SonexBuilders.net

Big day for me today. My ADS-B is programed and for the first time I took the cowling off of my Sonex. I also got it back on, and did not have any pieces left over.

I did see something unusual. It appears that my left hand exhaust tube may have a hole or a crack. It also appears that the oil cooler may be chaffing on the exhaust tube.

It would be really nice if all left hand exhaust tubes look like this. I am pretty sure I will be ordering a new tube from Sonex. Check out these pics. What do you think?

https://imgur.com/P8fCojn
https://imgur.com/6RxCDSz
https://imgur.com/GymHR71

They are stainless. You can clean that up. I'd pressurize it with a shop vac and use soapy water to check for a leak. Any good welder could fix that.

Is it just me, or does it look like the airflow goes forward?

Hey Art,

Looks like an oil leak dripping on the exhaust pipe and running down as it burns off?.?.?

Wes

Wes may have a point. The tube is under the aft part of the valve cover. There is some wetness around. I will look closer at this and perhaps do the shop vac trick as well.

An AeroVee leaking oil? That's a rare thing!

The second picture has what looks to be a crack near the spring loop.

I concur with Area51% on the loop crack. I will be using the shop vac trick soon. My wife says I can get one from Sam's club. I have watched mechanics and held wrenches for them my whole life. Now I R one.

Art,
I just saw this thread. Note that the exhaust tubes were ceramic coated inside and out. It might be just the ceramic coating cracked but a leak check will tell.
Alan

C'mon Bryan...AeroVees don't leak. They mark their territory.