"That installation is fraught with peril"

"That installation is fraught with peril"

From Ask the A&Ps by AOPA

April 1, 2026 · 54 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the complexities of mechanic-client communication during annual inspections and addresses specific engine troubleshooting cases.

How much should a mechanic tell a client during an annual? Mike, Paul, and Colleen handle this question and more. Email podcasts@aopa.org for a chance to get on the show. Join the world's largest aviation community at aopa.org/join Full notes below: Justin flies a Twin Bonanza and cylinder 5 on his left engine takes as much as a minute to fire up and start running. It comes online fastest if he goes very lean quickly after starting. He's pulled the valve cover and springs off, and it's not a sticky valve, and he's reamed the valve guides. Mike wonders if it could be a primer problem. Justin disconnected the primer line, ran the boost pump, and checked for leakage and couldn't find any. Paul suggests taking the line off, capping off the injector, and then trying it. Jorg is trying to make sense of his data. He has a K35 in Austria and he has GAMI injectors and an engine monitor on his IO-470. He has a low CHT on the number 6 cylinder, and it's the first one to go on the lean side, and it shuts down first if they go very lean. An induction leak test seemed fine, and his GAMI spread is less than a gallon an hour. The valve was also lapped. Mike said a low probability culprit could…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mike, Paul, Colleen

Topics covered

  • mechanic-client communication
  • aviation maintenance
  • engine troubleshooting
  • annual inspections
  • aviation community

Keywords

  • mechanic
  • annual inspection
  • engine troubleshooting
  • Twin Bonanza
  • GAMI injectors
  • aviation maintenance
  • alternator

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: AOPA

Products: Twin Bonanza, GAMI injectors, engine monitor, alternator

Places: Austria

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