Corrosion red flags

[Hengelo]

Was poking around under the cowling of an auctioned plane - what’s going on here, beyond the obvious?

The mix of corrosion and new metal makes me wonder… frayed cable housings notwithstanding the heavy corrosion on the bolt but not the nut makes me wonder about cosmetic swaps being made

 

[bonefishpete]

I’ve seen much worse.

I take it you’ve never seen a Florida plane.
How old?

 

[Bell206]

what’s going on here, beyond the obvious?

Given its an auction aircraft, my guess it has been sitting for a period. Do you have an overall pic of the engine? While the individual corrosion issues could simply be caused by the base material of the item, the lack of any "active" corrosion in the remaining areas of the pics points more to a short-term event than a long term or ongoing event. At least based on my experience.

I take it you’ve never seen a Florida plane.

Except there are plenty of Florida aircraft with no corrosion as its solely based on how the aircraft is maintained vs simply where it is located.

 

[bonefishpete]

Given its an auction aircraft, my guess it has been sitting for a period. Do you have an overall pic of the engine? While the individual corrosion issues could simply be caused by the base material of the item, the lack of any "active" corrosion in the remaining areas of the pics points more to a short-term event than a long term or ongoing event. At least based on my experience.


Except there are plenty of Florida aircraft with no corrosion as its solely based on how the aircraft is maintained vs simply where it is located.

Given its an auction aircraft, my guess it has been sitting for a period. Do you have an overall pic of the engine? While the individual corrosion issues could simply be caused by the base material of the item, the lack of any "active" corrosion in the remaining areas of the pics points more to a short-term event than a long term or ongoing event. At least based on my experience.


Except there are plenty of Florida aircraft with no corrosion as its solely based on how the aircraft is maintained vs simply where it is located.

I should of said South Florida aircraft stored outside.

They didn’t call it Corrosion Corner MIA for nothing.

 

[Bell206]

I should of said South Florida aircraft stored outside.

They didn’t call it Corrosion Corner MIA for nothing.

Same goes for south FL. For example, there are floatplanes out there that spend their entire life in saltwater or brackish water that have less corrosion than your average mid-west Part 91 aircraft. Its all in how its maintained. Same for other aircraft that live on or very near the beach like offshore helicopters.

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

the heavy corrosion on the bolt but not the nut makes me wonder about cosmetic swaps being made

That “bolt” is a stud and if not damaged stays on the engine. The nuts could have been corroded, damaged during removal, or lost and therefore replaced, if even for cosmetics. But probably a component of the engine was removed for recent maintenance or inspection.

 

[Stewartb]

I’d be more concerned with the spark plug wire than the corrosion in those pics.

 

[Magman]

The mag lead fraying was caused by improper installation.

They will last A long time if cared for properly.

It can be cut and shortened slightly to avoid replacing the entire harness.

Proper tools and PATIENCE are essential here.

 

[Ed Haywood]

My guess is the adel clamp is chinesium rather than AN spec. A common indicator of shopping at the aviation aisle of Ace or Home Depot.

 

[Magman]

Often folks want to wire brush or sandblast items to “clean them up”.
This removes protective coatings such as cadmium and opens the door to
extensive corrosion.

 

[Bell206]

My guess is the adel clamp is chinesium rather than AN spec. A common indicator of shopping at the aviation aisle of Ace or Home Depot.

Or it could be its a carbon steel band adel vs a corrosion resistant steel band which would allow that type rust. And given the cushion is yellow my bet is that.

 

[Ed Haywood]

Or it could be its a carbon steel band adel vs a corrosion resistant steel band which would allow that type rust. And given the cushion is yellow my bet is that.

Looks like somebody dug down into the hardware bin and recycled an F clamp? My aircraft specs aluminum WDG everywhere except one or two stainless.

Adel Clamps

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"CAUTION - Clamps with low carbon steel bands are not recommended for new design and most were purged from stocks back in early 80's"

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I’m not seeing the bolt with heavy corrosion.
(I am seeing a baffle with almost no bend radius which was welded where it cracked.)