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I’m an IA!

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glenadavis

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I took the 16 hour course so now I can do my own conditional inspection on my RV – 12. Pretty scary considering how little I know. I do have an AxP looking over my shoulder. I removed my upper and lower cowlings today for the first time. I noticed that the lower cowling has what appears to be some insulation I assume to protect a cowling from melting. In fact, it appears the insulation itself has melted or at least is disintegrating. I’ve included a photo. Can anyone tell me what this material is actually for and where I buy it and any tips on replacing it. Thank you.
 

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I would look at the source of the heat first. Then deal with the potential damage to the cowl. AntiSplat makes some really nice exhaust heat deflectors. If you need a good start on a Condition Inspection Word doc, shoot me an e-mail address.
 
glenadavis said:
I took the 16 hour course so now I can do my own conditional inspection on my RV – 12. Pretty scary considering how little I know. I do have an AxP looking over my shoulder. I removed my upper and lower cowlings today for the first time. I noticed that the lower cowling has what appears to be some insulation I assume to protect a cowling from melting. In fact, it appears the insulation itself has melted or at least is disintegrating. I’ve included a photo. Can anyone tell me what this material is actually for and where I buy it and any tips on replacing it. Thank you.
Click to expand...
First lesson...... It's "Condition" Inspection.
 
I wasn't sure what material you were asking about. The foil is sold by Vans in sheets. It really should have a layer of Fiberfrax between to protect the fiberglass.
It appears the fiberglass is bare. I would strip it all down and apply two coats of epoxy neat (no thinner) then a couple coats of epoxy primer. Then reapply the foil with Fiberfrax (1/16-1/8").
 
And us certified "IA's" are soon going to be "IR's"...but that's a whole different story... It is however, another reduction of FAA touch labor.
 
I would consider it to be a layer of carbon or soot. Exhaust leak or spilled oil? What does it look like after you have cleaned it off? That is right where the oil cooler sits, no?
 
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