Learned something new last weekend.

[astjp2]

So I was doing an annual on a 150hp cub and during the annual, I found that the right magneto was oozing something that was akin to a white puss. It was almost waxy. The previous annual was done this last may by a reputable shop and there was a lot of clean up items that needed to be done to meet my standards. Things that were rubbing and chaffing, tailwheel was just full of dirt and needed cleaned up. etc. I swung the mount and pulled both mags. The right had an obvious capacitor failure and inside the cap had about 1/8" deep puddle of more of the puss that leaked out. The other Mag looked clean so we decided to send the mags and have them gone through at aircraft magneto service. Oh and several of his champion plugs were over 5K ohms.

I do not know what the owner spent, but I reinstalled the newly overhauled Bendix mags, wires and plugs. I do know that the owner reported his oil temps were running a lot cooler by like 40 degrees and he said that he was getting a half gallon per hour better economy cruise. The last overhaul on the mags was fro 1993.

If you suspect a failure of a mag, get an expert to go through them. I wont do it because I do not work on them all of the time and I do not have a testing machine. I could post pics, but there is not much to see. Be safe, Tim

[astjp2]

I also had another experience the week before last, pilot reported no mag drop on the left and the engine died on the right....well if you are only running on one mag, that will happen...but these new pilots are not getting a real understanding on how airplanes work. So learn as much airman-ship as you can. It may save your life.

[PA1195]

For some pilots maybe Cessna had it right. Tiny oil quantity and fuel drain inspection door. Leave the rest to experienced mechanics including most routine FAR Part 43.3 service at normal oil change intervals. With exceptions of course, in my experience the days of growing up with mechanical understanding and knowledge are fewer. And, who wants the liability to partially train a pilot on how to maintain their airplane like in years past when supervised owner maintenance was common. Folks who aren't mechanically inclined or interested can still fly but airmanship in all aspects aircraft operation makes them better operators.

Gary

[Robert Lees]

Tim, how many hours was it before the last 500hr mag inspection? A lot don't do many hours, even from 1993 I've never heard of ooze from a capacitor.

Rob

p.s. You are correct in referring to "my standards". If I take on a new aircraft, I let the owner know ahead of time that I want it to be safe enough for me to fly it. They are welcome to go elsewhere if they are not happy with that!

pps I hate Champion plugs (those with capacitors)

ppps Don't say "like" in that context, it makes you sound the same as a teenager!

[astjp2]

[astjp2]