FFS. I need a new hobby.

Don’t forget to do stuff with those kiddos, between engine and POA time suckers. They grow up way too dang fast.
Ill admit to being 100% absorbed by this stupid engine right now. Taking all the internals to the machine shop tomorrow. Hopefully that will allow me to focus on some other things that have been slipping for the past week or so.
 
Ill admit to being 100% absorbed by this stupid engine right now. Taking all the internals to the machine shop tomorrow. Hopefully that will allow me to focus on some other things that have been slipping for the past week or so.

I get absorbed in stuff like this, enough to regret some of it in hindsight. Mine are grown. Don’t be me.
 
How itemized was your bill?
It wasn't. All i got from him was the log book sticker and the 8130. I wasn't too worried about it, because as a 145 CRS he's required to keep those records, so if there's an AD or something, he should have it. It never occurred to me that he simply wouldn't replace the stuff he said he did. It might be interesting to ask for it now. Seems like a good job for the FSDO.
 
Woke up at 4 AM; had a thought. Writing it here because this thread is turning into my notebook of everything airworx screwed me on so I can go back later and refer to it.

Remembered that besides the idler shaft repair, we also needed the engine inspected because it ran with 0 oil pressure for 10 minutes. Inspecting the rod bearings should've been part of that. Rod bolts should've been changed as should've the bearings when taken apart.

I was planning to take this engine to at least 3000 smoh based on the thought i had new bearings in it. In the end it's probably a blessing he repaired the idler so poorly that it exposed the rest of his errors and omissions.
 
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Are you sending your old case to divco as a core? If the fsdo talks to him, he'll blame the failed repair on something else going on with the case. He already has. If it were me I'd take that ammunition away from him even if it costs some to have them go over it with a fine toothed comb.
 
Are you sending your old case to divco as a core? If the fsdo talks to him, he'll blame the failed repair on something else going on with the case. He already has. If it were me I'd take that ammunition away from him even if it costs some to have them go over it with a fine toothed comb.
They are doing an advance exchange, so I'll send the core back in their shipping box.
 
FWIW, Airworx refurbished by O-300 in 2022 and the logbook sticker specifically lists every part number including the bearings.

My only gripe with them/him was calling me at the 3 month mark to tell me at final assembly he found that his machinist had turned the crank down below limits and I needed a $9500 used crank. The machining was done the first month. That information and needing to sprayweld the magnesium sump for $1500 would have probably sent me in another direction looking for a used serviceable unit. Considering how simple these engines are, next time I will do the work under the guidance of an A/P. Along with removal/installation I spent some serious coin on my little C170.

My engine has been running great but leaks oil more than I like. Just installed some REAL silicone head gaskets to see if that helps. Already has the REAL pushrod tubes (Airworx kindly included these to make up for the snafu).

Checkout my 0 SMOH oil fill cap…

IMG_9068.jpegIMG_9067.jpegIMG_3101.jpeg
 
tell me at final assembly he found that his machinist had turned the crank down below limits and I needed a $9500 used crank
He turned it down that far to remove damage, or he screwed up and expected you to pay for his mistake?

leaks oil more than I like
It's a minute gripe in the grand scheme of my problems, but I noticed on mine he only used one strand of silk thread, as opposed to the two it shows in the instructions. No corner goes uncut, it would seem.
 
I just realized this is the same shop that's all over the O300 Facebook group posting about their new approvals for engine work often. DLC for lifters, STC for increased power output on O300's, etc. I had high hopes for them. Can't wait to read about the early adopter's experiences...

@Jim K , it's a shame the UofI shop isn't still around @ KCMI. I have machine shop invoices from the late 90's when my engine was torn down and specs were being checked. Sure would be nice to have a shop that close for this work. I also need to become better friends with Jim S like you! I'd heard maybe he does side work out of Paxton? but I'm not that close with him. My experience with him at the FBO GA shop has been excellent and I've spent a bit of money with them over the last couple of years.
 
I just realized this is the same shop that's all over the O300 Facebook group posting about their new approvals for engine work often. DLC for lifters, STC for increased power output on O300's, etc. I had high hopes for them. Can't wait to read about the early adopter's experiences...

@Jim K , it's a shame the UofI shop isn't still around @ KCMI. I have machine shop invoices from the late 90's when my engine was torn down and specs were being checked. Sure would be nice to have a shop that close for this work. I also need to become better friends with Jim S like you! I'd heard maybe he does side work out of Paxton? but I'm not that close with him. My experience with him at the FBO GA shop has been excellent and I've spent a bit of money with them over the last couple of years.
He's great. Very willing to let me/ help me do stuff myself. He actually worked in the U of I engine shop before they closed it and then move over to Flightstar. He does moonlight in his own shop up in Paxton, but you have to have a lot of patience to go that route because he usually only works up there on Saturdays. We'll probably build my engine up there.

If you ever need a ride back to bmi from cmi (or 1c1), hit me up.
 
He's great. Very willing to let me/ help me do stuff myself. He actually worked in the U of I engine shop before they closed it and then move over to Flightstar. He does moonlight in his own shop up in Paxton, but you have to have a lot of patience to go that route because he usually only works up there on Saturdays. We'll probably build my engine up there.

If you ever need a ride back to bmi from cmi (or 1c1), hit me up.
Get that AMT Logbook and fill that sucker out! I've been logging all my performed maintenance because you never know...
I love that he's helping you out. Those A&P's are worth their weight in gold!

Thanks and same same on the ride if you ever need one, you're used to slumming in Skyhawks ;)
 
He turned it down that far to remove damage, or he screwed up and expected you to pay for his mistake?


It's a minute gripe in the grand scheme of my problems, but I noticed on mine he only used one strand of silk thread, as opposed to the two it shows in the instructions. No corner goes uncut, it would seem.

Story goes his (former) machinist had to turn it down to remove damage. I will never know if that is true, but what I was upset about was not telling me that it was unusable way back when they first tore it apart. He was having employee problems at the time from what I understand. To make up for the situation, he did give me the part at cost (from a vendor). I appreciated that. And that’s why I thought maybe you could reason with him to get yours fixed at minimal cost.
 
It's a minute gripe in the grand scheme of my problems, but I noticed on mine he only used one strand of silk thread, as opposed to the two it shows in the instructions. No corner goes uncut, it would seem.

Silk is expensive! :)
 
Is it just me, or does the build part of this thread remind people of a Ted's building the bus thread? In a good way. That, or an episode of Scooby Doo.

Either way, we're rootin' for you.
 
Not much to report. Dropped the internals & cylinders off at G&N. Been doing lots of reading & research. Drew up torque plates and splitting plates and sent the files to Send-Cut-Send, so I'm looking forward to see how that works.

I started disassembling the sump for cleaning & inspection. I thought this was pretty cool:

IMG_20241031_154309721.jpgIMG_20241031_155544045.jpg

Looks like they put some effort into tuning the intake runner length. I was just expecting a big open plenum.
 
I love Send Cut Send, have used them for lots of one off parts over the years.
 
FWIW, Airworx refurbished by O-300 in 2022 and the logbook sticker specifically lists every part number including the bearings.

My only gripe with them/him was calling me at the 3 month mark to tell me at final assembly he found that his machinist had turned the crank down below limits and I needed a $9500 used crank. The machining was done the first month. That information and needing to sprayweld the magnesium sump for $1500 would have probably sent me in another direction looking for a used serviceable unit. Considering how simple these engines are, next time I will do the work under the guidance of an A/P. Along with removal/installation I spent some serious coin on my little C170.

My engine has been running great but leaks oil more than I like. Just installed some REAL silicone head gaskets to see if that helps. Already has the REAL pushrod tubes (Airworx kindly included these to make up for the snafu).

Checkout my 0 SMOH oil fill cap…

View attachment 134703View attachment 134704

It is what it is. You didn't buy a new engine Can get hung up on a lot of things that don't really matter.

I bought a brand new bonified Lycoming brand oil dipstick for my Lycoming O320E2D overhaul and the paint was already flaking off it when I pulled it from the package.

My 20 year veteran A&P was scolding me left & right about painting my engine. I said hell no, golden alodine it will be, it ain't worth the time & effort to paint it IMHO.
 
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Is that why you’ve stayed on POA for 14 years? :biggrin:
nah, I legit enjoy living rent-free in certain usual suspects' head space. Cheaper hobby than owning turns out.
You know you're doing it right when they follow you to other forums. Remember bois, if you're catching flak.... you've found the target. ;)
 
Cheaper hobby than owning turns out.
Is there a more expensive hobby? Maybe Superyacht d*** measuring.

Meanwhile, the hits just keep coming:

IMG_20241101_143705859_HDR.jpg

Sigh. Divco to the rescue. Overhauled accessory case. 3 weeks. Still on schedule. Wallet hemorrhaging continues.
 
Is there a more expensive hobby? Maybe Superyacht d*** measuring.

Meanwhile, the hits just keep coming:

View attachment 134785

Sigh. Divco to the rescue. Overhauled accessory case. 3 weeks. Still on schedule. Wallet hemorrhaging continues.

It seems like the engine was speaking to you. They don’t always say good things, but in a way, they’re like E. F. Hutton.
 
Is there a more expensive hobby? Maybe Superyacht d*** measuring.

Meanwhile, the hits just keep coming:

View attachment 134785

Sigh. Divco to the rescue. Overhauled accessory case. 3 weeks. Still on schedule. Wallet hemorrhaging continues.
Dad had a boss like that end up in the suction screen. Thumbnail size chunk. Case sent to Divco. Got it back and a&p had a helluva time getting it back together. They somehow didn't do the final machining and had to go back. They turned that around pretty quick. But was still a 4 month annual
 
Meanwhile, the hits just keep coming:

IMG_20241101_143705859_HDR.jpg
Not familiar with that bit - what goes in there? Any speculation on what made it fail?
 
Not familiar with that bit - what goes in there? Any speculation on what made it fail?
That's one of the ...thingies....in the accessory case that holds the shafts that holds the gears. IIRC this one runs the cam, fuel pump, and magneto. IOW, pretty effing important. Why did it fail? Old age? Maybe when the governor drive failed the shock shot back through the cam and banged that gear hard enough to crack the case? I have no idea. Not airworthy though for sure.
 
Is there a more expensive hobby? Maybe Superyacht d*** measuring.

Meanwhile, the hits just keep coming:

View attachment 134785

Sigh. Divco to the rescue. Overhauled accessory case. 3 weeks. Still on schedule. Wallet hemorrhaging continues.
Didn’t see that crack at first until I zoomed in. Yes sir, that there is a Liberty Bell worthy one you have.
 
That's one of the ...thingies....in the accessory case that holds the shafts that holds the gears. IIRC this one runs the cam, fuel pump, and magneto. IOW, pretty effing important. Why did it fail? Old age? Maybe when the governor drive failed the shock shot back through the cam and banged that gear hard enough to crack the case? I have no idea. Not airworthy though for sure.
Dads was from the magneto drive. He had suspected the A&P broke it as the mag was due for its 500 hour that same annual. After looking at it, it had been cracked for a while based on discoloration before it finally broke loose.
 
That's one of the ...thingies....in the accessory case that holds the shafts that holds the gears.
My guy was tearing down an engine from a helicopter that had just been ferried from someplace like Florida to Michigan - I was looking at the guts and spotted about 1/2 of a boss that had broken off - some part of the magneto drive. So, apparently, this happens. (And, the engine was still running :eek: )
 
My guy was tearing down an engine from a helicopter that had just been ferried from someplace like Florida to Michigan - I was looking at the guts and spotted about 1/2 of a boss that had broken off - some part of the magneto drive. So, apparently, this happens. (And, the engine was still running :eek: )
Probably an R44 with an IO or O 540. The magneto drive bearing and boss are <apparently> an all-too-common failure point. Ask me how I know...
 
The first part of my new engine arrived yesterday:

IMG_20241106_130733619.jpg
;)

Kind of ironic it'd be that one (the one that has backed out twice). Lycoming wants $100 for that plug, so i found a used one. Accessory case is scheduled to arrive today, so I'm moving in the right direction finally. Still a couple weeks away from the big meaningful parts coming back.

Went through every applicable service instruction, letter, and bulletin and consolidated them into a book with the parts manual. Made an assembly checklist based on one my ia gave me from when he used to work in the u of i engine shop. That involved reading the overhaul manual twice to make sure i got everything right. Preparing a new logbook now.

Also started 3d printing some blanking plates for painting. Hopefully going to make this one as pretty as the old one, but different.

All the parts are ordered with the exception of bearings and valve train parts, in case there are any surprises from the machine shop.

Still haven't been able to speak with a lawyer.
 
Is that a Lycoming engine parts mat, like those gun cleaning mats that show an exploded parts view of some gun?
 
Still haven't been able to speak with a lawyer.
Hope you have better luck with contacting a lawyer than I have had.

Word is out in the small lawyer world here in town that I don't have money that they can suck out of me. Not one lawyer will answer my phone calls or even return email.

At least the FBI is listening to me and my problem.
 
Hope you have better luck with contacting a lawyer than I have had.

Word is out in the small lawyer world here in town that I don't have money that they can suck out of me. Not one lawyer will answer my phone calls or even return email.

At least the FBI is listening to me and my problem.

And maybe the Chinese.
 
The first part of my new engine arrived yesterday:

View attachment 134932
;)

Kind of ironic it'd be that one (the one that has backed out twice). Lycoming wants $100 for that plug, so i found a used one. Accessory case is scheduled to arrive today, so I'm moving in the right direction finally. Still a couple weeks away from the big meaningful parts coming back.

Went through every applicable service instruction, letter, and bulletin and consolidated them into a book with the parts manual. Made an assembly checklist based on one my ia gave me from when he used to work in the u of i engine shop. That involved reading the overhaul manual twice to make sure i got everything right. Preparing a new logbook now.

Also started 3d printing some blanking plates for painting. Hopefully going to make this one as pretty as the old one, but different.

All the parts are ordered with the exception of bearings and valve train parts, in case there are any surprises from the machine shop.

Still haven't been able to speak with a lawyer.

Am I seeing things, or is that a drilled head? Was yours not safetied? How does is back out with a mechanical lock?
 
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