Q: I have a Lycoming O-360-A1A that had a prop strike and was rebuilt at Western Skyways. I was told by my test pilot to change the oil after five hours of flight.
Is this correct? If not, at what hourly interval should I change the oil to safely monitor the break-in?
Chuck Hohos
[Read more…]Q: I have single engine Bravo plane with a Lycoming O-320-E2A, TSN6606, TSO2432, running on an extension permit. I found another engine for sale for $8,000, including delivery. It’s an O-320-H2AD, 270 SMOH, with the log Tach 542.6, TT 542.6.
[Read more…]Q: There was a company that made engine pre-oilers. This would be the perfect component to add to an aircraft engine, wouldn’t it? You could go out to your hangar and turn on the pump, circulating oil over all those areas that suffer from corrosion. Why aren’t these more popular?
Rolf Ringgold
A: Rolf, you’ve raised an interesting question and I am probably opening a can of worms by answering it.
[Read more…]Q: I’m considering buying a 2003 Socata Trinidad TB20 that has an extremely low time of just over 200 hours. A single owner purchased it new and obviously hasn’t flown it much.
It has a 250-hp Lycoming IO-540 engine. The cylinder heads were nickel coated in 2017 after an inspection found pitting on the original steel cylinders, no doubt because it sat for some time between flights. The plane has never missed an annual inspection, so it must have been run at least once a year.
Since the cylinder coating in 2017, the plane still hasn’t been flown much, but I’m told that it never sits for more than a month without being run by an airplane mechanic for some period of time as it is hangared in a place that has a service center.
What are the risks with this low time, but older infrequently used engine?
[Read more…]Q: What’s the reason the O-320 E series can’t be converted to a higher compression?
A: It’s been a long time since I’ve had this question come up, but the answer is easy and may not be to your liking.
[Read more…]Q: I just bought a Lycoming O-320 engine that was apart for overhaul for a homebuilt project. The engine came with four overhauled cylinders. Three of the cylinders are part number LW-12417 and one is part number LW-12416.
I cannot find any information as to whether the LW-12417 are plain steel or nitride cylinders. I need this information so I can purchase the correct piston rings.
Jerry Rodgers
[Read more…]Q: I am looking to purchase a Cherokee Six. I would prefer a 300, of course, but budget-wise the 260 looks more appealing. Can the horsepower be increased on the 260?
Would a RAYJAY turbo increase horsepower or just increase performance at higher altitudes? I don’t need altitude, I’m a flat lander in northeast Arkansas, but the added power would be nice. [Read more…]
Q: On a recent pre-annual inspection of my “sweet” flying Champ I noticed the plastic tips on the alternator (see photo below) missing from most of the fins. I think the missing tips have been gone long ago, but no problems at all.
I can’t find any recalls, ADs, or even specs on alternator problems. Is this a condition likely to fail an annual?
Enjoy reading your column and General Aviation News. [Read more…]
Q: I had an air/oil separator installed in a 1999 Cessna 182S Lycoming last August and since then the plane belly is a lot cleaner, but my oil consumption has shot up from one quart every seven to nine hours to one quart every three hours.
The mechanic is perplexed, saying he doesn’t see any oil in the discharge duct or anywhere.
Any thoughts? Is there any danger in flying the plane? [Read more…]
Q: I have a 1977 Piper Lance, which has 1,800 total time on engine and airframe since new. The engine is now starting to consume excess oil, about one quart every hour or so.
I’m wondering if it makes sense to hone the cylinders and replaced the rings versus an overhaul?
I do not really know much about engines, and really cannot afford the cost of an overhaul, so I’m looking for a fix to get another 200 hours out of the engine to get it to TBO.
Compressions at the July annual were 74, 76, 78, 77, 77, 77. The underbelly of plane is oiled. There’s also a few drops of oil under the engine when sitting. [Read more…]
