Mark,
You have received some good advice on this
problem here on the LML. I can only encourage you to act on that advice. Finding
the manufacturer of the pistons should not be your goal. You do not want them in
your engine. It is unlikely that you will get any
help or support from Performance in this matter.
There are a few, and just a few, extremely
competent engine shops in the country. Amazingly, Performance was in this
esteemed category several years ago. I have heard a few theories as to what
caused the precipitous downfall of this once respected shop but I don’t really
know.
I too have
been burned by Performance. Because I had no confidence in their
engine, I had Barrett overhaul it before it had
ever even been started. They found serious problems such as an improperly
repaired oil pump housing that would probably have seized within the first few
hours. In addition there are the questionable pistons. It was rather unpleasant
paying for my engine twice, but it was the decision to do so that now gives me
the confidence to fly the engine in some fairly unforgiving situations.
Contact Barrett or one of the top shops that have
been recommended to you or consider trading in for a remanufactured engine from
Continental (probably the quickest solution). It will be painful, inconvenient
and expensive but in the long run, you’ll be glad that you did.
Best of luck with this. Let us know what you
decide to do.
Bill Harrelson
N6ZQ IV 600 hrs.
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 8:04 AM
Subject: [LML] piston used by Performance Engines in
TSIO-550?
I recently experienced high temps in one cylinder in my ES-P.
During the last hour of a four-hour flight, oil pressure went from 41 down to
17. On landing I found that I had lost 7 quarts of oil, with four
remaining. When cylinder was removed and inspected, it was determined that one
of the piston rings was worn and another one was stuck which would account for
high crankcase pressure and hence the oil loss. It was also noticed that
the piston is non-TCM, and oddly has only three rings, whereas apparently all
modern pistons have four rings.
We are having trouble determining the manufacturer of the piston. Is there
anyone out there who has run into a similar situation with Performance Engine
pistons and might have information as to the manufacturer of the pistons they
used in TSIO 550s? Also, we need to be certain of the compression
ratio. Understood that standard ratio in turbo 500 series is 7:5:1 but
wondering if Performance Engines might have done something to alter that.
Many thanks,
Mark Finkelstein
Pecan Plantation, TX
N36YZ