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Which should...
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I too have dealt with both and use ECI parts - it's a matter of how ECI treats their distributor chain... What would you think if you were selling ECI parts? |
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Any updates
There was a new thread started by 'Gasman' a few days ago asking this same question but no one replied so I thought I would try this thread.
What is the average turn around time are you experiencing for getting the re-work done on the ECI cylinders? When I phoned them I had 75 hrs on the engine I was told to keep flying and do a compression check every 50 hrs. The reason I believe was because they were so backed up with returns. What are you guys experiencing now? |
I don't know about now, I sent mine in on Feb 5th (arrived at ECi on Feb 10th). I did not hear from them until 3/18 when the rework order was logged in. On April 21 they have finished 3 sets of cylinders and promised to finish the rest 63 sets by May 15th (news release posted on VAF). Soon after I got a phone call telling me that all four of my Group A cylinders were "bad" and they are sending four new ones to me free of charge. I received them on May 6th.
I was surprised by two things: 1. so few cylinders were sent in for rework (3+63). 2. it took so long for them to begin the process and so quick to finish them all. I was not pleased for the down time (three months) yet am happy that I have all four new cylinders. |
Based on the Amy laboda's article in the August issue of Kitplanes, it looks like the alternate means of compliance ECI was going with is not legal in FAA's view - even for experimental aircraft. At least not until FAA approves the AMOC, and who knows how long that will take. Hope ECI isn't driven into bankruptcy by having to replace all these cylinders.
Erich |
There may be problems with their approach...
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The end result of the barrels not being correctly clocked is that the intake tubes and exhaust will not fit and the push rods and their shrouds will not perpendicular with the camshaft. This problem comes about as a result of changing the cylinders manufacturing order of mechanical operations. Normally new barrels are screwed into the heads to a specific torque and THEN the flange of the cylinder is drilled for the mounting studs and further machined which assures the correct clocking of the barrel to the head when everything is screwed together tightly. In order to do the intended AMOC they will be measuring the male threads on an old barrel that has its flange already drilled and machined and the female threads in the cylinder head. They then select a barrel with threads the correct size to allow a proper interference fit with the female threads in the barrel. During this operation the head must be screwed in at a specified torque and at the same time have the parts correctly clocked in relationship to on another when its all done, GOOD LUCK! Any mistake in the selection of barrel to be matched with the head or miss clocking of the head on the barrel makes for a piece of junk. |
ECI
I don't have all the details about the AERO/ECI feud. What I do know however(lawyers getting involved) has caused me to buy engine parts from sources other than AERO. My current favorite is Dart Aircraft in Waco, TX. Excellent service and prices. I just don't think that ECI has the deep pockets to handle the cylinder debacle in a more timely manner. A reminder about Lycoming-they have had more than their share of problems over the years including, like Continental, some major crankshaft problems. Lycoming is strictly a sales/service organization. ALL Lycoming parts are made elsewhere. I would hope that most of ECI's parts are made inhouse and that would cause me to favor ECI. I personally have no problem with ECI parts.
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ECI Rocks
They seem to have a different policy for outside US. I boaght new cylinders on my own before I took the engine apart so I would have minimal down time.
When it came time to notify them they just said, send photos of the old cylinders with the rockers arms destroyed and a copy of the receipt I paid for the new cylinders and they would send a refund ck to me, which they did. Rick from Canada |
Group A Cylinders
I just found out that I have four group A cylinders on my O-320. Although I trust the cylinders, I don't like the idea of compression tests every 50 hours.
Has anyone had thier group A cylinders reworked? Did this ever get approved as AMOC? I notice that thier MSB 09-3 (cylinder rework) is now gone from the website. If not rework, has anyone gotten replacements or discounts on new cylinders? Would appreciate any insight before I call ECI next week. |
So I have a cylinder that does not have P/N AEL65102, but has a S/N in the "B" group.
I have been told by ECI that the cylinder (A titan EXP cylinder), is not recalled and therefor not eligible for replacement. They are offering to rework the cylinder as per their proposed AMOC at no charge. I note that the continental cylinders in this range also have an AD against them. Any opinions on whether I should go for the proposed AMOC rework, buy a replacement outright or since the cylinder does not have a AD assume there is no problem? |
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