My engine, an IO 540 for an RV 10 was built in the beginning of 2016. The engine was stored inside a climate controlled environment until I hung it at the end of 2017. Airplane got its airworthy certificate February of 2018. During my recent oil change I found metal in the filter. No oil analysis had been done, I was going to send the first one in this oil change. After talking with the shop that built the engine (a trustworthy engine shop) I was told to pull the engine and bring it in for inspection because they believed the lifters were failing. Today it was confirmed. The lifters had severe Spalling. All lifters looked the same with the same severe Spalling. This also trashed the cam. The shop told me they have seen lifters sold by Superior from late 2015 into early 2016, having a high failure rate usually around the 250-500 hour mark. Mine failed between 260 and 300 hours. The shop said they believe Superior had some form of manufacturing issues for a short period of time during this period. I plan to call Superior to see if they are aware of this and if they will provide me with any support. I’m not expecting to much since they are out of warranty. I’m not bad mouthing Superior, but If your engine has Superior lifters installed during this time period you need to be aware of this potential problem. I should have started sending the oil sample in right after the break in period. Engine has operated for three years, with 300 hours, Cam Guard always used (excluding break in period) with Phillips oil. What I had found was small granules picked up with a magnet ran though the filter element. Nothing was is the oil screen. Probably to small to catch in the screen.
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