Q: Paul, I hope you are still answering these questions, as your experience with these engines will help set me at ease or push me to investigate further. I have an 0-320 Aerosport Power engine in my airplane and I put a new prop on it recently, which is a much better performance prop for my […]
What’s causing high oil consumption?
Q: We have a 1981 Cessna 182 with the Lycoming O540 L3C5D engine, which has the Cessna-installed turbo system. Lately, we’ve been experiencing some pretty high oil consumption with quite a bit of oil on the belly. A compression check shows high compressions with the exception of #6, which has gone from 75/80 to 60 […]
What’s the best way to read the dip stick?
Q: Should one read the oil level with the dip stick screwed in or just resting on the threads? Gary Brown, via email A: Gary, I’m glad you asked this question even though I can see the boys in the hangar beginning to smile about it. First of all, it’s not quite as simple as […]
Should I pull the cylinders in my Pitts?
Q: I just bought back my original Pitts Special after 41 years. It now has a narrow deck O-360 that hasn’t been run in four years. I’m getting the PS-5C overhauled, but wonder what you think about pulling cylinders to inspect the camshaft before running it. We borescoped the cylinder walls and there appeared to be a honey-colored film on […]
Ask Paul: Does glazing mean cylinders must be honed?
Q: I am in the process of acquiring a Piper Seneca equipped with twin Continental TSIO-360-RB engines. Both engines have about 450 hours to go before overhaul. The aircraft was last flown approximately three years ago. Technicians maintain that the cylinders have to be honed due to glazing as a result of the time elapsed since the […]
Ask Paul: What to do about a broken stud?
Q: If on a radial engine (specifically a Warner) one finds one stud broken at the flange level, would you recommend replacing all the affected cylinder studs? I assume cylinder movement caused the break. Gennaro Avolio A: I believe in this particular situation I would only replace the broken stud. However, I would very closely […]
What’s fueling higher engine temps?
Q: I own a factory overhauled O-360 A4A, which I’ve owned since it left the factory. I’ve flown behind it for 600 hours. I recently had a prop strike and the engine was stripped and reassembled with no damage found. All they replaced were the exhaust valve guides and piston rings. (And all the rest as per […]
How extensive an inspection does my engine need?
Q: I have 210 hours on my engine, which was overhauled in November 2009 at 3,288 hours. Five of the eight studs are now broken on cylinder #3. The motor had only a slight vibration during the last 3/10ths of an hour before discovering the broken studs. I would appreciate your input as to how extensive an inspection […]
What’s causing a constant roughness in my engine?
Q: I own a 1963 PA24-250 Comanche. Over the past two years I have replaced all six cylinders, both mags, harnesses, primer lines, new fine wire plugs, fuel lines, engine fuel pump, both electric boost pumps, and I am baffled. During cruise settings at 2,400 rpm and 23 inches of manifold pressure, my engine still feels […]