Atlas is down...

No, not *that* down...

Had my A&P install my new whiz-bang Iridium fine wire plugs yesterday, and
sent him on a chase for that pesky oil leak.

So what did he find? A cracked exhaust pipe, right at the weld in the
"gatherer" (where the three pipes come together).

Then, when we pulled the thing off, we found the inside of the muffler
rotted away.

Damn. Of course, the good news is that my plane didn't become a blow-torch
in flight, as it very well could have on our next flight. Nothing like
1500 degree gases 4 inches from gas and oil lines.

Oh well -- the best news is that (with the exhaust system off) he was able
to get at the bottom of the engine and tighten up some loose fittings that
should help alleviate my oil drips. That, and we're replacing the valve
cover gaskets with neoprene.

It's always *something*, ain't it? Now I get to DRIVE to Wisconsin today.
5.5 hours with two kids asking "are we there yet?"

Luckily, Dawley Aviation (the exhaust repair station) is on my way to
Racine, and I'll be able to swap out my old exhaust system for a "new" one
without going very far out of my way. Atlas should be back up and running
Friday.

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"