Douglascharlie3
Registered User
You would think something as and simple as a Cub would be simple to own. Especially a new one. I have owned C-45's, DC-3's, C-400, C300, B-65, B50 etc. You get the idea. I'm over 100 hours of labor into this shiny new L CUB trying to fix the power plant, Titan 0340 stroker and the airframe. The latest started as a valve cover leak. ECI used cork gaskets that leak when they start wicking. The engine only has about 40 hours sense new. The engine also leaks at the oil pan/ rear cover, #1 cylinder base and blows an excessive amount of oil out the breather. Back to the valve covers. Upon removal I couldn't help but notice the grinding marks from the exhaust valve inside the cover. All 4 covers were the same. I tried contacting ECI for 2 weeks leaving messages with a description. Finally after many calls somebody answered the phone. They were ready for me. Instead of concern he asked me why I removed the valve covers. I told him and he accused me of not knowing what I was doing when I installed the covers. I reminded him that the engine was new and the valve covers were still off and they were to damaged to use. The FAA has just issued a very expensive AD because of a quality control issue. The AD concerns Rod bushing #LW-13923. Although the 340 is exempt it has the same part number and was assembled during the applicable dates. After ECI's response with the valve covers I don't think I would trust my life on ECI's integrity. A recall on the valve covers would be expensive. A rod bushing failure could be fatal. AOPA called ECI disgraceful.