This episode is all about engines--how to fix one that runs rough, how to save money when buying one, why one went bad so quickly, and how to preserve one during a build. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show.
Full notes below:
Brendan’s friend has a Taylorcraft with a tricky engine issue. It started with low rpms in flight, and has since been repeated on the ground. The mags have been rebuilt, both mags swapped, cylinders reworked, new carb swapped, new plugs, and they even bypassed the fuel system. Colleen suggests new plugs to ensure they haven’t been accidentally dropped or damaged. Paul suggests basic things such as the carb valve improperly moving.

James and a few partners are looking at their first airplane. He’s interested in the costs and complexity of things such as retract versus fixed, constant speed versus fixed pitch, turbo versus normally aspirated, and more. Colleen said she recommends four-cylinder aircraft because of the cost and complexity. They all agree that constant-speed is a big improvement for not much more money. With retracts, insurance is a concern. Colleen said she paid a lot for maintenance the first two years on the gear, but it’s been otherwise trouble-free. Mike said turbocharging does add some expense. He said to budget to change the turbocharger once between engine overhauls, and maybe some additional exhaust system maintenance.

Will found metal in his filter during an oil change and found a pitted lifter when borescoping, and is worried about a spalled cam. There’s only 200 hours on the engine and he flies regularly and uses Camgard. It did sit for six months during maintenance, but he had a dehydrator on it at the time. The hosts go through a complete troubleshooting and logic process to discover what might be wrong, and they plead with Will to get to his mechanic quickly before the case is split.

Tim is building an RV-14 and just ordered his engine. He’s wondering how to keep it corrosion-free while he finishes the airplane. Their first advice is to follow the manufacturer’s guidance carefully to keep the warranty intact. It comes bagged with a desiccant pack that indicates if moisture levels get too high. But that system is only set up for a few months. Mike said you can only partially pickle it by swapping the desiccant packs, and maybe a dehumidifier. There are models that use desiccant packs, or an electronic one called a Black Max.