I have a beautiful RV14A in pre buy right now (3rd time!! First two aircraft had too many problems). From a build standpoint the airplane sailed through the inspection. But we have a bit of a problem (I think) with the oil analysis.
This RV14A is unique because it is powered by a fixed pitch prop and an IO-360. The motor has 200 hours on it in the last ten years, and it was installed in this RV14A four years ago. Prior to this inspection, the airplane was not on oil analysis.
Anyhow, without further ado on Friday I received the results of the oil analysis. The results were high oil, copper, nickel, aluminum, and tin. Results:
Aluminum 11 ppm
Iron 66 ppm
Copper 20 ppm
Tin 8 ppm
Nickel 12 ppm
So the numbers above do not mean much to me. Talking to the lab, they suspect possible corrosion due to flying only 200 hours in 10 years.
What is the collective wisdom of this group, are those numbers concerning, or is the oil lab covering their butts by flagging those numbers?
The owner admits to the airplane burning a quart of oil every 8 hours. That seems reasonable to me.
If you were in my shoes, would the numbers I have typed above be enough for you to end the deal? What would you do about those numbers, if not?
This RV14A is unique because it is powered by a fixed pitch prop and an IO-360. The motor has 200 hours on it in the last ten years, and it was installed in this RV14A four years ago. Prior to this inspection, the airplane was not on oil analysis.
Anyhow, without further ado on Friday I received the results of the oil analysis. The results were high oil, copper, nickel, aluminum, and tin. Results:
Aluminum 11 ppm
Iron 66 ppm
Copper 20 ppm
Tin 8 ppm
Nickel 12 ppm
So the numbers above do not mean much to me. Talking to the lab, they suspect possible corrosion due to flying only 200 hours in 10 years.
What is the collective wisdom of this group, are those numbers concerning, or is the oil lab covering their butts by flagging those numbers?
The owner admits to the airplane burning a quart of oil every 8 hours. That seems reasonable to me.
If you were in my shoes, would the numbers I have typed above be enough for you to end the deal? What would you do about those numbers, if not?