How often doyou open the cowling between annuals ?

[OR75]

The thread on "need a new light" had some comments on whether you need to open the cowling between annuals. Removing the lower part can be a pain, especially if you are alone to do it. 

It triggers the following question on how often do you open the cowling between annual to change the oil or just to look.

There were several instance when opening  the cowling I found something that needed to be fixed (nothing major): broken electric wire, some chaffing, etc ...

 

[MooneyMitch]

Frequently. 

On the E model, it's actually quite simple to remove the side cowling panels and that offers excellent sight availbility within the lower compartment.  Our E has the dog house style upper baffling system which makes upper deck inspection a bit more time consuming but, for me it's certainly worth the peace of mind I derive from knowing all is well.  I don't see the need to drop the lower cowling for my frequent inspections, and yes that is not the most fun thing to do

The R model is a piece of cake for cowling removal and a look around.  For me, it takes about 10 minutes total to remove both upper and lower cowl enclosures and viola............it's all right there for a good inspection. 

[danb35]

This year, I'll be putting 250-300 hours on the plane between annuals, so there will be a number of oil changes, compliance with the 100-hour Lycoming AD on fuel injection lines, etc.  I don't open the cowling just for the fun of it, though.

[Hank]

I open mine whenever I see anything funny, removing top/left/right sides as necessary.

I also remove all three at every oil change. Left cheek to drain the pan; right cheek to put drain under the filter; top to replace the filter.

I drop the bottom to change landing lights. The next one will be Whelen Parmetheus LED.

[flight2000]

When I was home, I was taking everything off at least once a week (I was flying 4-6 hours a week before I left).  I was a helicopter mechanic before I was commisioned and if nothing else, it engrained in my head the need to check critical componants for loose nuts and bolts.  Thankfully, my E has camlocs and takes about 5 minutes to remove the cowling.    Maybe I'm weird, but I like knowing everything is still secure, not chaffing, and where it should be.

If I had my friends 65E, that would be a different story because his is held in place by a thousand screws (or so it seems...)

Brian

[Bill_Pyles]

I have flown my J 100 hrs in the last year and the cowling has been off about 6 times or approximately every 17 hrs.

One time when the engine was idling roughly, I found the #3 intake tube to have come adrift completely, so now I check the fasteners for the intake and exhaust tubes and anything else that looks important!

[AmigOne]

I change the oil every 30 hrs so I open the whole cowling at least 3 times a year plus another couple of times just to check things out, specially  to find out out how the spark plugs look.  I would not feel right if I did it any less, besides in my C model is very easy to just remove the sides and that gives me a good look at most of the engine.

 

 

 

[Lood]

I open up just about everytime I intend on doing a 2 - 3 hour cross country flight.

[yvesg]

Hi guys,

I will do my first oil change soon on a recently acquired 65 M20C. Any tricks would be welcome on how to prevent doing an oil mess when I remove the oil filter? I have taken out the side cowling to view where it is and it seems to be kind of difficult to access.

 

Regards,

 

Yves from Ottawa

C-FQKM

 

[OR75]

if you find a trick for a no mess oil change let me know !!!

My recommendation is to have plenty of paper towels with you and to cover the front tire so it won't get oil all over ...

 

[OR75]

if you find a trick for a no mess oil change let me know !!!

My recommendation is to have plenty of paper towels with you and to cover the front tire so it won't get oil all over ...

 

[Oscar Avalle]

I open it rather often.  Just to check that everything is OK

[The-sky-captain]

Quote: OR75

if you find a trick for a no mess oil change let me know !!!

My recommendation is to have plenty of paper towels with you and to cover the front tire so it won't get oil all over ...

 

[OR75]

no mess at the oil drain is not an issue but at the spin on filter it is.  i need to look into that new pig funnel.

Definitely deviating from OP but I am impressed you also access the suction screen. How do you safety wire it back !!

[jnisley]

I take the side panels off and do a visual inspection using a flashlight either before or after most cross country flights. It takes 5 minutes or so. 

[The-sky-captain]

Quote: OR75

no mess at the oil drain is not an issue but at the spin on filter it is.  i need to look into that new pig funnel.

Definitely deviating from OP but I am impressed you also access the suction screen. How do you safety wire it back !!

[AmigOne]

Pig funnel, pricey but I guess beats cleanning the mess i make no matter how much paper towel I place under the filter.  No issues with the quick drain, just get a long hose.   Here is a video on the funnel

  http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/filter-funnel-pig-form-a-funnel-draining-tool-large-22267.aspx?src=T12WSHOP1

 

 

[DaV8or]

I actually wish I could get my plane settle down so I didn't have to take the cowl off. There seems to always be some reason to yank the cowl and have a look. I can't image not looking frequently as these engines are always beating themselves to death. I just found two new oil leaks in just the last 8 flight hours.   I'm not impressed with reliability, nor can I be foolish enough to absolutely trust these engines enough to not have a look rather often.

[DaV8or]

Here's how to change oil without spilling a drop. First get a quick release oil drain you can put a hose on and then build this for under $10-

 

[jamesm]

Like a snowflakes all being different ( so they say). I can never change my oil same way every time doesn't seem to matter which technique I use. I am jealous of those you that can  change oil and oil filter  without spilling a drop. I tried similar technique using  a piece of angle iron ( in my case it was aluminum ) for the oil filter I haven't perfected that technique yet.

[flight2000]

Quote: DaV8or

I actually wish I could get my plane settle down so I didn't have to take the cowl off. There seems to always be some reason to yank the cowl and have a look. I can't image not looking frequently as these engines are always beating themselves to death. I just found two new oil leaks in just the last 8 flight hours.   I'm not impressed with reliability, nor can I be foolish enough to absolutely trust these engines enough to not have a look rather often.

[yvesg]

Thanks for the feedback all on opening the cowling and ways not to mess it up!. SPecifically DaV8or and AmigOne. I will make some tools before I do this taks... possibly tomorrow.

Regards,

Yves from Ottawa
C-FQKM

[AmigOne]

The pipe looks like a great idea James.  I'll try that first before I invest $40 on the pig funnel.  In fact it may even work better than the funnel, nothing to form just slide in under the filter and secure. 

[yvesg]

I found a left over 1 1/4 (or 1 1/2) inch white pipe from a central vacuum installation I did years back, cut a 3 foot section, open it on half the length (similar to DaV8or suggestion) ... it worked like a charm.

Since this pipe is a bit flexible, I did slide in under the filter without problem and without the need of a bracket to hold it in place.

Oil and filer are changed so the case it closed.

Thanks again