Do engines age out in years long before hours?

[nig71]

Looking around at aircraft for sale and a lot have very low hours but are getting on to ten years old. Is there a date they need overhauling regardless of hours run? Thinking of jabiru at the moment but also if it does apply , does it apply to rotax as well?

 

 

[bexrbetter]

No, but can have issues from sitting for extended periods such as oil seals and gaskets hardening up and leaking. Of course rust in bores can be an issue, all depends on the time periods between runs, how and where it was stored in those intervals as with any engine, car, plane or boat.

 

 

[ozbear]

Also depends on how clean the oil was at shut down byproducts of combustion can turn very corrosive over time ie sulphuric acid

 

 

[Head in the clouds]

Yes, the rules are the same as GA, they're required to be overhauled at 15yrs.

 

This can be ignored and they can be run 'on condition' if the aircraft is not a factory-built and is not being used for 'commercial purposes' i.e. flying training (commercial purposes probably includes glider towing but I'm not sure). Most aircraft that are being used for flight training burn up their TBO hours prior to the 15yrs but occasionally an engine comes on the market with good hours left, where they have become time-expired before hours-expired. A couple of engines like that were advertised/sold from Tasmania about a year ago.

 

If you intend to use timex engines 'on-condition' it needs to be carefully considered as some insurance policies are invalidated by doing so, even for private use.

 

 

[facthunter]

The engine should be properly inhibited if out of service for an appreciable period but there are so many factors. Was the engine fully hot when last shut down? Was the engine oil fresh or well over time for a drain?

 

Rust will start in steel cylinders quite quickly. If you park your aircraft in front of the clubhouse and then start it and taxy to the hangar, at sunseet and then don't fly it for a couple of weeks it could be in bad shape rust wise internally, even in that time.

 

Why ?No real amount of oil on cyl walls and Hydrocarbon + Oxygen = water and carbon dioxide.

 

Boroscope examination should detect this condition.

 

Motors are lifed on a time basis mainly for seal and gasket condition. CASA have a site on inhibiting engines. If you don't bother because you don't live near the sea, you can expect trouble. Nev

 

 

[nig71]

Thanks guys.

 

 

[rankamateur]

Also depends on how clean the oil was at shut down byproducts of combustion can turn very corrosive over time ie sulphuric acid

But since these by-products come from the burning of the fuel, doesn't the oil in an engine not doing any hours, not burning any fuel, not gather any by-product, so no acid.

 

 

[facthunter]

If the oil is contaminated as used oil is, then it coats your engine with a less than desirable quality oil. If it has just been changed it is in good condition. Nev

 

 

[ozbear]

But since these by-products come from the burning of the fuel, doesn't the oil in an engine not doing any hours, not burning any fuel, not gather any by-product, so no acid.

He said low hrs not nil hrs if it's new oil shouldn't be a problem in that regard