TCM cylinder recall

[kwmoore]

Affects cylinders made since November 2007:

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=1ce48530-8b50-40c2-af31-5de4fe6a16c6&

[JJbely]

Well,

I was concerned with an engine delivered close to that period. I didn't imagine how close...

My engine serial is 833664 and the bad batch starts at 833666.

Very close indeed.

JJ

[JJbely]

Well,

I was concerned with an engine delivered close to that period. I didn't imagine how close...

My cylinders serials ends at 833664 and the bad batch starts at 833666.

Lucky this time..

JJ

[kwmoore]

Now that's "dodging a bullet!" Great news for you! :)

My first 260se, 8367E, was ensnared by the TCM crankshaft AD. I was just a few serial numbers inside the window of affected engines. Sure enough, analysis of the flange core sample revealed I had a bad crankshaft. Thus, instead of a "Gold Medallion Engine" I had a "Fool's Gold Medallion Engine." :rolleyes: After only 13 hr of flying post-delivery, the plane was down for two months while the engine was shipped off to TCM for crankshaft replacement.

To their credit TCM covered the entire cost, and communicated reasonably well about status and estimated completion date (I imagine they were fielding a whole lot of "crank calls" at that time). However it was a rude introduction to the realities of aircraft ownership and I did get that "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" look once or twice on the domestic front. :(

[Alex Beylin]

Well, mine is inside the range and all 6 cylinders must be replaced. Faxed the paperwork to Continental - they said they will contact me sometime this summer with scheduling and location information where the work will be performed. I am expected to deliver / pick up the plane. Estimated downtime - 2 days (yeah, right!)

[kwmoore]

Well, mine is inside the range and all 6 cylinders must be replaced. Faxed the paperwork to Continental - they said they will contact me sometime this summer with scheduling and location information where the work will be performed. I am expected to deliver / pick up the plane. Estimated downtime - 2 days (yeah, right!)

:(:(:( Sorry to hear it.

Mike Busch had a recent CPA magazine article regarding some pitfalls with cylinder changes that you may want to read and convey to the shop doing the work.

[Alex Beylin]

Thanks - will look it up

Sounds like I won't have a choice of the shop that does the work if I want it done under warranty.

In my (limited) experience, once the engine gets a major change like that doen in the field, it will never be the same as what comes our of the factory reman. Pity.

[kwmoore]

In my (limited) experience, once the engine gets a major change like that doen in the field, it will never be the same as what comes our of the factory reman. Pity.
My only personal datapoint was the crankshaft swap in 67E's engine: afterwards it was fine and there was never another problem or even a hiccup. Hope yours turns out the same.

[kwmoore]

Just read on ANN (http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=9ba7b1dc-7602-458a-aa75-88be8ac53682&) that the cylinder recall now goes back to August 2006. This may overlap my IO-470's birth date I believe.

Alex, how did you determine whether your cylinders were affected or not?

[n2099x]

That will put my cylinders in the marginal area as well. I did a top overhaul in Nov/Dec 2006. It will depend how long my cylinders were on the shelf.

[Alex Beylin]

Just read on ANN (http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=9ba7b1dc-7602-458a-aa75-88be8ac53682&) that the cylinder recall now goes back to August 2006. This may overlap my IO-470's birth date I believe.

Alex, how did you determine whether your cylinders were affected or not?

My IA checked 4 of the 6 jugs during the annual based on the Continental documents and determined they were in the SN range. He submitted the form and now I am waiting for contact from Continental with a shop to go to for in-depth inspection and replacement if needed.

[kwmoore]

My engine was completed April 20, 2006 so it looks like I'm OK for the moment at least. :p

[kwmoore]

My engine was completed April 20, 2006 so it looks like I'm OK for the moment at least. :p
The plane is in annual at the moment. Thankfully, all minor stuff.

Except...the shop researched the cylinder recall vs. my cylinders and found out that I was but 5 engines away from the currently listed affected engines. :p

But, that may not be the end of it :eek: ...stay tuned.

[kwmoore]

Just out of annual and TCM has not yet expanded the serial number list to include my cylinders. Nonetheless the TCM rep seemed to imply uncertainty by recommending a dye penetrant inspection of the areas that would be affected at the next oil change. So, apparently OK for now but not a clean bill of health. Nonetheless I guess we should give TCM kudos for vigilance and willingness to devote time, discussion and recommendations to an owner of cylinders that are not covered by the SB.