Removed the spark plugs and I could see that the #1 and #2 cylinder plugs were fairly carbonized.  So, since I'm getting close to the 100 hr replacement (I use 100LL), I just replaced all the plugs with new ones.

Did the run-up and all was well.  Then did two circuits and the engine purred like a cat. 😎

#1 Top plug.  Pretty carbonized

Especially when compared to the #3 plugs.

I don't tire of this sight.

I was going to do a flight this morning with my instructor (instrument lesson) and I did the run-up (It was 34F (~1C) outside, but the airplane was in a 50F hanger all night) and the drop was about 300 on the Right and a more typical 140-ish on the Left. Normally it's about the same 140-ish drop on both sides.

It was also running rough on the Right and I noticed the EGT's for #1 and #2 were much colder (Maybe 250F to 300F) than #3 and #4 (maybe a red herring).

All other engine parameters were normal (oil temp was about 130F to 135F). The engine/airplane has about 80 total hours on it and I did an oil change 2 weeks ago (oil analysis was fine).

Hmm.... It's been running fine up until now (it's been at least 20 degrees warmer until now). Maybe some plugs are fouled? Extra cold air revealed the issue? I'll pull the plugs this weekend and see what's what.

It was beautiful this morning at 6B6... Too bad we didn't fly.

Screengrab from a Rotax-Owner.com video on installing plugs. Not much thermal paste should be applied.

Misc. stuff over the last week.

I need a better blade to cut the filter out of the housing...  The box cutter knife I have just wasn't.... umm, cutting it. ;-)  I'll try an Xacto blade next.  I did get the oil analysis report back and it looks fine.  They/we won't really know about any issues until the next analysis to look for trends.  They said some metals were slightly elevated since it's a new engine.

I've been wanting to tweak the aiming of the taxi/landing lights, so I got to that last night.  Not much range to adjust, unfortunately.  I did manage to point the taxi lights a bit lower than the landing lights.  I keep both on when landing at night.

Enjoying the fall colors....

One more. ;-)

 My first attempt at video editing.  Not terrible for a complete newbie at it.  Flight was this past Sunday.

Sadie was due for an oil change, so I got that done.  Not too bad.

I like to work from checklists, so I made a super detailed one for doing the oil change:

• Remove upper cowl
• Warm up the engine to operating temperature (120F) (remove keys after that!)
• Detach air intake from NACA duct
• Remove lower cowl
• Burp engine
• Put on gloves (there's lead in that oil!)
• Remove oil tank drain plug (using 17mm and 19mm wrenches (the 19 is used to hold the tank nut so you're not twisting the tank))
• Drain oil - Take a sample from mid-stream of oil draining for oil analysis (I use Blackstone Labs)
• Reinstall drain valve with new crush washer to 25Nm (18.5 ft-lb)
• Prepare new filter by spreading clean oil on the contact surface
• Remove oil filter, protecting components underneath with paper towels/towel since oil will leak
• Put on new filter until fully touching
• 3/4 more turn
• If inspecting magnetic plug:
• Remove safety wire
• Use 16 mm socket to loosen (may need long-armed wrench) (Use paper towels underneath for dripping oil)
• No whiskers longer than 3mm in length
• Should feel like a fine metallic paste
• Clean plug and re-install to 25Nm (18.5 ft-lb) (I found that coming from above to torque worked best)
• Safety wire
• Remove dipstick (so you’re not covering it in oil)
• Add 2.5 L Aeroshell Oil Sport Plus 4 
• Turn prop 20+ times (very tiring!)
• Put lower cowl on
• Reattach air intake to NACA duct
• Run engine to operating temp making sure oil pressure immediately rises (remove keys after this!)
• Check for leaks
• Burp engine
• Check level before adding the final .5 L (Should be in the upper half of the min/max range (max if you're going on a long flight))
• Put upper cowl on
• Note Engine Time & Total Time in Engine Logbook
• Cut open oil filter to inspect

Is that detailed enough? 😁

Dirty oil out...

Paper towels to keep the dripping oil away from the other parts

New filter ready with a coating of clean oil

Magnetic Plug coming out.  Oil comes out when taking that out, so more paper towels are in place.

Relieved to see very little accumulation on the plug.  They say to rub some between your fingers to check for any chips/shards, so I did that and it was just pasty as they say it should be.

Plug cleaned and safety-wired back in place.

2.5L in (will fill after a run and burp of the engine) and the air intake back in place.

My beautiful airport at twilight.

A random picture taken over the weekend at Walden Pond in Concord, MA.

Another fun nighttime instrument flying lesson.  Beautiful night, even though I missed most of it because I was under the hood. 😎

Started my instrument training last night (my first time flying at night in Sadie too).  Fun!