[quote="CParker"]...my last oil analysis showed high iron but the previous IA dismissed the result without any action....This engine only had 1200 hours on it but was overhauled in ‘92 and sat (albeit in Arizona) for a few years....don’t take “eh it’s probably nothing” for an answer..../quote]

^^^High iron in oil combined with described inactivity is an important clue; disappointing the inspector did not pursue further.

FYI, Continental provides FREE access to their SBs & SILs at
http://www.continental.aero/support/service-bulletins.aspx
including the pertinent
http://www.tcmlink.com/pdf2/SID05-1B.pdf

That makes sense. He definitely should have pursued the higher iron content.

A1Skinner wrote:That makes sense. He definitely should have pursued the higher iron content.

What steps would an experienced IA take? Borescope the cylinders? Pull the lifters to look at them and the cam lobes? Anything else?

Ross

I'll take a stab at your question, from what I understand yes it would be followed up with borescoping to assess the condition of the engine.

Airplanes aren't much different than real-estate, I got a good deal on my plane but it appraised today for over three times what I bought it for three years ago. Insane. That being said, it looks like my bank will facilitate the process of getting the engine overhauled so I'm getting the process started.

I'd really love to get the -50 upgrade done, but the thought of $25k+ over the basic overhaul (that additional cost figure includes the required new prop) on a plane I know I won't have forever just doesn't compute. I'm going to go with a standard overhaul at Lycon with the porting/flow balancing upgrade.

I'm really happy to finally have this issue put to bed. I learned a lot.

pipeliner wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:That makes sense. He definitely should have pursued the higher iron content.

What steps would an experienced IA take? Borescope the cylinders? Pull the lifters to look at them and the cam lobes? Anything else?

Ross

Ya, I think pulling a jug would have been the best thing at that point. I'm really torn on engine oil samples. I've had them work, and I've had them show nothing. This makes me think I should be pushing my customers towards them again.

A1Skinner wrote:

pipeliner wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:That makes sense. He definitely should have pursued the higher iron content.

What steps would an experienced IA take? Borescope the cylinders? Pull the lifters to look at them and the cam lobes? Anything else?

Ross

Ya, I think pulling a jug would have been the best thing at that point. I'm really torn on engine oil samples. I've had them work, and I've had them show nothing. This makes me think I should be pushing my customers towards them again.

When you say, pull a jug, are you just thinking the lifters? Can't you get a good handle on the condition of the cylinders with a borescope? No good way that I know of to borescope the cam & lifters, so the lifters would need to be pulled for that, correct? Thanks........Ross