Late To The ECI Cylinder Party.....

[Geico266]

I have searched and read a ton of threads about ECI and replacing cylinders. I am coming late to the party, but need some help understanding where a specific set of cylinders fits into this situation.

I am looking at an RV with an IOX-360-A4H9N with ECI Cylinders S/N # 51990-13, 52121-25, 52204-15, 52122-05

There is a "Safety Recommendation" dated February 24th, 2012 in which these cylinders are reported to have had 29 crack related failures yet they seem to be not included in the "recall".

1. Am I reading this situation correctly?
2. If I am reading this situation right then it seems to be just a matter of time before these cylinders are included in the "recall"?
3. Will they need a 50 hours inspection or will they need to be replaced?
4. Are ECI cylinders ever going to overcome these failures? It just seems to be getting worse and includes more and more serial numbers.
5. What is the impact on resale and value of RVs?





Any advice and information appreciated.

[Walt]

The only AD on ECI/Lycoming cylinders is: 09-26-12
Below are the details from the AD.
The letter from the NTSB that you referred to is for Continental cylinders.
Your cylinders are not affected.


2009-26-12 ENGINE COMPONENTS, INC. (ECI):
Amendment 39-16151. Docket No. FAA-2008-0052;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-01-AD.

EFFECTIVE DATE

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 4, 2010.

AFFECTED ADS

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-19-05, Amendment 39-15672.


(1) The applicable cylinder assembly serial numbers (S/Ns) are S/N 1138-02
through S/N 35171-22 (referred to in this AD as Group "A" cylinder
assemblies); and

(2) S/N 35239-01 through S/N 42179-30 (referred to in this AD as Group "B"
cylinder assemblies).


ENGINES OVERHAULED OR CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES REPLACED SINCE NEW

(g) If your engine was overhauled or had a cylinder assembly replaced
since new, do the following:

(1) Before further flight, inspect the maintenance records and engine
logbook to determine if the overhaul or repair facility installed ECi
cylinder assemblies, P/N AEL65102, with cylinder head, PN AEL85099,
S/N 1138-02 through S/N 35171-22, or S/N 35239-01 through S/N 42179
-30, in your engine.

(2) If your cylinder assemblies are not ECi, P/N AEL65102, no further
action is required.

(3) If your cylinder assemblies are ECi, P/N AEL65102, but the S/N is not
listed in this AD, no further action is required.

(4) If the cylinder assemblies are ECi, P/N AEL65102, and if the S/N is
listed in this AD, do the following:


GROUP "A" CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES; S/N 1138-02 THROUGH S/N 35171-22

(i) For Group "A" cylinder assemblies:

(A) Perform an initial visual inspection as specified in paragraphs (h)
through (i) of this AD, and an initial compression test as specified
in paragraphs (j) through (m) of this AD, within the next 10 operating
hours time-in-service (TIS), if the cylinder assembly has 350 or more
operating hours TIS on the effective date of this AD, but fewer than
2,000 operating hours TIS.

(B) Perform an initial visual inspection as specified in paragraphs (h)
through (i) of this AD, and an initial compression test as specified
in paragraphs (j) through (m) of this AD, within the next 10 operating
hours TIS, or before exceeding 350 operating hours TIS, whichever
occurs later, if the cylinder assembly has fewer than 350 operating
hours TIS on the effective date of this AD.

(C) Replace cylinder assemblies installed in helicopter engines within the
next 25 operating hours TIS after the effective date of this AD if the
cylinder assembly has 1,500 operating hours TIS or more on the
effective date of this AD.

(D) Replace cylinder assemblies installed in airplane engines within the
next 25 operating hours TIS after the effective date of this AD if the
cylinder assembly has 2,000 operating hours TIS or more on the
effective date of this AD.

(E) Perform repetitive visual inspections as specified in paragraphs (h)
through (i) of this AD, and repetitive compression tests as specified
in paragraphs (j) through (m) of this AD, within every 50 operating
hours TIS.

(F) Replace cylinder assemblies installed in helicopter engines that pass
the visual inspections and compression tests, no later than 1,500
operating hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.

(G) Replace cylinder assemblies installed in airplane engines that pass
the visual inspections and compression tests, no later than 2,000
operating hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.

GROUP "B" CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES; S/N 35239-01 THROUGH S/N 42179-30

(ii) For Group "B" cylinder assemblies:

(A) Perform an initial visual inspection as specified in paragraphs (h)
through (i) of this AD, and initial compression test as specified in
paragraphs (j) through (l) of this AD, within the next 10 operating
hours TIS.

(B) Replace the cylinder assembly within the next 25 operating hours TIS
after the effective date of this AD if the cylinder assembly has 350
or more operating hours TIS on the effective date of this AD.

(C) Replace cylinder assemblies that pass the initial visual inspections
and compression tests, before exceeding 350 operating hours TIS after
the effective date of this AD.

[Geico266]

Thanks Walt! Always appreciate your input.

If the cylinders are not affected by the recall the value of the engine should not be affected, but is there a general mistrust of cylinders ECi now?

[Walt]

Originally Posted by Geico266

Thanks Walt! Always appreciate your input.

If the cylinders are not affected by the recall the value of the engine should not be affected, but is there a general mistrust of cylinders ECi now?

No more than Lycoming cranks IMO

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by Walt

No more than Lycoming cranks IMO

Walt makes the point I usually do - every one of our suppliers of engine parts (all three of them) for Lyclones have had AD's. They happen. If you focus on them by sinlge cases, you'll come to the conclusion that you need to buy a Subie....no AD's on them!

[Geico266]

Good points Paul & Walt. I guess its the hazards of having the flying habit.

Are there any Subbie 8s?

[RV6_flyer]

Originally Posted by Geico266

Are there any Subbie 8s?

There use to be one at Chino. The guy had so many problems with the Subbie he pulled it out and installed a Lycoming.

[SHIPCHIEF]

As a guy who built a non Lycoming Engine, I can say that having a little help with identifying problem parts can be a good thing. On my unique engine, I look to a smaller group of enthusiasts when my parts are common to them, and figure out the rest myself.
I also have a couple of Lycomings in my life, where I notice parts are more expensive in $, but you can get them right away. That's nice. Out of Service for Long Periods is expensive too.