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

KirkGrovesRV8 01-02-2010 03:18 PM

Well I pulled the cowl and the front baffles today and yep sure enough all my cylinders are in the AD. I had white residue on the inter cylinder baffle and lots of pait chipping off around the exhaust port, so for now "Queenie" is grounded:( Compression at the last annual was fine but from what I see the prudent thing to do is get this looked at and fixed, I have a trusted A&P coming next week to look and pull the jugs off for me. A call is going out to ECI first thing in the AM on Monday, we will see:)

tsneidin 01-02-2010 04:28 PM

Are tapper finned cylinders affected.
 
I have one cylinder in the serial number range with the head part number AEL85099, but the cylinder assembly part number is TISN12.0X11SA. That is the experimental taper finned cylinder. Am I in the clear with these?

Walt 01-02-2010 05:01 PM

I bit the bullet shortly after this AD came out as I've seen the result of a head coming loose and wanted nothing to do with it. Mine were group A and ECI agreed to replace them at a pro-rated price which I thought was very fair (cost me less than half price for a brand new top end that had about 700hrs on it). The new ones I got in mid 2008 were 53XXX s/n's.

Gunter Malich 01-02-2010 06:53 PM

What a Bummer
 
I checked my engine, which I was just about to start mounting, and it looks like it's got all four jugs in the newly expanded "Group B" category.

I guess some phone calls on Monday will be in order. Sure hope that the warranty from either Mattituck or ECi will soften the blow.

Not a great way to start 2010.

dedgemon 01-03-2010 02:22 PM

Easy way to check SN's
 
A "relatively" easy way to check the serial numbers, especially on cylinders 1 and 4 can be done as follows.

Take a 1 inch wide piece of cardstock about 6 inches long and drizzle hot wax from a burning candle on then end (about 2 inches). Place this between the cylinders over the serial numbers and press down with a popcycle stick or something. The cool (cold) jug will set the warn wax and make a very nice wax impression of the numbers. No need to remove any baffles.

I checked mine today. I'm in the 53XXX range. I bought this engine in Feb 2009 and just started flying it.

petehowell 01-03-2010 09:12 PM

Date Ranges......
 
This might help people know if they are group A or Group B. Since my engine was assembled in Nov 05 - I think I can rule out Group B. I it is interesting that there could be some folks who installed new cyls after the 08 AD that could get caught again.

The following data is from here:

(note: this date data is from the old 2008 AD - there are more Group B cylinders in the AD from 2 days ago.)


GROUP ?A? AFFECTED SERIAL NUMBERS:

Group ?A? cylinders that require inspection or replacement are included in serial numbers 1138-02 through 35171-22, which are part of Group ?B? (refer to paragraphs 8.0 and 8.1). These cylinders were produced between August 2002 and December 5, 2005. Note that this range of serial numbers includes other products that are not subject to this inspection. Only cylinders identified in accordance with paragraphs above and with serial numbers within this range are affected.


GROUP ?B? AFFECTED SERIAL NUMBERS:(note: this date data is from the old 2008 AD - there are more Group B cylinders in the AD from 2 days ago.)
Group ?B? cylinders that require a one time inspection and an operating time dictated removal in accordance with stipulations identified in 4.0 above are included in section 8.1 below. These cylinders were produced between Dec. 6, 2005 and Feb. 7, 2006. As detailed in paragraph 4.0, this range of serial numbers includes other products, and only cylinder assemblies meeting the requirements established in Paragraph 4.0 are listed in Section 8.1.

Jeff Vaughan 01-04-2010 12:15 PM

UgggH
 
All four of my cylinders are affected by the AD. At least it is winter and not prime time flying weather.

Gunter Malich 01-04-2010 07:12 PM

ECi Response
 
Thought I'd pass on what I learned today from ECi....

In my situation, I have four cylinders in Group B. ECi did not hesitate in offering a new set of cylinders, after I send them my present set. Since I have no hours on my engine yet, they will provide new jugs at no cost, and will also pay for shipping from the factory. If there were time on the cylinders, the refund would be pro-rated, with the maximum net charge being about $450 for a full set of four.

My out-of-pocket cost will be limited to the labour to remove and replace, along with shipping of the old cylinders back to ECi.

All in all, I am left with the feeling that ECi is genuinely interested in customer care. I am sure that this AD will cost them some serious money, so it speaks highly for their commitment to supporting their customers. It's always good to see that in a company.

Oh yes, I also asked what the underlying cause was for the problem. It turns out to be a machining issue, where some cylinder outer diameters (where they connect with the barrels) were slightly too large and therefore overstressed. There apparently is no issue with the metallurgy.

Now, on with building.....
Gunter

KirkGrovesRV8 01-04-2010 07:22 PM

I wanted to back up what Gunter said, I have 4 group A cylinders and although you DO NOT have to send them in I am. ECI has been great to work with and they do seem to care about what I want.
And like Gunter said its a machining issue not a metal issue

kevinh 01-04-2010 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KirkGrovesRV8 (Post 392968)
I wanted to back up what Gunter said, I have 4 group A cylinders and although you DO NOT have to send them in I am. ECI has been great to work with and they do seem to care about what I want.
And like Gunter said its a machining issue not a metal issue

Btw - Besides what the SB says, does anyone know more about group A? My cyls are in group A and show no sign of problem (yet?), but at some point I might get tired of 50 hr compression checks.

i.e. why are the group A cylinders included? Same fab? Same process? Some other reason?


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