Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 2 of 4 1 2 3 4
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 38
P
Member
Member
P Offline
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 38
Corrosion is the catch with inactive engines.

The cam shaft, being number one place for corrosion to occur. Wrist pins can freeze up and then score cylinder walls, producing metal and likely leading you to an overhaul.

If you could convince a seller to allow you to have your mechanic remove a cylinder and have a good look inside, this would be the way to go.

Very few I suspect would agree to that, for many reasons, chief among them if there is something obviously wrong....

Regular flying and a newer overhaul are definitely a place to start but never a guarantee.

Also have a mechanic you can trust fine tooth comb the logs. The story is always there.

Whether it be problems in the past, deferred maintenance, entries with little detail.

Or the big gotcha, entries that should be there but aren’t.

Last edited by Patrick_G; 05/08/18 01:12 AM.
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 155
Member/2500+posts
Member/2500+posts
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 155
Originally Posted by Patrick_G

If you could convince a seller to allow you to have your mechanic remove a cylinder and have a good look inside, this would be the way to go.

Very few I suspect would agree to that, for many reasons, chief among them if there is something obviously wrong....


Pulling a jug to inspect an O-200 as part of a pre-purchase would be very wrong. Doing so would unnecessarily reduce the reliability of the engine and, as a seller, I would expect financial compensation from a potential buyer who did this. There's no need to perform exploratory surgery when less invasive means are available to understand engine health.

Go fly the airplane. Then, while the engine is still in operating temps, pull the prop through all four compression cycles. Listen for the hiss of air escaping from either the exhaust (valve problem) or the oil filler neck (ring issues). If anything seem amiss, go run the engine some more and try again in case there was a bit of carbon or something blocking a valve temporarily. If you're satisfied with that, remove the oil filter, cut it open, and inspect the material for metal and other particulates. To be pedantic, you can do a differential pressure test, but only if you compare the results to the trends noted in the logbook.

If the engine doesn't pass this inspection, then it is due for repair. A competent mechanic will conduct other diagnosis before cracking it open, such as measuring valve lift if a cam is suspect or borescoping any cylinder suspected of having a bad valve.

O-200s are simple engines and the risks of cracking one open for inspection far outweigh the possible rewards. The only time I've cracked one open for diagnosis was to confirm its crankshaft was broken; something I could already tell through external inspection by the way the rotation of the prop by hand didn't quite sync up with the rotation of the alternator.

As far as logbooks go, take them all with a grain of salt. The standards for recording maintenance entries has changed over the years and not every shop has the same standards. Aircraft operated for commercial purposes will likely have nicer looking logs, but the aircraft itself might have been abused more. I've no problem with damage history, as long as it was repaired correctly. I'd much rather fly an airplane with a rebuilt wing than one that might have corrosion hiding in places unseen since the airplane left the factory fifty years ago.

Cessna 150s are simple, low cost airplanes. Pick one, buy it, fly the heck out of it, and enjoy it. Don't waste time, money, and emotional energy agonizing that you might not pick the best one available. Use your best judgement, then pull the trigger on the purchase.



N18506 C-150L overhaul project
N5275G C-310A flying ecological disaster
N37BZ fast wrong way 150
N383FM kerosene burning insanity
N55HL you bought a what?
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4
K
Member
Member
K Offline
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4
Edward, I sent a private message about your plane. Just in case you didn't get an alert!

Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4
K
Member
Member
K Offline
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4
Hi all, I found one we're pretty interested in, the only concern with this one is that the last major overhaul was in 1989. Would that be a big cause for concern? There was a top overhaul in 2017 and compressions are in the high 70s.. would that alleviate some of the concern with a 1989 overhaul? It has 727 hours smoh. Thanks for all of your help!

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,975
Member/5000+posts!
Member/5000+posts!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,975
If it only went 700 hrs or so and needed a top overhaul, I would ask a lot of questions about the last major

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,775
Likes: 300
S
Member/7500+posts
Member/7500+posts
S Offline
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,775
Likes: 300
Hi Kevin.

Our 150H was overhauled in 1990 and currently has 1650 or so hours on the engine. I had a couple of stuck valves but otherwise things have been good with the engine. Soon, I will have to overhaul, but I am continuing to fly weekly if I can get the time and love it. If the one you are looking at has good paint and interior and the panel is what you want, take Kendel's advice smile.

Good luck!

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 49
Member/2500+posts
Member/2500+posts
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 49
Kevin, Im in Peachtree City..aircraft based here at KFFC. Mine is for sale..see the link in my add here in the aircraft for sale thread!


Jim

Delta Pilot Ghetto
KFFC Falcon Field
N378T
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,975
Member/5000+posts!
Member/5000+posts!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,975
Originally Posted by Jim_C
..... Mine is for sale..



OMG!

Wow! shocked

I can’t believe you are selling your baby!

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 49
Member/2500+posts
Member/2500+posts
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 49
Lol...yep..time to move up.


Jim

Delta Pilot Ghetto
KFFC Falcon Field
N378T
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 60
Member/1500+posts
Member/1500+posts
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 60
The purchase decision was easy for me: I got the plane I learned to fly in. Knew it pretty well!

And I'm with Kendel on this:
"Cessna 150s are simple, low cost airplanes. Pick one, buy it, fly the heck out of it, and enjoy it."

And Jim C: WHAT are you moving up to?


"The most beautiful thing on earth is the sky above it." -- Joanna Fink
Page 2 of 4 1 2 3 4

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0