ECI Valve guide problems

3958v · Post by **3958v** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:47 pm

I have a C145 with 365 hrs SMOH with new ECI cylinders and I have had 2 valve guides go bad and was wonering if any one else was experiencing the same problems. Bill K

Curtis Brown · Post by **Curtis Brown** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:17 pm

Yeah, I had some problems with exhaust valves. Giving me low compressions. They fixed two of them under warranty less than 100 hrs. after overhaul. Then I had another one do the same after 180 hrs and they paid for that. Then a stucking valve this summer with about 350 hrs. I replaced and the valve and I paid for it. It is a crime that aviation engines will not operate trouble free like my rice burning car engine.

cessna170bdriver · Post by **cessna170bdriver** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:10 pm

Now you tell me!

I have 6 new ECI Titans in the box awaiting some very slow parts overhaulers and suppliers so I can assemble the engine.

Are the ones having problems Titans, or Classic Cast?

Miles

Dave Clark · Post by **Dave Clark** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:38 pm

There is a big AD that just came out on ECI cylinders for the Lycoming parallel valve O-360/540. The problem is cylinder cracking with some 30 failures in flight. Since I didn't build my current engine I had to run to the hangar to check mine out. Turns out I have Superior, whew

Sorry Miles but it does seem that ECI might have a bit more problems than most.

N170BP · Post by **N170BP** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:31 am

Some well-known overhaulers take brand new cylinders (no matter
where they come from) completely apart and "blueprint" them before
hanging them on a customer's case (I think Quack does this).

I have heard it is said that they always find "something" wrong that,
un-corrected, would likely cause a warranty condition/problem down
the road....

Joe Moilanen · Post by **Joe Moilanen** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:47 am

For what it's worth I had 3 exhaust valve guides go bad in the first 200 hours on Superiors. One was after only 25 hours.

Joe

Dave Clark · Post by **Dave Clark** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:10 pm

Joe Moilanen wrote:For what it's worth I had 3 exhaust valve guides go bad in the first 200 hours on Superiors. One was after only 25 hours.

Joe

Yeah Joe, Ford vs. Chevy

Relax Miles, the reality is you pays your money and takes your chances.

Dave

zero.one.victor · Post by **zero.one.victor** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 4:43 pm

I have the ECI "Classic Cast" cylinders on mine. I have had one stuck exh valve (last summer) in about 800 hours of operation. I reamed the guide in place, after removing the valve via the rope trick. No further trouble.

Eric

Post by **Bruce Fenstermacher** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 6:17 pm

Miles if I were you I'd probably want to take off the valve springs and at least look to see the valve guides are reamed to the tight tolerance.

3958v · Post by **3958v** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:36 pm

Miles I suspect you may be fine. I would be surprised if they did not come up with the Titans for no good reason. I think I may replace one side of mine with the Titans and leave the other side go till I have more problems. I have two bad ones now and one of them was rebuilt 85 Hrs ago so I am not rebuilding any more as that costs half the cost of a new cylinder and has no warranty. I was going to try another brand but they seem to be having their problems too. Sure seems sad that after 60 years we cant be doing a better job. Bill K