IO-550 TBO extended

[Cruiser]

Continental extended the recommended TBO on the IO-550G (and others) from 2000 hours to 2200 hours on new and factory rebuilt engines. See SIL98-9C here http://www.continentalmotors.aero/uploadedFiles/Content/xImages/TBO Page SIL98-9C.pdf

part of Continental's decision was based on this:

" TBO periods were established on most CMI engines beginning in the 1960s. Since that time, CMI has made significant engineering improvements to virtually all major engine components. CMI has refined manufacturing processes and implemented computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining tools enabling CMI factory engines to meet higher standards than possible when CMI engines were originally granted FAA Type Certificates. These improvements have enabled CMI to increase TBO limits for many of our new and rebuilt engines."

In addition, engines run consistently more than 40 hrs per month will add an additional 200 hours for a total of 2400 hrs. TBO. This statement along seems to suggest frequent, steady flying is good for your engine.

This change and the philosophy of MIke Busch on engine management makes a good case for continuing to run the IO-550 beyond the long established 2000 hours many of the currently in service engines are operating on. 

Has anyone considered these changes when looking at used airplanes with high time engines "near" the traditional 2000 hr. TBO ?

What premium, if any, should an owner expect in pricing their airplanes with these engines?

[carusoam]

It is icing on a beautiful cake...

Do you pay more for the icing?

who 'gets' to fly their O 40 hours a month?

Overall, it sounds like something I can't have because it doesn't meet how I operate.

My intention of flying past TBO has come up short with other things happening in between.

Best regards,

-a-

[jetdriven]

Is the engine truly better, or is the stated TBO just that, a statement. There are still lots of CMI engines needing a whole top overhaul at 800 hours.  

[MB65E]

Haha!! But how many top overhauls!!

Funny thing is I have not heard Mooney owners complain about top overhauls. Only TC Bonanza and TC Cirrus drivers. They run whatever the max book values are and complain about why the cylinders only last 500hrs

-Matt

 

[LANCECASPER]

1 hour ago, Cruiser said:

Continental extended the recommended TBO on the IO-550G (and others) from 2000 hours to 2200 hours on new and factory rebuilt engines. See SIL98-9C here http://www.continentalmotors.aero/uploadedFiles/Content/xImages/TBO Page SIL98-9C.pdf

part of Continental's decision was based on this:

" TBO periods were established on most CMI engines beginning in the 1960s. Since that time, CMI has made significant engineering improvements to virtually all major engine components. CMI has refined manufacturing processes and implemented computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining tools enabling CMI factory engines to meet higher standards than possible when CMI engines were originally granted FAA Type Certificates. These improvements have enabled CMI to increase TBO limits for many of our new and rebuilt engines."

In addition, engines run consistently more than 40 hrs per month will add an additional 200 hours for a total of 2400 hrs. TBO. This statement along seems to suggest frequent, steady flying is good for your engine.

This change and the philosophy of MIke Busch on engine management makes a good case for continuing to run the IO-550 beyond the long established 2000 hours many of the currently in service engines are operating on. 

Has anyone considered these changes when looking at used airplanes with high time engines "near" the traditional 2000 hr. TBO ?

What premium, if any, should an owner expect in pricing their airplanes with these engines?

The fine print is that if the 2200 hours is within 12 years that is the TBO. Of course if it's within 5 years (40 hours per month avg) then the TBO is 2400. Both of these figures are highly unlikely for most GA owners. 

[jetdriven]

2 hours ago, MB65E said:

Haha!! But how many top overhauls!!

Funny thing is I have not heard Mooney owners complain about top overhauls. Only TC Bonanza and TC Cirrus drivers. They run whatever the max book values are and complain about why the cylinders only last 500hrs

-Matt

 

Not necessarily true.  beechtalk is full of Bonanza guys with all models who have bad cylinders at 800 hours.  Some have even taken to sending their zero-time factory engines to Powermasters in Tulsa, to have the cylinders pulled off and the valves re-machined.  And from what the feedback from those owners is,  what comes from the shop, that the valves are very sloppily fit which causes them to slide then burn. Nothing the pilot does will change that. 

Edited June 6, 2016 by jetdriven

[MB65E]

Sounds about right, my 500hr comment was a bit low. Any Beech talk guys that go to TBO on their cylinders? I know the 550s had an prior issue with the valve seats getting loose with high temps. 

Anyways, glad Continental extended their TBO. 

-Matt

[StevenL757]

Good original writeup and questions.  The new CMI TBO times have been in place for about 2 years now.  The 2200 and 2400-hour timeframes appear (among other things) to be a "reward" of sorts for the operator who flies the airplane consistently.  I'm sure there may be additional value to an airplane having one of these engines, but the real payoff seems to go to those who tend to put more time on the airplane in a short period; i.e. 300-400 hours yearly.

A pilot's perspective...not a mechanic's, so only my $0.02, based on my experiences.

[Guest]

It sounds like they've copied parts of Lycomings SI1009 with regards to longer TBO with higher use.  I don't see how it effects most private operators in the U.S. or Canada, where the TBO SB is not enforced.

In my experience most engines corrode away long before they wear out, spalled lifters and junked camshafts kill more engines than cracked cylinders.

Clarence