Maintenance Issues and Tips
Here I'll post various maintenance issues that builders may want to
regularly inspect or problems they may want to address. Over time
this should be a very valuable list.
Here's my personal Maintenance Spec Sheet
Nosewheel Axle Problem
Oil Quick-Drain
Oil Sampling
Plexiglass Tips
Sparkplug Experiences on the RV-10
Tire Experiences on the RV-10
Oil Leak Detection
RV-10 Axle Extension upgrade
Airflow Performance Fuel Pump and Filter Information
Annual Condition Inspection Checklists
Elevator Trim Relay Sticking
Nosewheel Axle Problems
On the kits shipped before mid 2006, the axle spacers and design is
very flawed. Van's recently changed parts, and now the axle is a
little shorter (was 5.25") and the spacers are thick aluminum. If
you haven't switched to these, MAKE SURE you don't fly before you get
the parts....you'll be sorry. Here's my write-up on that.
Nosewheel Axle Problems
Oil Quick-Drain
If you're looking for a great oil quick-drain, I'm using one that is
very cheap and works very well. I can change the oil hot with the
lower cowl still on. The quickdrain goes on the right side of the
sump. The valve and hose are made by curtis. I got mine from
Aircraft Spruce. Here are the numbers for the valve, and a hose
that attaches to it.
05-01872 CURTIS DRAIN VALVES CCA-1700 $11.650
05-00138 CCB-39600-1 BLK QUK DRAIN HOSE $10.80
Oil Sampling
I recently received my oil analysis kits, which cost me only $85.00
from Analysts Inc. for 10 postage prepaid sampling kits. Here's
some info for you if you're interested.
See http://www.analystsinc.com/ and http://www.shellcareonline.com
or contact Olivia Davis at 800-222-0071
Click here for more Shellcare Program Info
Plexiglass Tips
These 2 articles sent by John Cox should help you prepare for installing and caring for your windshield and windows.
Aircraft Windshield Care and Maintenance
General Drilling and Trimming of Plexi Windshields
And a quick one-liner from Mark Ritter about protecting your windshield
during work: "As posted earlier I coated all the plexiglas with Spray
Lat (Aircraft Spruce) before trimming and installation. Worked
great.
"
My Sparkplug Experiences on my RV-10
Upon my first sparkplug change, I decided to learn a bit and swap
things around. I'm using Denso W24EMR-C plugs on top, and
Autolite UREM38S Iridium plugs on bottom.
My Tire and Brake Experiences on the RV-10
While doing my fall tire pressure check, I found some uneven tire wear, and also some self-caused brake wear.
Oil Leak Detection on the Engine
Since day 1, I had a small oil seepage from my engine on the right rear
side. I tried to find it unsuccessfully, until I finally got serious
about it and got myself a UV leak detection setup, consisting of UV Dye
and a UV penlight. Both are made by Supercool,
and I got them at the local CarQuest store. Total cost was $6/oz
for the dye (2 oz required), and $24 for the UV penlight. To see
more about my leak detecting, read my maintenance post HERE.
RV-10 Axle Extension Upgrade
Here's my write-up
of this issue and some possible fixes. The RV-10 has had a small
handful of cases of the extension stem that holds the outer side of the
wheel fairing breaking and damaging the fairing. It's a worthy
item to upgrade and fix, and for those who are currently building it's
a definite "should highly consider" modification.
Airflow Performance Fuel Pump and Filter Information
Rob Wright was nice enough to dig up this great info on the Airflow
Performance fuel boost pump and filter system used on most of our
RV-10's.
Click HERE for the info.
Annual Condition Inspection Checklists (Submit yours here)
Here's my N104CD Annual Condition Inspection Checklist
The concepts for my checklist were created from: (thanks to those who went before for their information)
http://members.eaa.org/home/homebuilders/operating/inspection.html
http://members.eaa.org/home/homebuilders/faq/Non-builder%20Maintenance.html
http://www.vansairforce.net/articles/annualinspection.htm
http://www.rvproject.com/annual2005.html
Elevator Trim Relay Sticking
There have been some cases now of the Ray Allen relays for the
Elevator servo sticking. So far they're all with the original
relay, their REL-1, and they've since replaced it with the REL-2. Check out this page for more info on this situation and some solutions.
Standard
Disclaimer: The ideas, concepts, maintenance procedures and tips
within this site may not be considered acceptable, and have come from a
variety of potentially unreliable sources. As with any
do-it-yourself project, building an airplane and doing the maintenance
is an "at your own risk" undertaking. Treat any information you
find on this page and on the web in general with caution and know that
you alone are responsible for the safety of your airplane, and the
maintenance performed. Although the ideas posted here were put
out with the concept of increased safety in mind, there are no
guarantees. (Hey, it's 2006, what's a guy to do)