Opinions on a M20J

[bradp]

Hi All,

 

After my first post here almost two years ago I am about ready to place an offer on a west coast late 70's M20J.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to go look at this plane in person, but have full copies of the logs, and have chatted with the A&P on a couple of occasions.  George Perry and Parker have been kind enough to help me out with looking at (and avoiding) another J, but 

 

The owner was kind enough to send me some photos of a couple of key areas I had asked about (namely looking down the empennage, and some photos up each of the gear wells).  Things I noticed are that the control actuator tubes are a bit browned and there is some discoloration to the zinc chromate on the floor of the empennage.  With regard to the gear wells, there is peeling, and in some spots chipped paint on areas of the main gear.  What I wish I had that I don't is a photo straight on looking toward the main spar caps.  

 

My questions for the collective wisdom of the group are 1) is there anything that can be seen that would constitute a show stopper / deal breaker? 2) are the areas of chipped paint along gear well rivet seams consistent with where a (now fully stripped and resealed) fuel tank may have previously leaked from? 3) This airplane has no reference to 208A/B having ever been completed in the logbook.  It may have original insulation, but has been hangared all of its life and has no history of window leaks.  The current A/P (owner's) assures me that he has inspected the tubular frame of this plane (but it ain't on paper, so it don't count).  Clearly the tubular frame is something that should be looked at prebuy/annual.  The MSC I plan to bring the plane to for prebuy / annual is Top Gun and Mark says that he as a matter of routine looks at the lower parts of tubular frame from the belly inspection panels on his prebuys.  

 

How worried should I be about original insulation holding moisture for the last 30 odd years?  

 

Photos here:  http://mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?action=gallery&userGallery=1437¤tAlbum=759

 

Thank you all.  I apprecaite all your experience and your willingness to share.

 

Brad

[Vref]

Why didn't your A/P took pictures of the frame when it was open..? From a seventies bird you may expect some mild corrosion.

The fibreglass insulation is a pain, and is better replaced, The Pilot lower side is the most suspected part......

However looking at our pictures the primer still looks good inside!

Anyway on a 30 year old plane there is always a certain risk factor to budget for.........Hve the left lower panle pulled and you will have a piece of mind....Fuel leaks are visible with blue, brown strains....

rgds

Luc

[Cruiser]

I bought my M20J sight unseen. I felt the money was better spent on a knowledgeable MSC that would give me a thorough and complete analysis of the plane. Talk with your prebuy mechanic and make sure he understands what you want. His eyes are better than yours for this work.

If you like the color, interior and panel there is not much more you can gain yourself. Concentrate on an agreement between you and the seller for issues identified by the prebuy. There are always going to be issues.

Good Luck!

[schule]

A new to me F was taken apart at annual by Maxwell's and they found original insulation with some corrison on 2 tubes.  The price and delay were not cheap.

I first got serious about purchasing a Mooney while in Iraq 2009.  There was another pilot serving on the staff who had a mid-70s pre-J and ran into over $15k in corrison repairs.  The final cost was such that his love for flying the Mooney was extenguished and it was sold.  He was the one who convinced me that the SB 208 inspection is very important.

I did buy my plane sight unseen, but only because a lot of research and hands-on inputs by some very experienced Mooniacs reduced the risk to a point were my actual inspection of the aircraft would add no significant value.  

If it is a west coast bird there are several shops which could help assess the risk.  There are no show stoppers only an acceptable level of financial risk you are willing to take.

Good luck.

-Mark

[John Pleisse]

Pic 7 and pic 22 show the same kind of light surface, powdery corrosion. So it is both inside and outside of the AC. My wings (unprotected-no chromate) have the same light powdery film, which is typical, but doesn't progress over time. And without the 208A-B completed, I would scrutinze. You could dismiss the tail cone staining and powdery film, etc as battery gas, but that is beyond acceptable considering the pooling stains on the bottom (near becon wiring).

My 201 is a '79, 4000 TT, 5 owner AC that spent extensive time in Daytona Bch and Georgia (about as conducive to corrosion as it gets) and my tail cone doesn't look anything like that. Lot's of nice J's for sale under $90k these days.