So far, good
 

625hrs on my cermanil cylinders. If I run the oil at 6qt - not the full 10qt the engine will hold - I get 10-12hrs/qt on a TCM 550. While the TCM series of engines is not known for good cylinder compression checks, mine are in the upper 70s with one at 80. I would say these cyls might go to TB if those numbers hold up.

The SC 550 that will go in the next project was one of the last set of cyls built up by ECI before they shut down. I hope those perform in a similar manner.

BTW had a C-45 for a while - those engines were certainly OH?d (repeatedly?) thru their life - had 78/80 in all 9 cyls at 700hrs on one engine. No filters on that installation - I?d call that exceptional. I changed that engine at 1000hrs as recommended, tho it was still running strong.

see this tread http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ht=wobble+test.

Mine lasted 1400 hrs. everything was good except one valve was out of spec and the other 5 were at limit. Replaced them all with Millinum, just to try a different product.

1875
 

Updating an old thread;

1875 hours on my ECI cylinders, and methinks they need help.

These particular jugs were manufactured in 1995 by Lycoming and run for 1660 hours on a Geronimo Apache before I bought it in 2005. I had it field overhauled with the Lyc jugs getting the ECI Cerminil treatment and then hung it on the RV for the current 1875 hour run. I've had no real issues with 'em other than a stuck exhaust valve six years ago, but as Paul noted on the original post, the oil consumption has crept up; it started out using a quart every 10 hours, but has been slowly creeping up to using a quart every 4 hours. Compressions have been good, but recently I noticed some leakage through the valves and rings; the latest compression check had #4 holding but 10 psi and a tornado blowing out the exhaust. Yep, that valve is done. Time to yank 'em all.

So, I thought I'd source a new set of Milleniums and keep on trucking, but nay, it was not meant to be! Apparently new cylinders are pretty much unobtainium right now with several month back orders everywhere I inquired. Now what? I'll try to get these overhauled; my local shop here in Houston likes J&J Airparts near San Antonio, but, J&J wouldn't touch the Cerminils for rework/repair. Next call was to Sal's Cylinders up in Prosper, TX. Yep, he says, bring 'em up. So, I'm gonna have Sal have a look at them and cross my fingers...

I'd prefer to go with all new jugs, but, if I can get another 1000 hours (10 years?) out of these I'll be happy, then maybe splurge on a shiny new engine.

i do have now 160 hours on my nickel plated ECI titan cylinders... not the high time Paul was asking for. but looks good so far. after brake in the oil consumption stabilized at around 7 hours / quart. not great but ok for me.

it seems to me that a common problem that could appear on these cylinders is delamination of the nickel surface. is there anything we can do during normal operation to lower the likelihood of that problem?

i only understood that low CHT's might be a good thing in this regard.

I have 4 Millenium power assemblies on back order for a couple months now from AirPower with an estimated shipping date sometime in the spring. Last week I was notified by AirPower that for the first time Superior was not going to honor order time pricing on back ordered parts, and distributors will be charged with the latest pricing increase when they ship. I don't blame them for doing this considering the supply chain issues and wild inflation we are going through now. I am thankful that a later shipping date does not effect progress on my project. I would hate it if I needed them today.

I have friends looking for cylinders. They seem to be impossible to find. Anyone who suspects they will be needing new cylinders should get them on order soon. Overhaul shops are also back logged.

Interesting history John - in the case that started this thread, I had actually talked to Sal, and at least at that time, he said he had a pile of junk Cerminil cylinders out in the grass behind his shop that he wouldn’t/couldn’t work on because of the surface treatment.

All the cylinders I’ve used since have been genuine plain-jane nitrided Lycomings - they break in fast and easy, and just keep working….but I haven’t tired to buy any recently!

I’ve got to wonder how engine build shops are surviving with the parts shortages - you can’t finish an engine unless you have ALL the bits and pieces, and you can’t get paid if you can’t roll engines out the doors….

Paul

Update
 

Just an update that I received my Superior cylinder power assemblies today from AirPower.

Perspiring minds want to know!
 

Dave,
Would you mind divulging what they charged you for the cylinders?

Charlie Kuss [rhymes with puss. German word for kiss]

Sure, $1257.00 per power assembly. Free shipping.