Engine Inspection pre-flight

[rockydoc]

Is there a fast and easy way to open the engine cowling to do a thorough engine pre-flight inspection?

[Rwsavory]

I don't think so.

[Lood]

The side cowlings doesn't take too long, but then you only got access to the bottom half of the engine. I normally only remove everything before undertaking long flight - especially those on which I carry my family.

[Bob_Belville]

I have a hanger, I do not fly all that often, and the airport is 15 minutes from home. So I don't think about engine inspection so much as a pre-flight item as something to do regularly between flights. It might take 20-30 minutes to remove cowl, check for leaks and loose thingies and re-install cowls. More fun than washing and waxing.

[danb35]

I believe the LoPresti cowling improves access a bit, but I doubt that's worth $20k to you.  Otherwise, if your C is old enough to be using screws all around, you might look into replacing them with cam-locks like the slightly-more-recent models have.  This is one area where Brands B and P have a significant advantage over our Mooneys.

[Oscar Avalle]

no

[fantom]

An STC for zippers doesn't exist. Maybe Phillips head cap locks would speed things up.

[fantom]

That's CAM locks, not cap locks.

[rockydoc]

Ever since I read "Fly the Engine" by Kas Thomas, I have made it a point to really get into a thorough pre-flight on my engine--including pulling/bumping the prop through all cylinders.  Spotting a small oil leak before it advances, seeing an exhaust smudge around a stack or a frayed ignition harness--all of these things I have found over the years.  I've never had a Mooney before, but it seems like there should be a good solution for this problem.  I think I'll take your advice and put cam locks wherever possible.  Thanks for the feed back guys.

[HRM]

I have the cam-lock cowling, but there are four screws that are a PITA to R&R. If I could get rid of those I'd be in maintenance heaven.

[N33GG]

I used to own a Cherokee 140 with the double hinged cowl from back in the days when inspecting the engine was considered not optional. Few aircraft today are designed with ease of inspection in mind. Mooney was one of the first to trade ease of inspection for speed. I try to get the best maintenance I can, and try not to worry too much otherwise. But I do miss the ability to open the cowl and take a real good look before every flight.

[stevesm20b]

Thats another reason I change my oil every 25 hours. I check everything out at that time. Tighten all hoses and clamps and check/fix leaks. Between oil changes I will sometimes shine a flashlight up into the cowl flaps and into the door where you check the oil just to check everything out. Unless I have a problem or see something unusual I don't bother pulling the cowling off untill the next oil change. So far this has worked for me.

[AmigOne]

I have camlocs but still is a PITA to put the cowling back  so remove the cowling every 25 hrs oil changes.  I have never found a loose hose/clamp between oil changes (or any other time for that matter). Other times I take the best look possible (with flashlight) through both cowl openings (have a 68C).  I may take the side panels from time to time to check the bottom plugs.  I believe that if anything serious is developing it would have shown up on the engine monitor, oil leaks would be on the hangar floor.  Common problem are exhaust leaks but they are slow to develop and nothing serious will happen during the 25 hrs.  In flight, like they say, I listen to the engine.  Last week I found hydraulic fluid stains on the inside of the nose gear door, removed the bottom panel and found the left brake master cylinder leaking (very slow leak).

[Hector]

I have cam-locks and always remove the side covers. If I'm flying multiple legs in a day then only before first leg. I have a hanger and it really only takes me a few minutes. I put torque stripes on all the important hardware that can get loose and like to check it on the first leg of the day.

[nels]

I bought an inspection camera with maybe a two foot long camera cable. I think this should work well for engine inspections prior to flights. It will sure get into spots I wouldn't be able to see even with the cowling off. Harbor Frieght sells them for about $80. The probe also fits through a spark plug hole if you wanted to check cylinders. I even thought of putting it through the floor to check and see if the landing gear was down.

[Mooneymechanic]

I always take the time to remove the side cheeks of the cowl on the first flight of the day I find putting the bottom camlocks on first makes the cowl go back together easier I can re and re them and take a look by adding an extra 4 or 5 minutes to my Pre flight .