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-   -   NEW ECi Cylinder AD - Bummer!!!! (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=52464)

lostpilot28 01-01-2010 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N941WR (Post 391865)
It makes me wonder if my yet to be delivered ECi cylinders will be part of this AD. The way my rebuild is going, it wouldn't surprise me one bit.

BTW, there is a story on AOPA's web site about a guy who did a 180 and returned to land after one cylinder gave up. The picture showed the piston at TDC and the top of the cylinder missing. Makes me wonder if that was an ECi cylinder or not.

Hey Bill, if you're just getting your cylinders then they'll probably be OK. I bought my entire ECI 0-360 kit almost a year and a half ago...all of my serial numbers are in the 48,000 range. The AD s/n range goes up to 42,000, I believe. Not sure how their serial number scheme works, but it appears to advance chronologically. If I had to guess, I'd say the 42,000 and older cylinders are at least 2 years old.

az_gila 01-01-2010 10:52 PM

...and just falling...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by lostpilot28 (Post 391940)
...... If I had to guess, I'd say the 42,000 and older cylinders are at least 2 years old.

...outside the warranty period if they were put into service soon after delivery.

The expanded s/n list hit a buddy (all 4) and his warrant period expired last month...:mad:

OneCharlieKilo 01-02-2010 12:34 AM

ECi MSB
 
Quote:

There are two serial numbers.

One for the cylinder, hard to read on a complete engine, and one for the cylinder head along the side of the cylinder head. Just inside the baffling, if you have installed the engine. Refer to page 4 of the AD.
Photo 3 in the ECi Mandatory Service Bulletin shows exactly where to look for the all important serial number and photo 4 in the MSB shows the other identifying marks (part numbers). I checked my serial numbers when the first AD came out and was able to get all 4 with minimal baffle dissassembly using a flashlight, inspection mirror, and the help of my son. MSB is at this link:

http://www.eci.aero/pdf/08-1.pdf

It's interesting to note that the ECi MSB posted on their web site is on rev 3 but does not agree with the AD posted in first post of this thread at least as far as the expanded serial number range for the Group 'B' cylinders. The MSB still says cylinders can be replaced with serial numbers 37017 and higher while the AD expands Group 'B' to include 37017-xx through 42179-xx.

Group 'A' (subject to the inspections but don't require replacement at 350 hrs) range reads the same as before, so all the cylinders added to the updated AD are Group 'B' cylinders limited to 350 hrs....bummer is probably an understatement for those affected. I'm not happy about my Group 'A' cylinders, but feel fortunate as I didn't miss the Group 'B' numbers by much (so far....I'm hoping we don't see Group 'B' expand in the other direction with a later AD revision).

newtech 01-02-2010 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by az_gila (Post 391946)
...outside the warranty period if they were put into service soon after delivery.

The expanded s/n list hit a buddy (all 4) and his warrant period expired last month...:mad:

According to ECi's web site they have extended the warranty period to FIVE years, which I believe begins after the first engine start.

David-aviator 01-02-2010 07:13 AM

Why are so many guys buying ECI cylinders rather than Lycoming?

lrfrey 01-02-2010 07:48 AM

David for several years the ECI Titans were the choice of many rebuilders and "clone" manufacturers including TMX (one of which I have) and I had planned to do first start in April. I can't check my S/N's now as I'm in the sunny Southwest and "Toots" is at 3K6. Odds are really good that I have the problem based on the engine build date. If I find I have to replace the jugs you are more than welcome to help!

Larry

Guy Prevost 01-02-2010 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David-aviator (Post 391991)
Why are so many guys buying ECI cylinders rather than Lycoming?

For me it was the nickle-carbide cylinder lining. This allows almost instant break in and very little oil consumption. My father in law is a metallurgist and my wife was too before going the MD route. They firmly believe tha the materials in the ECI engines are far superior to those used by the other manufactures. ECI is using materials and techniques that have been well proven since the 60's, while lycoming is using materials technology from the 30's.

One thing to rememger is that everyone has had recalls or ADs at some point or another--it wasn't long ago that Lycoming cranks were suspect, which IMHO is a much bigger deal. You pays your money and you takes your chances.

I'm lucky in that all of my cylinders are in the 48,xxx range, with one in the 79,xxx range. I took delivery of my engine in late 2007. It uses less than 1 quart of oil in 50 hours and compression on all 4 cylinders after the first 120 hours was (79-80)/80. Cold.

My condolences to those that are affected. That's really harsh. If the serial number range keeps expanding, I may be joining you.

az_gila 01-02-2010 10:53 AM

All I could find was this...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by newtech (Post 391986)
According to ECi's web site they have extended the warranty period to FIVE years, which I believe begins after the first engine start.

...on a 2008 Warranty document....

Engine Components, Inc. (ECi?) hereby warrants each new TITAN? brand cylinder assembly, which it ships with an accompanying FAA form 8130, to be free from defects in material and workmanship (parts and labor) under normal use and service for a period of three (3) years from the date of first operation or at the manufacturer?s recommended time between overhaul (TBO), which ever comes first. The date of first operation must not exceed one (1) year from the date of shipment from ECi.

and

ECi further warrants each Nickel+Carbide? cylinder bore to remain free of corrosion and wear beyond service limits in normal operating conditions during TBO or for a period of sixty (60) months following date of first operation, subject to the limitations noted in paragraph one above, whichever event occurs first. This extended warranty for the cylinder bore is voided if the ring part numbers installed in the cylinder are not approved in writing by ECi at the time the cylinder was installed on the engine.

Are they calling detached cylinder heads "wear beyond limits"...:)... or is there a more recent document I missed?

The new list extends to more than 3 years ago...

Fearless 01-02-2010 12:52 PM

Mine are in the 62xxx serial numbers
 
Bill,

My nickel cylinders were manufactured in Aug 2009 and are in the 62xxx serial numbers. I would hope any cylinders from 2009 would be okay. It will be a least another year before I fire off my rebuild. We are in 2010 now so your luck is gonna change for the good. Hang in there puddy tat.

boom3 01-02-2010 02:24 PM

With all the resources and technology available today, it blows my mind that any of these parts could end up with ADs. We're paying well over $20,000.00 for these engines.

I know there's a lot of variables here, but geeze it's the same thing that has been being built since the 50's. If we can't figure it out after 50 some years, we probably never will.

I know, I know, If I think I could build something better, why don't I.

I'm just saying.


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