("stol" wrote)
So here comes round number three. Too bad they don't have the three
strike rule in aviation.

http://www.lycoming.textron.com/support/publications/maintenancePublications/serviceBulletins/SB569.pdf


Today's AvWeb lead story:

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/586-full.html#191678
Lycoming Woes Continue: 5100 Crankshafts To Be "Retired"

(From the link)
"In previous recalls totaling some 2400 crankshafts, Lycoming has paid for
the engine work to various degrees, even reimbursing owners for hangar
expenses and loss of use in the 2003 recalls. Not this time. Owners affected
by the crank retirement will get a discount deal on the replacement
crankshaft -- $2000 for the shaft, plus a box full of free parts such as
gears, bearings, piston ring sets, connecting rod bolts and nuts and seals.
But they're on their own for engine assembly, repair and reinstallation,
which field overhaul shops tell us will add another $4000 to $5000 to the
job if the crank is replaced proactively or before the engine reaches
routine TBO. Further, owners will have to ship the retired crankshaft back
to Lycoming to obtain the discount price, also at their own expense. The
$2000 offer applies to crankshafts for any engine and is substantially below
list price for a new part, especially for six-cylinder engines."

"Lycoming says it will ramp up production of replacement crankshafts but as
in previous recalls, priority will go to government operators and Part 121
and Part 135 operators, with private owners last. What's not known is if
this recall withdraws all of the potentially defective crankshafts from the
market. (We queried Lycoming about this but haven't received a reply yet.)
The crankshafts in question were manufactured between March of 1997 and
March of 2002."


Montblack