Hey all, i was doing some exhaust work on my PA28R-200 with the IO360 C1C 200hp. I found this before I removed the shroud and am not sure if it was like this already before I started working on it. This is on the left hand side of the engine right below cylinder 4 riser/muffler. Is this a hose for the heater or something similar? If so, is this a big deal if it’s not hooked up when I’m running the engine? In other words, is it okay to fly with this not hooked up, and if so is there anything I need to do before I fly it? Just leave it in there not hooked up? Thanks!
That shroud (67808-000) provides the cabin heat and defrost heat. It’s about $850 for AWI to OH it or about $1700 new from Aviall.
Pretty much every heat muff I’ve seen has airflow going through it regardless if the heat is in use or not. I doubt that the Arrow is any exception to this. Airworthiness issues aside, I would fix this before flying again if I were in your shoes.
Out of curiosity, why would you recommend getting it fixed before flying, It won’t hurt anything besides me being cold, right?
The airflow transfers heat from the exhaust whether it is piped into the cabin or dumped overboard. I would expect that cracks may form if the airflow is nonexistent or disrupted. It may take a while for that to happen but it’s not something I’d want to mess with. Your tolerance for risk may be higher than mine.
Yes. Do not fly without that system in good shape. It will not only result in overheated/warped/burnt exhaust system stuff, it could crack and release exhaust gases and flame. Costly in so many ways.
Yes that needs to be repaired IMO right away. Like Dan and Mondster said, that is interrupting the air flow around the muffler and will cause harm in the long run. Personally I would not fly it like that. I would do a smoke test on muffler, there could be cracks if that has been broke for a while. I have been using the heat in my plane since last November I am guessing? Don’t you use heat this time of year? My buddy just sold his Cherokee 140 and gets his new to him Arrow II on March 22!!
It may be prudent to investigate WHY part of the equation. Kinda looks like it failed at one time. Is the screw you see securing a flange factory ? Seems odd.
Maybe it Could use a dynamic propeller balance? It looks like it has been cracking for sometime probably from vibration?
