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Quick update on the engine

I spoke with the shop manager today. They were finished with checking the oil and filter, as well as painting the new trim tab section, and were about to take the plane off to wash it. Snohomish Flying Service includes a wash with the annual inspection, but they waited until the trim tab was painted and dry.

Unfortunately, there was a bit more metal. However, he doesn't know if it was produced in the five or so hours I flew it last weekend, or it was left over in the engine from before and hadn't yet made its way to the filter. He asked me to fly it five to ten more hours and then they'll check it again.

In the meantime, they collected an oil sample which I will need to send in for analysis. I had assumed that they would do that, but apparently it's up to me to do it, and also to pay for it directly. The sample and associated paperwork will be in the plane. They filled out much of the form; I'll just need to fill out the rest and send it off. I will also need to arrange payment. He said I could write my credit card info on the form, but I am extremely reluctant to include that information in a package I'm sending through the mail or via a shipping company like UPS or FedEx.

I don't know where it's going to be sent. As far as I know there are multiple companies that do this, but the one I've heard about most often is Blackstone Labs. I checked on their website and, assuming that's where it's going, analysis is $30 and I can pay them directly through the site.

Hopefully the engine is good for a while yet, but I'm prepared to deal with an overhaul or replacement if necessary. My bank account won't like it, but I do have funds set aside for airplane maintenance, and for other unexpected expenses, so it's something I can handle if I have to.

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