Engines go bad if they sit?

[Vik]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Yes, the plane is cheap enough that should the engines fail the pre-buy, I will just get the plane for even cheaper.

Right now I am assuming the engines are dead, even though they are at 1,100 hrs SMOH (2000 hr TBO).

I am having a specialist with this type of airplane do a pre-buy on it. He is going to do compression tests, oil analysis and has a whole game plan setup.

The plane is cheap and my offer is cheaper. I plan to refurb it and fly it around, build multi experience and enjoy it.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[pilotjc]

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[avbug]

Dragonbravo,

Sometimes I wish the requirement for a compression check would go away. Pilots hear about them and think they mean something, when in fact they mean nearly nothing. That your compression went up says nothing about being a "rustsickle," or otherwise. It only lends you a false sense of security that the engine hasn't developed rust. Rest assured, it has.

An engine oil analysis is certainly in order. You should be a whole lot more interested in that than a compression test.

Always pulled the props through by hand, started it every few weeks, changed the oil regular

Of those three things, only one is benificial. Pulling through by hand is damaging most definitely not benificial (removes oil from cylinder walls and adds unnecessary wear, and reduces protective films during the actual start proceedure). Starting the engine every few weeks is dandy...so long as it's run to operating temperature and kept there long enoug. Also, every few weeks isn't really enough.

Right now I am assuming the engines are dead, even though they are at 1,100 hrs SMOH (2000 hr TBO).

The 2,000 hour TBO doesn't really apply to anything but a first-run engine, or a factory reman. Especially due to the varying nature of what constitutes an "overhaul" or even a major overhaul, don't ever count on or project making "TBO" on an overhauled engine, excepting a reman.

It's my uneducated understanding that Continentals suffer from neglect more than Lycoming. Anyone know better?

Yes...that's wrong. All engines suffer from neglect. All suffer equally, all else being equal. Neglect a dozen different engines in the same manner, and note that they all face the same challenges.

Other than simply looking at the engine, additional issues must be addressed. It's unlikely that if the airplane hasn't been flown regularly, it hasn't been kept up with maintenance, including airworthiness directioves, applicable service bulletins, inspections, etc. Further, seals harden and crack, hoses must be replaced. Sitting is very hard on an airplane; much, much harder than flying. Good luck!

 

[low-n-slow]

Can damage be done to a turbine engine from sitting idle for long periods of time also?

 

[Catbird]

Piston A/C- Corrosion pitting lifter surfaces. Leads to expensive problems later. Requires a knowledgeable mechanic to inspect. Rebuilt doesn't necessarily mean rebuilt in the A/C engine business.