coming up to 2000 hours on 1995 MX7 180B engine

[Sam Rutherford]

I'm about 250 hours from this 'magic' moment (or about 1 year). What have people done with their engines, and what are the pros/cons of the options?

I'm new to this game, and am trying to find the cost balance between safety/common sense/long term saving/short term saving etc.!

Thanks, Sam.

[a64pilot]

If it's running fine, with good compressions etc. and if you are allowed to in Europe, I think I would keep running it. Usually there are indications of an engine getting worn out like losing oil pressure when hot, low compression etc.
I tore my IO-540 down at 1800 hours because of a prop strike and almost everything checked out to new tolerences. I overhauled it anyway, but it was no where near needing it.

[maules.com]

I have seen the 235hp maule engines often go to 2400tt and the most I know of is 3300hrs.
The 180hp is a solid contender for over 2200 hours. Regular oil/filter changes, oil analysis, filter checks, compression checks, oil pressure and oil usage all tell what the engine is doing to itself.
Low rpm operations or low rpm engines mean that the various pieces of metal are passing eachother less frequently, thus less wear, ie. the Lyc 540 at 2400rpm max usually operated at 2100 or 2200 will last longer than a 2700rpm max run at 2400 or 2500 rpm.

[Kirk]

Personally I wouldn't fly in remote areas on the dark continent with a 2000 hour engine. But I was a lot younger when I was over there and did things far more stupid so you might luck out and be fine.

Problem is, I don't think I'd want to try out a freshly overhauled engine in Africa either

Kirk

[belandd]

There is no reason to overhaul this engine if you have maintained it properly and you take the time to measure the parameters that have been listed above.

I would add doing run out and end play. That will give you your thrust bearing condition

These are strong engines and there is no reason not to operate it on condition.