Cowl flap motors (again)

Hank · #1 01-09-07, 03:20 PM

Have an early (1965) Skymaster serial #0160. Last year installed Owen Bell manual rear cowl flap cable, due to problems with the follow-up cable seizing. This mod works fine on the rear. I ended up selling the rear motor for $400.00. Now the motor on the front has seized, new part #C610501-0201 or old part #1452506-4.
A new motor from Cessna $3400.00. Owen Bell has a used motor (no warranty) for $1000.00 or a rebuilt one $1995.00 (1 year warrenty) and a possible return of $500.00 if the old motor is repairable. Spoke to a repair shop, Pifers Airmotive, and was quoted $1695.00 to repair just the motor, and not the attached gear box if that is the problem. Looking for any leads. Thanks

Ernie Martin · #2 01-09-07, 07:59 PM

As you may have heard me suggest previously, it's always a good idea -- and faster -- to do a "Search" on this Message Board. I put "cowl motor" in the subject and found several threads. To me the most interesting information came in the "Need O/H Cowl Flap Moter(Front)" thread.

There, Dale Campbell wrote that "most of the time the problem with the motors is they are full of oil and dirt and can be fixed in about an hour. I had both front and rear cowl flap motors failed. I removed both during the annual, disassembled, cleaned and put back on. They have been working fine for the last 3 years."

Jerry DeSantis added: "Dale is right. Really not much to them. Take the motor apart and clean it up. I did and only took about hour to do. Just be carefull when you remove the rotor. The brushs are held in place by a small spring and if they should come apart, then the hour becomes two."

And Sunnysky had this to say: "Our front cowl flap motor finally packed up. It had been intermittent for some time. Seems the problem was a broken brush. Spares not available but we adapted a brush from another source. Works fine now. Must have saved hundreds of dollars." (Actually, saved thousands of dollars.)

My mechanic did the same when my motor died and he saved it. He charged me $80. Sometimes it's a loose connection that needs to be soldered. Sometimes, though, all it needs is cleaning.

Ernie Martin
(Webmaster)

Hank · #3 01-09-07, 08:08 PM

Thanks Ernie, I did see that thread. I am seeking a lead to someone that might be able to over haul the motor. In searching the threads I came across Bill Hamerstadt and spoke to him. He said he might have an OEM Globe motor available.

Ernie Martin · #4 01-09-07, 10:28 PM

My point, though, is that in many cases you don't need a specialist. My A&P had never done it before. Jerry DeSantis seems to have done it himself. You might be better served by finding a local A&P who is a detail person (maybe someone who's been a watchmaker or model-airplane builder) and chances are good they'll fix it. If that doesn't work, then go find a specialist.

Ernie Martin
(Webmaster)

Jerry De Santis · #5 01-18-07, 08:41 PM

Hank, with a little luck we will have a session in Lucaya on the repair of the cowl flap motor. We plan to have an old motor to take apart and let you folks get hands on. You will see how easy it is to service it and get it working again. It is crazy to pay $1,000 to $3,400 for a motor that when new only cost about $300. Just think of it, once you learn how to repair the motor all your expenses traveling to Lucaya will be returned back to you plus with the first repair you do!!!

Hope to ya in Lucaya!

Cheers!
Jerry