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George,
Your hose solution is alarming! Your picture needs the heading "You
are probably a Redneck if you have hoses in your airplane that look
like this...."
Ask yourself these questions:
"If the rubber on the outside of my hose has cracked off due to age and
heat, what does the inside look like?"
"Is losing all the hydraulic fluid during a flight a bad thing?"
"Is having a fine mist of oil spraying onto a red hot exhaust system
dangerous?"
Most hoses have a finite life span that is dependent on service
conditions. You are 16 years into a 8 year life. The obvious and severe
degradation of the hose is de facto proof that the hose has exceeded
its service life.
TIME TO REPLACE YOUR HOSES, ALL OF THEM. NOW! The FARs require it.
IMHO, your plane is not airworthy due to the "modifications" and a ramp
check would likely result in an immediate grounding. Any DARs out there
want to comment?
I would recommend replacing them with Stratoflex 124J hoses and crimped
fitting. 124J is a teflon hose with a stainless braid and an integral
silicone fire sleeve. It has infinite life and is only replaced on
condition. Sacramento Sky Ranch will make up the hoses, pressure test
and flush them and then offer a no questions asked guarantee. I used
these on my IV 17 years ago and they still look brand new. Money well
spent.
Fly safe.
Regards
Brent Regan
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