While one owner has too much of a good thing and lots of shops to choose from, another is second-guessing if the massive check to the cylinder shop was necessary. In this, our first crack at twice-monthly episodes, Mike, Paul, and Colleen spend more time as therapists and counselors than technicians. Submit your questions to podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to be on the show.
Full notes below:
Chris has a 182 with a recently overhauled engine that he’s concerned is making too much metal. In fact, the lab called after his most recent oil analysis to draw his attention to the report. The experts see the trends coming down a bit and think he really doesn’t have anything to worry about. With a clean filter inspection, they recommend keeping an eye on it and continuing to fly.

Mike has a Malibu and he recently replaced all the cylinders and he’s wondering if he wasted his money. His oil analysis had high nickel, and he was experiencing oil pooling and low compression. He wants to know if he could have lapped his valves to save the cylinders. Unfortunately for Mike they agree that the valves would have been great candidates for lapping.

Kevin has access to four maintenance shops on his airport. He has used two of them thus far and he’s wondering how to manage relationships and expectations when working with multiple shops. Mike said he’s a big believer in getting different sets of eyes on an airplane because each IA has his or her own style and focus. The disadvantage is that many shops will start from zero with a new customer, and doing the AD research and other items will take time and money. In Paul’s shop the IAs rotate airplanes, giving customers the benefit of multiple eyes under the management of one shop. He doesn’t recommend swapping shops every year, instead maybe waiting a few years.

Steve has gone down the rabbit hole on the wobble test and he has come to the conclusion that the tool doesn’t really clear up the process. Paul said although he has a custom tool, he never uses it, preferring to just ream the guide and not taking the time to measure.