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Members in the recent past have been most helpful and I am very appreciative of their comments. I am again hoping someone may be willing to pass on more advice regarding an aircraft I now am considering.

There is a 1970 150 for sale that may merit looking at, but it is a 200 mile trip to see it and I want to make sure it is worth my time and money before going. Paint and interior look very good in the pics available, probably a 7+. Avionics are average (what one sees in a lot of 150s). Engine is mid-time with about 925 hours SMOH. Owner says it has never been topped SMOH. Compressions are 73/70/75/68. Annual is due in 6/05. Logs are available. AD?s stated as complied with.

My sense is that most A&Ps would pass the low cylinder on an annual. What concerns me is that the cylinder that tested 70 at the last annual also may drop into the 60s this time around.

My questions are: How significant a factor is that one cylinder with the 68 compression? Would two cylinders in the 60s be cause for alarm. Is this engine close to needing cylinder or valve work? What are the ball park figures for cylinder replacement, valve work per cylinder?

Many thanks!

Dewi8095

If those conditions were caused for alarm, then I wouldn't be flying my bird. The (cold) compressions for my '80 152 engines are 72, 70, 68, 68. My engine is 2300 SMOH though (TBO is 2400).

Don,

Sroll to the top of the page and click "Search" on the club header. Enter "compression" or "leakdown", and you can read most everything that has been posted on the new forum (over a years worth) on compression. This has been and will continue to be a popular subject, and there's not much new that can be posted. Your plane sounds fine to me. I'd be more concerned that the logs are complete and accurate!

Carl

Dewi, where are you located? We've discussed recently members' willingness to go take a look at a nearby plane and give you an honest assessment. Perhaps a member here is close to that plane?

Greg:

Thanks! Would be happy to work with someone knowledgeable about 150s. I'm in OKC Oklahoma metro area, but the airplane is just south of Fort Worth, TX.

Don

Carl & Hung:

Many thanks for your posts. As Carl says, lots of reading about weak cylinders in the archives. I already have read enough to know not to reject the airplane based on a single compression test.

Don

I am close to Fort Worth (30) miles. Give me the details privately and I can drive or fly to it.

Attaboy, Dale!

I'm available if anybody sees anything in the north east Florida area.

Carl

Thank you Dale. My email with details should be in your mail box.

Another question that the membership may be of help. All things considered, is it better to negotiate a price before seeking a pre-buy inspection, or wait to see what turns up at the pre-buy before discussing price seriously?

Any opinions?

Many thanks & best wishes.

Don

I think in general it's a negotiation from the time you call the guy and say "I'm calling in response to your add for..." until you sign the check.

You want to work out a good price to start with when you first talk to the guy (a price you think you can live with should the aircraft be everything you hope it is) then you might find a few things to haggle over when you look the airplane over yourself.

I would then agree on a good asking price for the airplane and tell the seller that you plan on having a pre-buy done.

For the pre-buy I would have a full annual inspection done on the aircraft. I tell the seller that I will put down the agreed upon asking price, and anything that is found during the pre-buy/annual inspection comes off the asking price of the airplane.

If the seller is confident in the condition and maintenance history of his aircraft, then he will have no problem agreeing to these terms because he stands a good chance of getting his full asking price. If however he is not confident in the condition and maintenance history of his aircraft, he will not agree to these terms and you know right away that you don?t want his airplane anyway (even before you shell out the money for the pre-buy).

If everything goes well, you will have bought a new (to you) aircraft at a fair price with a fresh annual. The seller will have gotten his asking price or close to it. Win Win.