I have four ECI exhaust valves that came out of a set of ECI Titan group A cylinders at 350 hours. Since the cylinders had to be destroyed we took out the valves and threw then in a box. I have recently been working on another engine project and just for kicks decided to run a micrometer over them.
I discovered that all four ECI valves were worn beyond limits. They all have 2-3 thou steps in them. I would not have expected that after 350 hours. In contrast the six genuine Lycoming valves I have out of another engine (2,200 TTIS) are worn less. Four out of the six show 1-1.5 thou wear, the others are at 2 thou. Anyone got any ideas why?
When we took these cylinders off they looked fantastic. compressions all 78/80, no deposits, pistons in great condition, nothing looked burnt. Now I am wondering if that really was the case.
The ECI engine was run with PMAGs and regularly LOP for 300 hours or so. The Lycoming had mags and was run LOP for the last 300 hours too.
The pictures below show the ECI valve on the left and Lycoming on the right for comparison. The Lycoming has had some cleaning, particularly deposits removed. The ECI has not.
Close-up of the base of the valves.
All four ECI valves from the engine from comparison, least wear from left to right. Note pink ink is the engineer's markings to reject the valve.
I discovered that all four ECI valves were worn beyond limits. They all have 2-3 thou steps in them. I would not have expected that after 350 hours. In contrast the six genuine Lycoming valves I have out of another engine (2,200 TTIS) are worn less. Four out of the six show 1-1.5 thou wear, the others are at 2 thou. Anyone got any ideas why?
When we took these cylinders off they looked fantastic. compressions all 78/80, no deposits, pistons in great condition, nothing looked burnt. Now I am wondering if that really was the case.
The ECI engine was run with PMAGs and regularly LOP for 300 hours or so. The Lycoming had mags and was run LOP for the last 300 hours too.
The pictures below show the ECI valve on the left and Lycoming on the right for comparison. The Lycoming has had some cleaning, particularly deposits removed. The ECI has not.
Close-up of the base of the valves.
All four ECI valves from the engine from comparison, least wear from left to right. Note pink ink is the engineer's markings to reject the valve.
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