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  #121  
Old 03-06-2012, 08:25 AM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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Scott is 100% right about the AMOC - I confirmed it yesterday on the phone with ECI - it was never approved. The four new cylinders I have en route are Lycomings.... which is what our new engine on the RV-3 was built with as well.

I was really pleased about a decade ago when ECI came on the scene and gave us an alternative to Lycoming parts. With no competition, Lycoming quality control had deteriorated to "abysmal". many of us in the GA world switched over to ECI and Superior parts. Lo and behold, the laws of economics were not lost on Lycoming, and they responded to the loss of market share by getting their products straight again.

Every manufacturer has problems now and again. How they respond to those problem is important. I'll buy parts from whomever is doing the best job at the time!

Paul
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  #122  
Old 03-06-2012, 08:26 AM
TX7A TX7A is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scard View Post
Nope. That went down the tubes, and Tanya is still Pissed about it . Tanya has some Group A and Group B cylinders for sale...
When I went down to ECi a year ago, they felt 'certain' that they would get the AMOC. I returned my four 'B' cylinders & got back two of different serial numbers and two of the same serial numbers that I presume were "reworked". I was feeling 'okay' about the deal. But now, hearing that the AMOC wasn't approved, I'm starting to feel a little like Tanya. I may have to re-think this whole me$$. What next??!!!
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Last edited by TX7A : 03-06-2012 at 09:32 AM.
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  #123  
Old 03-06-2012, 09:26 AM
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erich weaver erich weaver is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TX7A View Post
I returned my four 'B' cylinders & got back two of different serial numbers and two of the same serial numbers that I presume were "reworked". I was feeling 'okay' about the deal. But now, hearing that the AMOC wan't approved, I'm starting to feel a little like Tanya. I may have to re-think this whole me$$. What next??!!!
Me thinks you should be asking ECI that. I suspect they will do something for you on the Group B cylinders once you make it clear you are not satisfied and dont intend on dropping it. Let us know how it goes.

erich

P.S. You will want to check out the August 2010 Kitplanes article by Amy Laboda for some clues on how to negotiate with ECI

Last edited by erich weaver : 03-06-2012 at 09:47 AM.
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  #124  
Old 03-06-2012, 09:43 AM
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N941WR N941WR is offline
 
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Default NTSB: Action needed on ECi cylinders

Posted by GAN two days ago:

Quote:
Originally Posted by GAN
The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that the FAA require repetitive inspection of some cylinder assemblies on Teledyne Continental Motors Model 520 and 540 engines not covered by existing airworthiness directives issued following engine failures, according to a report at AOPA.org.

The report quotes the Feb. 24 safety recommendation, noting the NTSB said it wants the FAA to “require repetitive inspection of Engine Components, Inc. cylinder assemblies produced between May 2003 and October 2009 (serial numbers 7709 through 52884) installed on Teledyne Continental Motors model 520 and 550 engines and removal of these cylinder assemblies once they reach the engine manufacturer’s recommended normal time (hours) in service between overhauls.”
While not Lycoming engines, it doesn't look good for ECi.
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  #125  
Old 03-06-2012, 01:45 PM
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frankh frankh is offline
 
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I started doing compression checks on my group B's..then forgot all about this issue until i read this thread.

I'm getting close to doing the wobble test so i might as well do another compression test at that time.

Has anyone actually had a failure of a group B cylinder?????
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  #126  
Old 03-06-2012, 02:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight View Post
Scott is 100% right about the AMOC - I confirmed it yesterday on the phone with ECI - it was never approved. .....

Paul
Probably because it wasn't really technically feasible.

See my post from over 18 months ago...

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...&postcount=106
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Last edited by az_gila : 03-06-2012 at 02:34 PM.
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  #127  
Old 03-06-2012, 02:50 PM
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Rick_A Rick_A is offline
 
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I did 4 Group B cylinders almost exactly 1 year ago. I had about 250hr total time on the engine when I filed the warranty claim.

I felt like ECI treated me very well. They gave me the option of sending my cylinders in first and paying the amount of my pro-rata share when the sent my the replacement or paying full price up front and getting a refund of the amount above the pro-rata charge. I wanted to do the work with as little down time as possible, therefore, I opted to pay for 4 new cylinders upfront. This way, I was able to remove and re-install the new cylinders on the same day.

They gave me an allowance for labor, which brought my total out-of-pocket cost down to about $430 for all 4 cylinders. It did take them the full amount of time they told me it might to process the refund (about 10-12 weeks) but in the end, I did get refund.
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Last edited by Rick_A : 03-06-2012 at 02:52 PM. Reason: re-word for clarity
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  #128  
Old 03-06-2012, 03:01 PM
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frankh frankh is offline
 
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Well I just wrote to Mattituck to see if they have the serial numbers on my cylinders.. I will see what ECI are willing to do for me..Engine was first run in 2006 with about 500 hours on them now.

Not looking forward to the answer but I will be happy to be surprised. I think from memory mine were all group B cylinders.

Groan!
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  #129  
Old 03-06-2012, 03:45 PM
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erich weaver erich weaver is offline
 
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I have no personal experience removing cylinders, however....

Mike Busch is adamant that removal of multiple cylinders simultaneously is an extremely invasive procedure that can have very undesirable results if not done correctly. This is due to relieving of compression on the case when the the through-bolts on the cylinders are removed. I believe the concern may be regarding the potential for subseqeunt misaligment with the crankshaft berings when the new cylinders are installed, but I am not 100% sure on this. While Mike is a highly respected A&P, he says he will not do this procedure himself on his own plane, let alone someone elses. He recommends it only be done by well-qualified shops experienced in building engines.

Dont mean to pour doom and gloom on anyone, just passing along his opinion. Might be worth a few calls to engine shops to see what they say as well.

erich
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  #130  
Old 03-06-2012, 04:33 PM
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frankh frankh is offline
 
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Looks like my A&P buddy who was going to help me with the wobble test maybe helping in a different way..
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