Slick Mag SB3-03 & SB2-08A

[cleve_thompson]

I have 2 Slick mags on my O320 Lycoming and they both fall into the inspection category since I have 81 hours on the mags and new engine.
I called Unison (Slick mag manufacturer) in Jax Fl yesterday and they said that they were testing new carbon brushes that didn't require periodic inspections now and things were "going well". They had intended to have new brushes ready for Oshkosh but didn't make it.

They think they will have them in late August '08. I think that I will wait until then to install new brushes. In the mean time, I am doing as the FAA suggested and doing a good mag check.

[MCA]

I inspected the one slick mag (266 hours on it) last week and it failed the inspection - all three items in SB3-08. I also had a local A&P mechanic verify what I saw, and he showed me a mag with 500 hours on it that looked brand new compared with mine. Aerosport Power sent out a new mag, although it has the same issues as the one it replaces as no "upgraded" parts are available yet.

Note that during those 266 hours the P-Mag had no issues (although several issues in the previous 130 hours).

Sample size n=1.

[weeav8ter]

I recently flew my RV10 from TX up and through Alaska and at about 175 hours on the engine and in Anchorage I had my left slick mag completely fail. I have elctronic ignition installed.

On removing the cam from the mag the point lifter was completely worn off. So based on my recent experience with this I would strongly suggest that you take this SB to heart.

Wayne Edgerton RV10 N602WT

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by weeav8ter

I recently flew my RV10 from TX up and through Alaska and at about 175 hours on the engine and in Anchorage I had my left slick mag completely fail. I have elctronic ignition installed.

On removing the cam from the mag the point lifter was completely worn off. So based on my recent experience with this I would strongly suggest that you take this SB to heart.

Wayne Edgerton RV10 N602WT

According to the AD, for my serial # I need to inspect only after 250 hours. What was your serial # on your failed mag?

[db1yg]

I received the attached from the "Slick Mag" folks this am. Hopefully we will be able to have a permanent fix to this issue.

Dave,

We have determined a fix and have been testing it extensively. We expect to be introducing the changes in early September which will allow termination of the SB's. Your distributor will be aware of it as it occurs. Thanks

Cheers,

db

[RV10inOz]

I have a new Lycoming XIO540 being dispatched this next week.

Anyone know whether Lycoming use them on the XIO540 as standard?

DB

[Finley Atherton]

This may be of interest if you have not complied with the Slick brush SB.

Copied from the Yahoo Canard-Aviators forum which copied it from the Lycoming forum:Re: [lycoming] Slick Mag SB3-08A
"I just opened up two mags, a 6350 and a 6351, both had 460 hours on them since new. I'm surprised the engine ran at all. Both distributor blocks were melted, the coil tabs were severely pitted from arcing. Pretty ugly stuff. Mag checks seemed fine. Outside the mags looked flawless. One telltale sign that something is awry is dust in the vent holes".

I recently had the new improved replacement brush (PN K3215) installed in my single mag (TT 130 hrs). The engine shop said the brush was showing signs of wear. Everything else was OK.

Fin
9A

[Sheldon]

Anyone know the (average) cost of inspection/replace needed parts in Slick Mags?
Or: cost compairsion between inspecting/repairing vs. buying new and just remove & replace?
Are the new Slicks from the factory void of the SB now?
Also, has anyone done their own inspection & repairs? Or is this something left to the 'professional'??
I'm at the 500 hour mark on mine and am wondering what to do...
Sheldon

[Ironflight]

The inspection is pretty easy to do if you are mechanically inclined Sheldon - if you are comfortable removing, replacing and timing mags, then opening them up is not very complicated. You can find the manual on line if I recall, and it pays to buy the cheap little tools from ACS, then just do it. (I have not had to buy parts - mine looked great at 500 hours, so can't advise you on that part.)

Paul

[Finley Atherton]

Originally Posted by Sheldon

Also, has anyone done their own inspection & repairs? Or is this something left to the 'professional'??
I'm at the 500 hour mark on mine and am wondering what to do...
Sheldon

The mags are fairly simple devices and replacing the brush is straightforward but you do need to know exactly what you are doing to get the internal mag timing correct when you reassemble the mag. Also you need to know how to position the crankshaft and mag gear when the mag is inserted back into the accessory case. As Paul said the information is online and it helps to have the correct tools.
In my case I took the mag off myself then took it to an engine shop where they inspected the mag, checked and adjusted the points and changed the brush, all in about 20 minutes. I then reinstalled the mag after reading the online information and being given instructions from the friendly man at the engine shop.

Edit: Only the brush SB was applicable for my mag.

Fin
9A