellers !   (sarcasm)

[M016576]

Quote: KSMooniac

Time for a new mechanic IMO.

[MARZ]

Quote: jetdriven

   Based on missing decals? What's the definition of airworthy?

 

 

Saw this one at Ellington - kinda blows the decal argument out the door.....

[Hank]

A-ha! You caught him using shiny paint, trying to cover up a prop strike!!

No wonder it's not airworthy . . .

Aren't TBO on props like TBO on engines, "Not Applicable" for us Part 91 folks, and to be taken as recommendations only???

[N601RX]

Quote: txbyker

I had my non-leaking 20J prop resealed last August because of age, not so much because of condition.  It was done by a very reputable shop.  I also have a local reputable and anal A&P that does stuff that I need done because of time or convienience.  He got a look at my prop and thinks it needs to be pulled, painted, filed, balanced, resealed.  It does not have a McCauley sticker on it and he says it should. 

Now I am a bit anal too and am thinking about pulling it and making it like new but here goes some more $s.  The biggest thing is the leading edge nicks and the lack of paint on the backside.  Does anyone know how to determine if you need a total overhaul if the prop is not leaking?

 

[jwilkins]

Unless there is more to this story; new mechanic +3

Any AP can dress the prop. You can repaint it; I llike the epoxy prop paint it seems to last longer. Stickers? I'd like to see the requirement for it in writing. Sounds like "cat rules" to me. (cats have thier own rigid rules that only they understand)

If there were deep nicks which required extensive filing it is probably a good idea to get it checked at a prop shop.At my previous home field the old timer AP filed down a prop nick so much that the blades were condemned. It's hanging on my friends wall now.  

Potential cracks are nothing to fool around with. If there is a reason to get it checked by a prop shop, do it. Time in service with no problems is not a justification for an O/H IMO. 

I have never heard of a requirement for manufacturers stickers on the blades. IMO it's just advertising.

If the mechanic thinks the prop is out of balance I would get it balanced.

I am not a mechanic but in the process of working with several over the years I have learned to cautiously listen and ask more questions when I don't understand. The guys that get defensive I stop supporting.

 

[garytex]

By the numbers, (but i can't remember whose), IO-360 A1A engines have a slightly higher incidence of throwing prop tips at nick induced stress riser cracks.  The theory is that 50 hp per cylinder pulses on the crank need more dampening.  So it is definitly worth curing the nicks.  But maybe not the way your mechanic has proposed.

Maybe maropers might pm you his prop shop, it is here in Texas somewhere, if he thinks you would get the same treatment he did.

Good Luck

Gary 

[Vref]

Quote: maropers

[Txbyker]

I had my prop overhauled completely and got it back today.  Great job and it looks brand new and will go back on tomorrow.

On the nose cone retainer that the actual nose bolts to, on one side of it is a screw that is holding a stack of about 5 large washers and a few small ones.  The A&P told me that is where someone had the prop dynamically balanced in the past.  It is kinda like a stick on wheel weight to balance your car tire.  My new prop is balanced.  Can you see any reason to retain this weighting that was done in the past?  There is nothing in my propeller log book about putting those weights on there and the last full overhaul was in 2000.

[Shadrach]

Quote: txbyker

I had my prop overhauled completely and got it back today.  Great job and it looks brand new and will go back on tomorrow.

On the nose cone retainer that the actual nose bolts to, on one side of it is a screw that is holding a stack of about 5 large washers and a few small ones.  The A&P told me that is where someone had the prop dynamically balanced in the past.  It is kinda like a stick on wheel weight to balance your car tire.  My new prop is balanced.  Can you see any reason to retain this weighting that was done in the past?  There is nothing in my propeller log book about putting those weights on there and the last full overhaul was in 2000.

[Bolter]

Quote: Vref