I will try to respond to the questions below. Remember I'm not an exper= t on=20 this and most of my info is in the rumor category. Hopefully, one of the eng= ine=20 guys here will clarify things.=20

Jim Hergert
N6XE (An Sexy)

Jim,

maybe I missed something. Has cause been= =20 found on the lifter problem? Is there a known serial number rang= e=20 that has the problem?

thanks,

Colyn

This lifter problem has not been that consistent and has shown up rando= mly.=20 I first heard about it a couple of years ago in the Duke Lycoming=20 engines. My understanding is that Eaton Corp. and very large supplier o= f=20 Cam/Lifters to both Lyc. and TCM as well as many automotive engines, al= ong=20 with other parts. So Eaton is the source of the parts. I have heard that aft= er=20 they changed form having them built in Brazil to the Chek Republic that they= =20 started having some lifters disintegrate. Looks like shattering from being=20 brittle/too hard. I suspect that Eaton pays for some of the warrantee claims= .=20 But no one is talking.

Jim

Could someone tell me if us IO550 owners sh= ould be=20 concerned about our pistons if we're not turbocharged? (Refering to the stam= ped=20 pistons).

Don Grabiel ES N722B

I think most of the piston problems have been in the turbocharged engin= es=20 but the first SB was for the stamps on the top edge of the pistons and they=20 could cause a problem. All 550's have the longer stroke and have different=20 pistons with the thinner tops. If you do the Topcare inspections than it can= be=20 watched with the borescope.

Jim

Jim,

Be sure to give us an upda= te on=20 the lifter
disintegration problem. Of the five other engines=20 you
mention, is problem only with the=20 TSIO-550E????

Art Jensen
I know of a Baron engi= ne=20 that had the same problem IO 550 and some Duke Lyc. They turn at a higher RP= M=20 and that must be hard on Lifters. Other folks may know more than me on=20 this?

Jim

Jim,

The CSB specifically= =20 states to return all affected piston stock to TCM for
replacement. Again,= the=20 date of this CSB is July 2004. Looks like we are not
the only ones caught= off=20 guard.

Ed Rosiak
That was when they were talkin= g=20 about the Top of the piston. Then they started stamping them on the bottom w= rist=20 pin boss. Now those are not good and if found should or must be replace= d=20 according to TCM. Not an AD though.

Jim Hergert
N6XE (An=20 Sexy)