Failed Eddy Current Inspection

[lamont337]

Lucky me.

 

I was having my 100 hour prop hub ECI taken care of during a tank reseal and got the word on Thursday that it failed. There is some type of anomaly that shows up but the hub has yet to be disassembled. Prop shop basically gave me two options:

• New hub: $5500 and assumes my blades can be overhauled. New hub eliminates recurring AD
• Top Prop: $9100 with $1K trade-in

Good thing I was only having one tank resealed. Did a lot of searching on the used marked over the weekend (ebay, barnstormers, trade a plane, etc.) but haven't really seen any realistic options. I'm honestly leaning toward the Top Prop its just seems like there might be other options out there.  Different brand? Anyone parting out a plane with a non-AD hub? Just trying to make an informed purchase. Even if I found a used hub it would still have to be OH'd or yellow tagged for them to install it.

 

-B

 

 

[piperpainter]

Im getting a top prop for $6500 if my blades are good....$8500 if I have no trade in/they aren't good..... In Oregon KTTD check em out! 

[lamont337]

Im getting a top prop for $6500 if my blades are good....$8500 if I have no trade in/they aren't good..... In Oregon KTTD check em out! 

That doesn't sound right. Didn't think you could use old blades and end up with a Top Prop. Do you mean just a new suffix hub/overhaul for $6500 using the old blades?

 

Oddly enough the plane is at KTTD and that is probably the same shop.

[Parker_Woodruff]

I'd get the Top Prop

[Alan Fox]

He is talking about the cost after trade in value,....

[kerry]

Brian, I got my top prop for $7800 out of Florida. No trade in was required.

[kerry]

My old hub is at a prop shop in Idaho.  When I sent prop for OH my hub was good.  It was my blades that weren't usable.  Maybe you can send your blades to Boise and they can make you up a good prop.  I think their price for OH was $2,500.

[ryoder]

I somehow remember the prop shop quoting a much lower price than that if my hub failed.

[Alan Fox]

I may have a good used old style hub if you want it fairly inexpensive..

[Guitarmaster]

Here's an example of a failed one.  This flew into the shop  

 

[bonal]

Here's an example of a failed one.  This flew into the shop  

 

IMG_20150205_105658579.jpg

Yikes!

[DaV8or]

Can you send your prop to another shop for a second opinion? Their solutions sound a little fishy to me.

[Guest]

Lucky me.

 

I was having my 100 hour prop hub ECI taken care of during a tank reseal and got the word on Thursday that it failed. There is some type of anomaly that shows up but the hub has yet to be disassembled. Prop shop basically gave me two options:

• New hub: $5500 and assumes my blades can be overhauled. New hub eliminates recurring AD
• Top Prop: $9100 with $1K trade-in

Good thing I was only having one tank resealed. Did a lot of searching on the used marked over the weekend (ebay, barnstormers, trade a plane, etc.) but haven't really seen any realistic options. I'm honestly leaning toward the Top Prop its just seems like there might be other options out there.  Different brand? Anyone parting out a plane with a non-AD hub? Just trying to make an informed purchase. Even if I found a used hub it would still have to be OH'd or yellow tagged for them to install it.

 

-B

Check with the folks at Flight-Resource in Wisconsin. They remove Hartzells from Aviat Huskies then install a new MT prop, some times they have low time ones available.

Clarence

[Alan Fox]

Overhauled old style for 4000 if interested...

[HRM]

Lucky me.

 

I was having my 100 hour prop hub ECI taken care of during a tank reseal and got the word on Thursday that it failed. There is some type of anomaly that shows up but the hub has yet to be disassembled. Prop shop basically gave me two options:

• New hub: $5500 and assumes my blades can be overhauled. New hub eliminates recurring AD
• Top Prop: $9100 with $1K trade-in

Good thing I was only having one tank resealed. Did a lot of searching on the used marked over the weekend (ebay, barnstormers, trade a plane, etc.) but haven't really seen any realistic options. I'm honestly leaning toward the Top Prop its just seems like there might be other options out there.  Different brand? Anyone parting out a plane with a non-AD hub? Just trying to make an informed purchase. Even if I found a used hub it would still have to be OH'd or yellow tagged for them to install it.

 

-B

 

When I had my ECI-required hub OH'd serious corrosion was discovered. 30+ years took it's toll 

 

The prop shop suggested that I get a used hub identical to what I had and do the Hartzell mod on it.

 

It wound up significantly cheaper than any other course of action. When the rebuilt prop was returned to me it looked like a brand-new unit.

 

Jordan Propeller in San Antonio.

[lamont337]

Thanks everyone. I still have a few emails out there for quotes but will most likely end up going with a new Hartzell. Should have a decision in a few days and will be sure to let you know how it plays out.

[Guitarmaster]

What is the Hartzell mod??

[DaV8or]

What is the Hartzell mod??

 

I'd like to know too. I'm guessing it's putting the new Top Prop scimitar blades on an older hub. Nice idea if it saves money and actually works.

[Andy95W]

What is the Hartzell mod??

I thought the mod was to fill the hub with red-dyed oil and seal it. If no red dye leaks, then no cracks.

Edit- just read Daver's post. Yeah, what he said!

[flyntgr1]

My guess is they are talking about filling the hub with red dyed oil. This way if a crack forms, you will know right away. It eliminates the eddy current requirements, but doesn't eliminate the pontifical for a crack to form.

[Andy95W]

"Pontifical" for a crack to form?

I'm not Catholic, so I had no idea the pope had so much power. Perhaps I should convert...

[flyntgr1]

Yeah, I turned off the IPhone auto correct after that post.  I meant to say Potential .

[Yetti]

The relevant documents in play here are

 

From SB-61-269 REv 6 it looks like the ECI is on a 100 hours basis. 

There is also a terminating action of the reoccurring inspection if you fill the hub with red oil dye in accordance with Hartzell Service Letter HC-SL-61-273

 

With a college degree and a high reading comprehension level, I would think the SBs would be easier to read.  

[ryoder]

You do pretty well for a Neanderthal like bipedal creature.

The relevant documents in play here are

 

From SB-61-269 REv 6 it looks like the ECI is on a 100 hours basis. 

There is also a terminating action of the reoccurring inspection if you fill the hub with red oil dye in accordance with Hartzell Service Letter HC-SL-61-273

 

With a college degree and a high reading comprehension level, I would think the SBs would be easier to read.

[ryoder]

I was told by the prop guy that this procedure stinks as the hub was meant to hold grease not oil. He said the oil comes out even if there is no crack resulting in a grounded airplane. I still might want to try it though.

I thought the mod was to fill the hub with red-dyed oil and seal it. If no red dye leaks, then no cracks.

Edit- just read Daver's post. Yeah, what he said!