wrote:
Seeing as Lycoming is paying for the new pump and 1.5 hrs. of labor
for the swap, it would be less than smart to take advantage of the
deal
and get rid of a potentially bad pump. "Why wouldn't you replace it?"
would be a better question.

No doubt it makes sense to replace it - once the shop has the part in
stock and is prepared to accomodate your aircraft, all at Lycoming's
expense of course.

What doesn't make sense is grounding your aircraft until this happens.

BTW - I don't know about you, but I sure as hell counldn't replace a
fuel pump on my Lycoming engines in 90 minutes. Not when you include
decowling, taking loose the fuel lines, finding the special wrench you
need to get to that one bolt (there is ALWAYS a special wrench, usually
one you made using torch and grinding wheel), mounting the new pump,
connecting the lines, checking for leaks using the electric boost pump,
and recowling.

On my PA-30, it's probably a half day job. Now I suppose someone who
has done it many times would be a lot quicker, but (a) what are the
odds that the shop you go to has a mechanic who has done this job many
times on your particular installation, and (b) do you really believe
the shop will be willing to eat the extra time that Lycoming won't pay
for?

Then there's the fact that airplanes vary. On an early model Mooney, I
would not be surprised to find out that you need to detach the engine
mounts to replace the fuel pump - that was exactly what we had to do to
replace the prop governor gasket.

In other words - Lycoming's offer is not particularly generous
(certainly not up to what you would expect for a recall in the
automotive world) and this will probably still cost you.

Michael