Just in case you missed the good news.

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The FAA has issued its final rule on the controversial airworthiness directive that will require the replacement of cylinders on 6,200 high displacement Continental engines. It takes effect on Sept. 15. The AD, which scraps thousands of aftermarket cylinders made by ECi was initially proposed in 2013 for 520, 550 and some 470 model Continentals that had ECi cylinders installed. The agency said there were too many reports of cracks and cylinder head separations involving the cylinders and wanted all of them sold between September of 2002 and June of 2009 replaced.

The AD caused a storm of protest from owners, engine shops and manufacturers and prompted a long consultation process by the FAA. Even the NTSB opposed the scope and breadth of the AD. In the end, after several modifications, the agency has determined that the 6,200 engines will need all their cylinders replaced at a total cost of $88.5 million for U.S. owners, or about $11,520 per engine. It determined that a manufacturing defect is the root cause of the issues and that adding engine monitors or schooling pilots in correct operation of the engines won't be enough. There are also thousands of affected engines in other countries and normal practice is for other jurisdictions to adopt ADs like this.

More Info at the following Link: http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/ECi-Cylinder-AD-Takes-Effect-Sept-15-226803-1.html

Ouch!!!

Well gee Wiz............... Now thats its over (knock on my wooden head) I just happen to have had six of those lovely cylinders on my airplane.>>>>>> I am now flying behind a Signature Engines overhaul about 25 hrs into breakin .(so far so good) .The reason for my overhaul was that I did indeed have the pleasure of the cylinder come apart while flying .Timing on it coming apart was about as good as it could be ..Unfortunately when things come undone while in the air they promptly destroy things around them.Ect..................soooooo many parts in an engine.Hoping my 'New One' runs strong for a long time ..................

This is a serious boon to the other cylinder manufacturers, of which there are only 2.

I gather there is no compensation for owners of these doomed jugs.
Perhaps Continental will make their own jugs available to ECI owners at a reduced price.....just a thought.

Ya I'm curious how ECI is getting away with not having to provide at east some compensation for affected owners. I have 2, possibly 3 affected cylinders on my 180. At least I have up to 1000hrs TIS to replace them, and since they only have 200 on them right now, I should be good for at least 5 years...
Sure won't ever put ECI cylinders on another plane again.

Eci got bought out by TCM (continental) who is owned by the Chinese. You can no longer buy eci cyl for continentals. So I wouldn't hold my breath.

I had to compile with the AD. Mine are low hours and have been pulled during my case overhaul. Have until there reach 1000hrs until they need to be replaced. A real pain in the ass


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Tom wrote:Eci got bought out by TCM (continental) who is owned by the Chinese. You can no longer buy eci cyl for continentals. So I wouldn't hold my breath.

I believe, or rather read in another thread, that they retooled the ECI manufacturing line and rebranded the cylinders as "Airboss for CMI." So I guess those are the new ECI cylinders for Continentals.

Teledyne is no longer an owner. It is now "Continental Motors, Inc," although "TCM" is still somewhat accurate as the new Chinese holding company is called Technify Motors.

Tom wrote:Eci got bought out by TCM (continental) who is owned by the Chinese. You can no longer buy eci cyl for continentals. So I wouldn't hold my breath.

Right, I had heard ECI got bought out. Still, shame on continental for not stepping up. Sure would be good marketing ploy if they helped us out...

a3holerman wrote:Perhaps Continental will make their own jugs available to ECI owners at a reduced price.....just a thought.

Ha! Continental rarely even warranty their own junk cylinders, I can't imagine they'll help out in this case...

ECi saw the writing on the wall some time ago, no doubt CMI bought the IP and tooling for a bargain price. FWIW, we're getting a good run out of Superior cylinders at the moment.
I'm becoming quite reluctant to recommend any brand cylinders or engine overhauls to customers now. Seems no matter what, there's an issue somewhere that the manufacturer or overhaul shop refuses to warranty. I might make $200 retailing a new cylinder and then lose $1000 pursuing warranty for the guy I sold it to...

Sorry, been a long week!

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/1 ... ail#226803

From the linked Avweb article:
" The AD, which scraps thousands of aftermarket cylinders made by ECi, was initially proposed in 2013 for 520, 550 and some 470 model Continentals that had ECi cylinders installed".

The wording in this clip ("520, 550, and some 470 models") makes it sound like maybe it's only applicable to just the bigger cylinders. Might be that the only 470's affected are those with a 520 conversion done to them--ala Ponk, Texas Skyways, etc. What does the final AD actually say?

hotrod180 wrote:http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/102/3415-full.html?ET=avweb:e3415:290941a:&st=email#226803

From the linked Avweb article:
" The AD, which scraps thousands of aftermarket cylinders made by ECi, was initially proposed in 2013 for 520, 550 and some 470 model Continentals that had ECi cylinders installed".

The wording in this clip ("520, 550, and some 470 models") makes it sound like maybe it's only applicable to just the bigger cylinders. Might be that the only 470's affected are those with a 520 conversion done to them--ala Ponk, Texas Skyways, etc. What does the final AD actually say?

The AD includes 470's that have been modified by STC to use 520 cylinders. It doesn't specifically name PPonk or TS, but it is clear that if you have a -470 with 520 cylinders, then you are included in the AD.

The actual text, for reference, is:

"These cylinder assemblies are used on all CMI model -520 and -550 reciprocating engines, and on all other CMI engine models approved for the use of model -520 and -550 cylinder assemblies, such as the CMI model -470 when modified by supplemental type certificate (STC)."

Chris

OK, as I thought-- stock displacement O-470's are not included in this AD.
Good news for some of us anyway.

O-470's are in fact not included in this AD note, and furthermore, just because you own a TS or Pponk with ECI's doesn't necessarily mean you will be affected either... I happen to own a Pponk that has unaffected ECI's, and happen to be very happy with them.

This is a direct cut and paste of the part and serial numbers from AD note for anyone interested.

This AD applies to the following Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) models 520 and 550 reciprocating engines, and all other engine models approved for the use of CMI models 520 and 550 cylinder assemblies such as the CMI model 470 when modified by supplemental type certificate (STC), with Airmotive Engineering Corp. replacement parts manufacturer approval (PMA) cylinder assemblies, marketed by Engine Components International Division (hereinafter referred to as ECi), part number (P/N) AEC631397, with ECi Class 71 or Class 76, serial number (S/N) 1 through S/N 33696, or S/N 33697 through S/N 61176, installed on, but not limited to:
(1) IO-520-A, -B, -BA, -BB, -C, -CB, -D, -E, -F, -J, -K, -L, -M, -MB, -N, -NB, and LIO-520-P.
(2) TSIO-520-A, -AE, -AF, -B, -BB, -BE, -C, -CE, -D, -DB, -E, -EB, -G, -H, -J, -JB, -K, -KB, -L, -LB, -M, -N, -NB, -P, -R, -T, -U, -UB, -VB, -WB, and LTSIO-520-AE.
(3) IO-550-A, -B, -C, -D, -E, -F, and -L.
(4) IOF-550-B, -C, -D, -E, -F, and -L.Show citation box
(5) Other engines using CMI models 520 and 550 cylinder assemblies, such as the CMI model 470 when modified by STC.


Having had a non related cylinder failure in flight, my heart aches for anyone else who has had a cylinder failure in flight, having said that, since there is virtually no cylinder manufacturer today who hasn't experienced failures, and since the number of failures on ECI's don't surpass anyone else, I have to agree with the masses of mechanics and professionals who believe this is a classic heavy handed CYA move on the part of the FAA... One more pinch on a failing GA..

Take care, Rob

So I’m playing a little catchup on this issue and looking for some answers. I got an email from the previous owner on my 205 that I bought in early 2016 saying he thought it might be applicable. Somehow this never showed up on my radar. So I’ve got a couple of questions:

I have a logbook entry in 2009 saying that 6 “owner supplied” ECI nickel titan cylinders were installed. I’ve got an invoice from AERO for 6 cylinders. Other than that, I’ve got nothing showing a part or serial number to reference. What are my options? I’ve read that the serial numbers are under the valve cover. Is that right? Am I going to have to pull all of the valve covers? Or maybe a call to AERO? Not sure if their records would have serial numbers for something sold. And lastly, were pretty much all cylinders by ECI included during that time frame? I’m getting the feeling I’m screwed here. About 680 on the cylinders now.

Thanks for any insight.

I think I’ve answered some of my questions. I came across this layman’s terms explaination. Although it’s geared towards twin Cessnas, most of it is good info for anyone. Of course maybe I’m the last to know, but there must be others out there unaware. The previous owner that clued me in discovered it during a search for a Bonanza. So it seems there are planes out there...maybe up for sale...where seller and buyer may be unaware. Anyway, here it is.

https://www.twincessna.org/pdf/ECi-cylinder-AD8-2016TonyComments.pdf

Grassstrippilot wrote:I think I’ve answered some of my questions. I came across this layman’s terms explaination. Although it’s geared towards twin Cessnas, most of it is good info for anyone. Of course maybe I’m the last to know, but there must be others out there unaware. The previous owner that clued me in discovered it during a search for a Bonanza. So it seems there are planes out there...maybe up for sale...where seller and buyer may be unaware. Anyway, here it is.

https://www.twincessna.org/pdf/ECi-cylinder-AD8-2016TonyComments.pdf

Cory, most shops keep the info for 10 years. If you call and five them the invoice number they should he able to supply you with the serial number, or better yet, should be able to say yay or nay on weather they are affected or not.
Hope for you that you're not!

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Thanks. I’ll give them a try. From that link I found, the serial number might be visible if they were one if the more recent cylinders. Of course, it says if it isn’t stamped whee it’s easily readable, then it’s one that definitely falls under the AD. I’m guessing I’m hosed...but have about 330 hours to comply. So 3 years or so. Freakin government.

Grassstrippilot wrote:Thanks. I’ll give them a try. From that link I found, the serial number might be visible if they were one if the more recent cylinders. Of course, it says if it isn’t stamped whee it’s easily readable, then it’s one that definitely falls under the AD. I’m guessing I’m hosed...but have about 330 hours to comply. So 3 years or so. Freakin government.

They are usually stamped at the base, but when installed the stamp is on the bottom side of tge engine (tiwards the sump) and it's terrible to read. Even if not affected, it's a major pain to see. Someone should clue in and start stamping the other side so it's visible when installed...

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