Airplane Owner Maintenance

A Maintenance Oriented Podcast For Airplane Owners, Pilots, and Mechanics

Tag: cylinder

173 – What’s Happening With Cylinder #1 in my Mooney M20J?

April 9, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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I got an email from Michael this past week. He owns a Mooney M20J, and something strange happened with cylinder #1’s EGT and CHT recently. Michael agreed to let me share the story, so that’s the main feature in this episode. The picture above is one Michael took with his borescope while looking for any obvious problems with the cylinder.

Before we get to that story, here are a few items I included in this episode:

  • How I microwaved a fork, and nothing bad happened 🙂
  • How I’ve been fighting the mice at Classic Aviation.
  • The great people this week who either stopped by the shop to say hi, or who sent me an email or voice message:
    • Mike, and his Cirrus SR22.
    • Steve and Janet, and their Twin Comanche.
    • Rudy and his Mooney M20J.
    • Michael and his Mooney M20J. (This is the featured story in this episode.)
  • A little follow up from the Piper Saratoga story I talked about in the last episode
  • … and here’s the little basil plant that has become more interesting than I ever thought it would:

Here are a couple more samples from the excellent photos Michael took of cylinder #1 with his borescope:

Finally, for those of you who love great books, especially books that use good aviation stories to teach life lessons, I have a good one to recommend.

John Ramstead has a new book coming out real soon called “On Purpose With Purpose.” From his days as an F-14 Tomcat pilot, to a near-fatal horse-riding accident, to his transition to a podcaster, speaker, and coach, John’s book is absolutely inspiring. I’ve already pre-ordered my copy, and I’ve been reading the digital version… it’s excellent!

Why don’t you join me in reading this book? Click here to buy your copy.

If you just want to learn more about the book, click here.

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172 – A Perplexing Low Cylinder Compression on a Piper Saratoga

March 26, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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12/80! That’s a terrible compression test result. And unlike some cylinders, this one did not show any obvious reasons for the low compression… take a look at the valves after the cylinder was removed:

Unless I’m missing something, I don’t see anything that would explain such a low compression number. The cylinder has been shipped to Tim Barnes at Skyline Cylinders for repair, so I’m hoping he will be able to give me more information about it. You can listen to the audio for more thoughts about this whole experience, and maybe I’ll give an update on it in a future episode.

I also mentioned in this episode my latest project in the shop at Classic Aviation – an annual inspection on a nice E33A Bonanza:

It’s a great airplane, with a great owner – now that’s a good combination!

The post “172 – A Perplexing Low Cylinder Compression on a Piper Saratoga” appeared first at AirplaneOwnerMaintenance.com

115 – Which Borescope Should I Buy?

May 6, 2019 / / 7 Comments

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This is a question many airplane owners, A&P’s, and IA’s ask when getting started with borescoping piston engine cylinders.

If you want to look at the exhaust valves (and other things,) in an airplane engine’s cylinders, this borescope is the one I confidently recommend: The Vividia VA-400. Here are my best reasons:

  1. It has a 180 degree articulating probe. (You can easily see the exhaust valve through the spark plug hole.)
  2. It takes excellent pictures.
  3. The price is great.
  4. It’s been tested and approved by many in the general aviation community.

Check out the following links to purchase the VA-400 borescope, or the bundle that includes both the borescope AND the wifi adapter for connecting to your iPhone or iPad:

And, if you use the code “Dean” at checkout, you will receive a 10% discount off the purchase price.

For the VA-400 borescope:

https://www.oasisscientific.com/vividia-va-400-rigid-usb-articulating-borescope-videoscope-inspection-camera.html

The borescope above will connect directly to an Android device or tablet.

Or, if you’re like me and want to use your iPhone or iPad, you’ll want to buy the bundle which includes the VA-400 above, along with a WiFi adapter to allow viewing on your iPhone or iPad. Here’s the bundle: (This is the one I bought.)

https://www.oasisscientific.com/store/p374/VA-400-WiFi_Bundle%3A_Vividia_Ablescope_VA-400_USB_Rigid_Articulating_Borescope_plus_VA-B2_WiFi_AirBox_for_iPad_iPhone_and_Android_Phone_and_Tablet.html

It’s an incredible tool that comes in a really nice metal box.

I’m really happy with this borescope. If you’re looking for a borescope, this one may well be a good option for you as well.

Remember, if you purchase using one of the links above, and use the code “Dean” at checkout, you can get a 10% discount off the purchase price.

If you have not downloaded my free PDF Exhaust Valve Inspection Guide, with pictures and descriptions of what to look for, be sure to grab a copy of that as well… it will be super helpful in using your new borescope. You can get access to that free guide here: airplaneownermaintenance.com/exhaustvalves

On another note, I had the great privilege of being on the Fly Maui Podcast with John and Leslie Caubble last week (episode 29.) It was great talking with them about “Beyond the Preflight Checklist,” where we talked about helpful things to know, that may not be on the standard preflight checklist. Check out the Fly Maui Podcast here: https://www.flymauihi.com/blog

Thanks John and Leslie, for all your inspiration, and for sharing your journey!

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Have a great week everyone!

114 – Free Resource for Airplane Owners to Confidently Borescope Exhaust Valves

April 24, 2019 / / 2 Comments

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Free Training: airplaneownermaintenance.com/exhaustvalves

Here are two of the many pictures of exhaust valves that are in the free training guide I’m offering to you, “Exhaust Valve Borescope Inspections.”

Would you know what to do if you saw this? Get the free training guide and read about what’s going on with this exhaust valve from a Turbo-normalized A36 Bonanza.

Here’s another one:

This exhaust valve is actually in a Lycoming IO-360 engine. After seeing this, I’m a firm believer in doing borescope inspections with every annual, not just for Continental engines, but for Lycoming and Franklin engines as well.

These two exhaust valves and many more, along with explanations, are included in the free borescoping guide.

Here’s the link to subscribe to this free training:

airplaneownermaintenance.com/exhaustvalves

Please take advantage of this free offer, and if you find it helpful, please share the link wherever you feel is appropriate.

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Also in this week’s podcast, I’m sharing some information about magneto contact points. Like exhaust valves, this is an item that is normally hidden unless effort is made to see it. When I saw these contact points, I was reminded of how important it is to do 500 hour inspections on magnetos. This magneto has approximately 1100 hours on it, and the contact points are in poor condition… startling condition actually.

Look at the right side, and then we’ll zoom in on the next picture.

Notice the very dirty contact points.

Very nasty… not sure how much longer this magneto would have run.

Bottom line lesson here: For safe and reliable operation, magnetos need regular maintenance, and the 500 hour inspection recommendation is there for a good reason.

My favorite magneto shop is Aircraft Ignition Services, LLC in Honey Grove, Texas, just outside of Dallas. This is a fantastic shop run by Kevin and Leah Herrington. Everything about their work is top notch. The work is excellent and the ongoing support and service is the best I’ve seen. Here’s their website. Take a look, and give ’em a call if you need any magneto work.

http://aircraftignitionservices.com

This is exactly where this magneto will be going, for 500 hour inspection and any necessary repairs.

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Don’t forget to grab the free Exhaust Valve Borescoping guide here:

airplaneownermaintenance.com/exhaustvalves

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