Local Engine Overhaul

brien23

brien23

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What value is a local engine overhaul over a factory or big name overhaul shop. Small local A&P overhaul of engine, mags, carb,starter,vac pump and exhaust system. How much does this add to the price of a used plane for sale
if the plane you plan on buying is 2K miles away. Most local overhaul engine problems should they happen are going to require it be returned to the guy that did the work, or if he will back up his work or blame it on someone else who did work for him. Of what value is that going to be for someone on the other side of the country. I know their are local overhauls that are great and will go over TBO with no problem others need a top overhaul in 600 hr. If it's not factory or big name overhaul what is it worth to figure what a plane is worth.
 
Who knows.

The size of the shop has little to do with the quality compared to who is doing the work. Of course it's easier to sue a big shop after they screw up.

I'd just ask for references and look at past work, the work speaks for itself.
 
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James331 said:
Who knows.

The size of the shop has little to do with the quality compared to who is doing the work. Of course it's easier to use to big shop after they screw up.

I'd just ask for references and look at past work, the work speaks for itself.
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So you value a local overhaul the same as a factory or big name overhaul shop.
 
All depends on who is doing the work.

If the local guy has a proven track record, sure
 
brien23 said:
So you value a local overhaul the same as a factory or big name overhaul shop.
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Value as in selling price? I would say it depends on the engine and the overhauler, lots of variables. I wouldn't be keen on a GTISO motor overhauled by Fred in his garage, but a fairly simple 0-200 overhauled by a local mechanic with a good reputaion, not a problem.
I do think people place a higher value on name brands vs unknown brands whether it be engines or pocketbooks.;)
If I were buying, I would prefer to have a name brand overhaul for warranty purposes, assuming it's still in warranty. :D
 
Depends on the plane and the buyer.

A 0 SMOH engine by Joe Mechanic doesn't mean much to me, I'll treat it as an unknown. You saying "But Joe is awesome!" doesn't help, because every seller will say that. It will differ on plane, yes.

I'd only use local Joe if I wanted to keep the plane for at least a while. You won't get your money back out of the overhaul anyway.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Depends on the plane and the buyer.

A 0 SMOH engine by Joe Mechanic doesn't mean much to me, I'll treat it as an unknown. You saying "But Joe is awesome!" doesn't help, because every seller will say that. It will differ on plane, yes.

I'd only use local Joe if I wanted to keep the plane for at least a while. You won't get your money back out of the overhaul anyway.
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Ted assuming that Joe is a great mechanic and does an great job at overhauling,do you agree that the "local field over haul by Joe the Mechanic" only matters for resale value and not safety?
 
AdamZ said:
Ted assuming that Joe is a great mechanic and does an great job at overhauling,do you agree that the "local field over haul by Joe the Mechanic" only matters for resale value and not safety?
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Absolutely agree.

I would've done the 310's engines with my A&P if I'd had the time.
 
brien23 said:
What value is a local engine overhaul over a factory or big name overhaul shop. Small local A&P overhaul of engine, mags, carb,starter,vac pump and exhaust system. How much does this add to the price of a used plane for sale
if the plane you plan on buying is 2K miles away. Most local overhaul engine problems should they happen are going to require it be returned to the guy that did the work, or if he will back up his work or blame it on someone else who did work for him. Of what value is that going to be for someone on the other side of the country. I know their are local overhauls that are great and will go over TBO with no problem others need a top overhaul in 600 hr. If it's not factory or big name overhaul what is it worth to figure what a plane is worth.
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Does a Factory warranty transfer owners? If not it's the same crap shoot with the second owner having a better chance with the field overhaul than factory.
 
AdamZ said:
Ted assuming that Joe is a great mechanic and does an great job at overhauling,do you agree that the "local field over haul by Joe the Mechanic" only matters for resale value and not safety?
Click to expand...

Most definitely, the potential certainly exists to not only get an equal, but superior job from Joe local mechanic. None of this stuff I'd rocket science, it's all basic wrench turning and attention to detail. There is no great quality control mechanism at the factory that makes it innately superior, and then there is a factor of unknown quality persons doing the actual work. He might have 20 years experience turning wrenches and running machines, he might have 2 days.:dunno:
 
The previous owner had an overhauled engine installed. The overhaul was done by a community college. No issues that are in the log books or that I have had with it.
 
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