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Date: Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:18:10 -0400
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From: "Bruce Gray" <bgray@glasair.org>
Subject: RE: [LML] Re: Performance Engines
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And the FSDO will say "Airworthyness has no meaning in an experimental
engine." I doubt if this shop is putting any of these mods on certified
engines/airframes.

Bruce
www.Glasair.org 

-----Original Message-----
From: Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of
vtailjeff@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 6:46 PM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] Re: Performance Engines

My recommendation to all that have been burned by this individual is to
contact the FAA and complain about the unairworthy product put out by
Performance. You might make a difference and save someone's life. start
with the FSDO in your area or his.

Jeff Edwards

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 6, 2010, at 4:37 AM, Mark Davis <marksdavis@cox.net> wrote:

> The recent posts regarding Performance Engines "issues" caused me to
again look at my own experiences with them.  These posts proved to be
the last straw that have now resulted in my losing complete confidence
in the Performance Engines Lycoming IO-540 installed in my Legacy.  I am
now in the process of having the engine overhauled, despite the fact
that it runs very well, with just over 100 hours time on it.  I can no
longer accept the potential but unknown risks that I must unfortunately
admit I've been rationalizing as minor issues for those 100 hours.
> 
> I originally chose to buy my engine from Performance based on positive
recommendations and a personal visit to their shop (quite impressive).
My first inkling of problems was while flow checking the fuel injection
system prior to first start.  The fuel side seal of the Romec engine
fuel pump (listed as overhauled on my purchase invoice) flowed fuel thru
the seal vent at least as fast as thru the injectors when using the
electric fuel pump.  I contacted Performance considering it a warranty
item to which they agreed.  I was told to remove and return the pump and
they would replace it within about a week.  Researching the fuel pump
I'd removed found that there was a recurrent AD on the model installed
on the engine that requiring re torquing the screws on the cover at
first 25 hours and then 50 hour intervals.  Given the location on the
engine and the significant hassle of complying with the AD, I first
asked Performance why I had not been provided a modified AD free pump
and was told that what I had was considered serviceable and met our
purchase contract agreement for all parts to be new or overhauled.  I
offered to pay the cost difference between the AD pump and am AD free
modified one.  This was verbally agreed to by phone and I was told that
I could expect to receive a replacement pump shortly.  That was the next
to last telephone contact I had with them.  I was then faced with no
further phone contact despite numerous calls which were either not
answered or not returned over a several week period (apparently similar
to recent post experience).  I then made a phone call using a friend's
phone which was answered right away.  After a short unproductive
discussion about when I might receive a replacement pump, I asked to
have my original pump returned and that I would deal with the problem
myself.  The pump was returned within about 2 days and I sent it to a
well known repair facility in OK.  As part of part of my return of the
original pump for the core charge, I was informed that, in their
opinion, the original pump had not, in fact, been overhauled and was not
serviceable.  This whole process cost me nearly $2K which I felt should
have been covered under warranty.
> 
> Since first startup the engine has leaked oil from all 6 cylinder
bases (heavier from cylinders 1 and 2 and weeping from the other 4).  In
addition there has been a case seam (parting line) leak forward of the
sump which is enough that after an oil change without running the
engine, a small amount of oil appears on the floor or cowling within
about a day under that area of the parting line.  I have tried some
sealing efforts on these leaks on the advice of several A&P's with
little success.  I have not contacted Performance as I will no longer
attempt to do any business with them.
> 
> After installing the newly overhauled fuel pump from OK noted above,
shortly after engine start, I found a few drops of fluid from the same
fuel pump seal vent line which, in this case, proved to be oil vice
100LL.  The seal from the accessory case drive to fuel pump continues to
have a small weep of oil.
> 
> My Legacy is now down for engine teardown and any necessary repair.
> 
> Mark Davis
> Legacy N422MD
> San Diego, CA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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