Opinions on the Continental IO-240 engine

[Deltawidget]

Hi all,

Was just wondering what experience people have had with the IO-240 engine. I'm having difficulty coming up with information on it, specifically, if it has a reputation for making it PAST TBO... Seems that most of the operators of the IO-240 engine are flight schools operating the DA20, which is the aircraft I'm evaluating at the moment. I currently operate a Piper Warrior with the O-320 Lycoming and we have had a good experience so far, and are likely to get to or even past TBO. Anything to watch out for on the IO-240?

Thanks for any opinions and responses.

[AEROBAT]

The Formula One guys have told me the cases are too weak to be any advantage over the O-200.

[madtraveller]

I heard they have fuel injection problems too.

[HS-748 2A]

There is an interesting SDR posted at the bottom of this page:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/c ... s-1150.htm


'48

[straightpilot]

From SDR # 20050915001:

Merely replacing one component after another until the problem goes away is not an acceptable method of troubleshooting

Reminds me about a decade ago, a very large and prestigious flight school had a rough-running engine on a twin. Their very large and prestigious AMO changed the prop governor. When that didn't work, they changed the carburetor. When that didn't work, they changed both mags and harnesses. Etc. I forget what they eventually found was the problem. For all I know, it could have been a bad spark plug or two.

Gotta love the shotgun / $50,000-limit credit card approach to diagnosing maintenance problems. This is exactly the sort of expense you need to keep under control, if you are to survive as a flight school.

[avyonx]

I know this was a big deal when I worked at the factory.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/c ... 02-427.htm

[akoch]

I know one aircraft that had the altitude compensation system, and they elected to convert it and remove this system after experiencing rough idle etc. This is one of the local flight schools with the DA20s. From what know it resolved the issue. The other DA20s I came across did not have this system.

The other thing I heard of is that the IO-240 engine benefits from fuel system tune ups for the winter and summer operations (different fuel flow calibration). This affects the folks in the interior, Ontario etc. Not the Pacific Coast, due to the milder weather.

In comparison to some other engines I have some experience with the IO-240 is a bit rough (certainly not silk smooth like a Rotax or Thielerts) and heavy, but gets the job done.