Many of you from around the world will soon be heading to EAA AirVenture 2018. There’s no better place than Oshkosh and other air shows to speak directly to the experts to get answers to your technical questions about your aircraft and your engines. But you have to be armed with some information to get […]
Ask Paul: What’s the best way to hone the cylinders in my engine?
Q: I pulled cylinders #1 and #2 to replace the base “O” rings due to oil leaks. The engine is a Lycoming O-360 A3B6D with 650 hours and is a factory reman from 1994 due to Chevron Oil fuel contamination. I would like to know if it is acceptable to use a Flex-Hone to deglaze […]
Ask Paul: What’s the best oil for my airplane?
Q: Paul, I fly my single engine Comanche two to three times a month during our cold winter months here in Wisconsin. During EAA chapter meetings and fly-outs, we debate what is the best engine oil to use? The most common answers are 15-50 multi viscosity oil or a straight weight like 80 or 100. […]
Ask Paul: Can I increase the horsepower of this Lycoming engine?
The 300 horsepower engine is a completely different breed altogether and you can’t get there by converting your engine unfortunately.
Why is there steam inside my 152’s engine?
Q: May I ask a question regarding our engine in a Cessna 152? When we shut down from flight, there’s a foam or steam inside the engine and it will come out at the breather like water. What is the cause of this and what is the remedy? Also, what is the hottest cylinder in […]
Why is my new engine running so much hotter than my old engine?
Q: I fly a Cessna 182S registered HP1401. It has a Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5, 3 blade prop. Sea level OAT is 90°F or so year round. It had a single probe analog CHT display connected to cylinder #1, which always remained around 320°F. I then installed a digital engine monitor, which showed the rest of the […]
What’s the proper mag timing for my engine?
Q: Hi Paul, you helped me out a few years back regarding a question on an O-290 D2B and I really value your advice and opinions, so now I’ll ask for your help once again. I’m new to a beautiful 1974 Piper Arrow, which still has the original IO-360 C1C installed. Total aircraft time is 3,395 […]
Tomahawk buyer plagued with engine contamination
Q: I bought a Tomahawk from someone I trusted. First oil change I discover very small needle-like pieces of aluminum in the filter, about a teaspoon worth. I ask the IA-rated seller about it. His reply: No big deal, still good compression. Nothing is on a strong magnet that is carefully passed along the flattened […]
What’s going on with the left prop on my Piper Mojave?
Q: I just bought a Piper Mojave. It has 1,200 hours on both engines. Pre-buy, including oil analysis, was good. During a maiden flight, the left prop feathered on prop check. We checked the dome pressure, it was low. We topped it to 41 psi. Took off for an hour flight. Landed and left prop […]