Hi, all,

Could someone please provide some suggestions on this.

Last summer we bought a 1997 160 HP Cessna 172-R. The test flight
(with 3 adults) went just fine.

When I picked the plane up from the shop after the service (required
to fix certain things that needed it [such as a loose tail!], the
performance was very sluggish. It did not seem like the same plane -
quite underpowered.

Even below gross weight, it couldn't take off from a 2200' runway
without scaring the heck out of me thinking we weren't going to make
it. OK it was hot but the book said we should be over a 50' obstacle
at about 1800' - we were not even close!

All rpm indications were within spec (for static run-up, etc). When on
the takeoff roll, rpm was about 2100, which seemed low, but there is
no spec in the POH for rpm for the takeoff roll. The rpm went much
higher after we were cruising (2300 or so).

Also, there was a "burbling" sound from the exhaust.

The prop was removed, inspected and put back on (with pleanty of
scratch marks which weren't there before.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

TIA Chuck

Do a compression check on all cylinders. Find out from the factory what RPM
you ought to get on full power static runup. When you get to know an
airplane and one day it seems sluggish, it probably is and you need to
figure out why.