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01-04-2010, 08:29 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Paradise,Pa S37
Posts: 735
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Ok here is what I know 
The problem is the cylinder head to barrel interface, It's not an issue with the metal. ECI told me (and a bunch of other folks) that you don't need to send the group A cylinders in just keep an eye on them, personally I want to know for sure that they are OK. ECI is working on a AMOC (alternate means of compliance) that entails die testing it for cracks separating the cylinder head from the barrel taking measurements and by either plating or milling making sure everything is correct and reassemble the cylinder. So from my very simple mind if the FAA signs off on this AMOC your group A cylinders will be free and clear (if you have them looked at) if the FAA does not sign off then you still got to do the 50hr checks.
All of this is just my take on what I was told, so if you are like me and have group A cylinders you just have to decide what you are comfortable with.
Me... personally I am going to be conservative and have the AMOC done, I don't want to look back and say "oh maybe I should have had them looked at"
Anyway just my take on it 
And to try to answer Kevin's question they have had 30 group A cylinders separate so that is why it has been included in the AD,
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All the Best ;-)
RV-8
RV-9 once the kids are older
Last edited by KirkGrovesRV8 : 01-04-2010 at 08:32 PM.
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01-04-2010, 10:05 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Mateo, CA
Posts: 1,419
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Good response Kirk. I'll hang out for a while with the 50 hr inspections if/when AMOC is announced, then I'll think again...
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01-05-2010, 01:24 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: santa barbara, CA
Posts: 1,682
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50-hr compression checks
I was a little confused from the AD on one point regarding the group A cylinders from paragraphs (B) and (E). Do they want you to do compression tests every 50 hrs regardless of how many hours are on the engine, or do you only have to start the 50-hr tests after you exceed 350 hrs of engine time?
thanks
erich
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01-07-2010, 09:52 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cedar Park, TX
Posts: 3,156
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Just to follow up after a week worth of discussion in my household. (just in case there is any monkey see, monkey do.) We have decided to replace all of our Group A and Group B ECI cylinders. The engine builder's serial number documentation was a little out of whack so I ended up pulling a couple of baffles to check numbers. I didn't expect to have to be doing that so soon. We have three Group A and one Group B. ECI is totally covering the cost of the Group B cylinder. I'm very happy with that. They would prefer to just do a repair on the Group As, so otherwise they're just providing a discount on replacing those. The cost still hurts but we've chosen a slightly more expensive path with this for our own good reasons.
__________________
Scott Card
CQ Headset by Card Machine Works
CMW E-Lift
RV-9A N4822C flying 2200+hrs. / Cedar Park, TX
RV8 Building - fuselage / showplanes canopy (Done!)
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01-14-2010, 10:51 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 36
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What should I do?
My ECI cylinders are in group B. The most recent AD calls for replacement of these cylinders at 350 hours. I have over 350 hours on them.
I spoke to ECI earlier this week and they said they would replace my old ones with new ones for a total cost of $480.
I just spoke to them this morning to make arrangements for shipping and was told they now intend to rework and return the old cylinders for all experimentals rather than replace with new. They would do this at no cost, other than shipping. They say this alternate means of compliance has been submitted to the FAA, but not yet approved.
I'm not comfortable with this. Not only would my plane be grounded for several weeks (or months?) what I would end up with are the old cylinders that still do not comply with the AD, unless the FAA aproves the alternate means of compliance.
My thoughts/options are:
- Replace the ECI cylinders with Lycoming, all at my cost, and get an attorney to try and recover from ECI.
- Follow the inspection recommendations in the AD and continue to fly; there are no indications of problems now.
- Go with ECIs propsed rework of the old cylinders and hope the alternate means of compliance works.
- Or ????
What do you all think?
Dave C
RV 7 grounded
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01-14-2010, 12:07 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cedar Park, TX
Posts: 3,156
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Jugs off, Jugs on.

__________________
Scott Card
CQ Headset by Card Machine Works
CMW E-Lift
RV-9A N4822C flying 2200+hrs. / Cedar Park, TX
RV8 Building - fuselage / showplanes canopy (Done!)
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01-14-2010, 05:18 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: I live in on the Rosamond Skypark (CA) and am married to Victoria (Tuppergal).
Posts: 982
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave C
My ECI cylinders are in group B. The most recent AD calls for replacement of these cylinders at 350 hours. I have over 350 hours on them.
I spoke to ECI earlier this week and they said they would replace my old ones with new ones for a total cost of $480.
I just spoke to them this morning to make arrangements for shipping and was told they now intend to rework and return the old cylinders for all experimentals rather than replace with new. They would do this at no cost, other than shipping. They say this alternate means of compliance has been submitted to the FAA, but not yet approved.
I'm not comfortable with this. Not only would my plane be grounded for several weeks (or months?) what I would end up with are the old cylinders that still do not comply with the AD, unless the FAA aproves the alternate means of compliance.
My thoughts/options are:
- Replace the ECI cylinders with Lycoming, all at my cost, and get an attorney to try and recover from ECI.
- Follow the inspection recommendations in the AD and continue to fly; there are no indications of problems now.
- Go with ECIs propsed rework of the old cylinders and hope the alternate means of compliance works.
- Or ????
What do you all think?
Dave C
RV 7 grounded
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For what it's worth: I have 605 hours on my Group B cylinders, no problems whatsoever...but I spent $480+ the Monday after the AD came out, Rosie
__________________
Paul A. "Rosie" Rosales
Rosamond Skypark (L00), CA
RV-6A, 4200+ hours since 7/4/2000
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01-14-2010, 05:35 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cedar Park, TX
Posts: 3,156
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosie
For what it's worth: I have 605 hours on my Group B cylinders, no problems whatsoever...but I spent $480+ the Monday after the AD came out, Rosie
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I'm glad to see we're in good company. Tanya wants to fly over large bodies of water IFR (I Follow Rosie). We'll be flying in another week or so.
__________________
Scott Card
CQ Headset by Card Machine Works
CMW E-Lift
RV-9A N4822C flying 2200+hrs. / Cedar Park, TX
RV8 Building - fuselage / showplanes canopy (Done!)
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01-14-2010, 07:07 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Paradise,Pa S37
Posts: 735
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scard
I'm glad to see we're in good company. Tanya wants to fly over large bodies of water IFR (I Follow Rosie). We'll be flying in another week or so.
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Us too we want to take some big trips in the spring, going to the Bahamas again, even thou we have group A cylinders I still sent them in for the AMOC 
__________________
All the Best ;-)
RV-8
RV-9 once the kids are older
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01-15-2010, 10:14 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 73
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I think that it is really BS that ECi is trying to treat experimentals differently than certified engines. If we buy cylinders from ECi, don't we pay the same price and expect the same reliability? I was told the same thing right after the AD can out that for $485 ECi would replace all four Group B cylinders. But a couple of days later they told me that now they would only "rework" my old cylinders (in direct violation of the AD). Maybe a class action will be needed to force ECi to make our engines as "safe" as those so called certified airplanes.
Hindsight being what is is, I wish I had ordered a true Lycoming from Vans. Maybe a few more dollars, but a lot less problems.
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