Q: I am an European-based A&P with a customer who is experiencing intermittent roughness and loss of rpm (200) typically close to the top of climb on a long climb out. The roughness goes away once it is throttled back, and it does not occur all the time. The snag can’t be produced on the […]
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What’s causing Mooney’s rough-running engine?
Q: I bought an older Mooney with a Lycoming IO-360 with Bendix fuel servo. The engine starts to run rough once the last 1/2 inch of throttle is given. An induction leak cannot be located. Would a faulty sniffle valve be to blame? Any other possibilities? JAMIE RICHARDS A: Jamie, with regard to your older […]
Does flight school’s 172 need new rings?
This question was initially sent to our fuels and oil expert Ben Visser, who passed it on to our engines expert Paul McBride for further comment. Q: Our flight school has a Cessna 172N with an O-320 H2AD. The engine was rebuilt 120 hours ago after cam/lifter failure. The engine uses one half quart of […]
Ask Paul: Upgrading to a wide deck engine
Q: I read your article from the Oct .7, 2009, issue of General Aviation News on Wide Deck vs. Narrow Deck Lycomings with great interest. I am trying to figure out one detail that I think your article answers, but I just want to make sure. I have a 1960 PA-22 Tripacer that originally came […]
Ask Paul: The Cherokee Rattle
Q: I just bought a 1974 300-hp Cherokee Six. It has about 1,200 hours to run, has great oil pressure, good compressions, hardly uses oil, no metal in the filter, but during the run-up at 2,000 rpm, the engine makes quite a deep knock. If you go from both mags to either the left or […]
What are the best options for overhaul?
What I’m saying is, the total time on the engine would continue in the logbook and some of the major components that may have needed or required replacement will go uninspected, leaving lots of questions as to the reliability of continued operation.
Ask Paul: How do I know if this AD applies to my engine?
Q: I’ve heard there is an AD that prevents various Lycoming engines from being signed off as airworthy if the TBO is exceeded. I’ve also heard it doesn’t apply to engines manufactured prior to 1970. If the engine was original in the 1960s but remanufactured after 1970 would this AD still apply or would all […]
Ask Paul: What is causing sticking valve?
Q: In 2004, I bought a Lycoming O-320 D1A, via Van’s, and started flying it in January 2005 in a RV-9A. I broke it in according to the instructions (75% or more until oil consumption stabilized). In spite of having an oil filter I always do oil changes at about 30 hour intervals. All through […]
Ask Paul: Why is my Beagle Pup such a pig to start?
Q: I have a Beagle Pup 150 (the father of the Scottish Aviation Bull Dog) fitted with a Lycoming O-320 engine. When the weather is cold — in the UK this is anything less than 5° C — it has become an absolute pig to start, but once started it runs perfectly. The engine is […]