CD 155 Engine Issue

[JennyOXX6]

My engines are low time, less than 200 hours. They have been very reliable and worked flawlessly. In March I had a low coolant light. Upon uncowling, I obviously had a coolant leak. It took many test flights and engine cleanings, and finally a snake wand camera to confirm a leaking head gasket. No coolant was found in the oil, no white smoke, no over heating issues, no other complications, just an obvious head gasket failure. Now to the point. Continental would not acknowledge any responsibility but would not sell Southtec a new head gasket. They made us buy and install a whole new head with revised timing. Now twenty hours more time and my right head gasket has failed in the identical spot, right front corner. I am going to have to install a new head at Continentals direction on the right engine. No factory support, no acknowledgement of a factory issue. Consecutive serial numbered engines. Factory just released a European AD on the CD170 saying there are head antifreeze corrosion checks required. Anybody having similar problems with their CD155s. Mine are used full power to 500’ on takeoff then never over 80%. These engines are very well maintained.

[Steve]

I don't believe in coincidence. Two identical failures in low time engines points to either material defect or an assembly issue. The fact that they made you buy a new head indicates to me that they had a bad batch of heads, from which your engines were (unfortunately) assembled. I am assuming that your engines are out of the warranty period, but I would still pursue an accommodation from Continental. Sorry for your troubles.