Anybody here have experience running an o-550.... Right now I have the io-550 in my 206 which is nearing overhaul time . I'm getting sick of hot start issues . ( I know how to do a hot start and don't want to get into different techniques here)Killing the battery in a remote location is always on my mind and is unnerving every time I shutdown .For those of you who have operated the O -550 . , is it a good way to go or would you recommend against going that route ?Also any other pros and cons that you know of would be helpful . Thanks in advance for the knowledge that will hopefully make me a more informed really expensive engine purchaser .

Well u certainly can't put a carburetor on a 206 for one thing... As far as how a 550 with a carb starts I think they do just fine. All tho it's not 110 ever up here.

So o-550 not approved for 206 install ?... Well if that's the case , I guess my research won't be a very long process .

My guess is that a 206 engine mount arrangement would not allow for the installation of a carburetor.

Huh? -You want to get rid of one of the most sought after engine packages for a GA single OK, -To each there own, but before you go down this road, let me ask the following. Have you upgraded your battery to a Concorde RG-35 AXC? Do you have relatively new battery cables running to and from the battery and starter. (No old OEM crap) All your grounds are low resistance? Ground straps between the engine and mount/firewall in place and not missing? Injection set up properly? I wouldn't trade my IO-550 in my Wagon for any other motor package out there. Short of turbine power, it doesn't get any better.

Low Rider,
Call and chat with the folks at Sky Tech. I stopped by their booth at Oshkosh to talk about starters and instead ended up looking at their new technology to prevent hot start issues on the big Continentals. I won't attempt to explain it, but it is going to be light and under a $1,000. I walked away very impressed and committed to watch it develop. It's supposed to be certified within the year. Worth a look!

Hendo wrote:Low Rider,
Call and chat with the folks at Sky Tech. I stopped by their booth at Oshkosh to talk about starters and instead ended up looking at their new technology to prevent hot start issues on the big Continentals. I won't attempt to explain it, but it is going to be light and under a $1,000. I walked away very impressed and committed to watch it develop. It's supposed to be certified within the year. Worth a look!

Do you mean Sky Tec, the starter folks?

Also take a look at the electroair electronic ignition. They claim better fuel burn and easier hot starts. May be worth it...

Learn to hot start the engine. I worked that airplane/engine combination for 1500 hours plus, with multiple stops and restarts in some of the nastiest, most bug infested swamps around, and often with temps in the mid nineties and higher. And I'm talking 100 miles from the nearest road or town. Never got even vaguely concerned whether it would start or not.

If you really are having starting problems, maybe you need to take the thing to a shop that knows how to set them up properly. Fuel flows need to be higher than spec'd, for one thing.

Great engine, and I can't imagine putting a carburetor on one, even if it were legal.

MTV

I know how to do a hot start and I have never actually ended up stranded somewhere after killing the battery because I could not get her going .Its just a bitch sometimes and seems like a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the system. Also having other pilots flying the airplane that can't seem to figure it out puts even more unnecessary wear and tear on it . Was just weighing my options to see if there was a better way .....

If you are having that much trouble or taking that much time to hot start it, and you have the hot start procedure down, I'd consider having a good mechanic look at it. You could have a timing issue, or ???
As others have noted, is your battery up to snuff?

As to other pilots having problems starting it.......I wouldn't let them fly it unless they clearly demonstrated the skill to start it properly. Actually, if it were me, and I owned it, I wouldn't let other pilots fly it, but that's me....

An alternative if you're really unhappy with it would be to trade it for one of the amped up 182s, but you'll miss that cargo door.

MTV

Not unhappy with it . Was just asking if anyone has experience with an 0-550 .I love the Io- 550 , it's my favorite engine I have ever owned so far. It would just be nice if it would start as easy as the 0-470 did in my 180 .

I for one don't blame you for researching your options low rider. I'm sure there are operators out there that can get them fire on the first try every time without issue. However, for those of us mere mortals that have found themselves in a bad situation because of a mistep, I see no issues with exploring your options. The system I referenced above is called the istart system. It was at the Sky-tec booth, but it appears it may be a separate company. They have their own website: http://istartair.com/ The video is pretty informative. Again, the system is not certified yet but should be within the year. Best of luck!

Nice one Hendo , Thanks for the info .I appreciate it .

I have had many failed flow dividers. Rather then Shutting off the flow at 3psi ? They can continue to dribble fuel into the engine flooding the heck out of it making them a bear to start. Also as others suggested maybe you got some magneto issues as well...