ENGRAVE YOUR ENGINE!!!

[Clive]

I read below of an engine being stolen. A couple of years ago you may have heard about a 3300 Jabiru engine being stolen in Belgium. Although originally thought to be a 'local job' it turned out to be a bunch of thieves from France.

Shortly after I engraved on the top of the crankcase on my 3300, twice, the registration of my plane. Big letters, not pretty but eye catching.
If we all did that the worth of a stolen engine would drop, cause it would have either, a registration on it which makes it traceable. Or is great scar where the low life had ground the reg off.
If the engine is sold on then engrave another registration next to the old one. If you're selling and engine the old reg on it won't be a problem as it will have traceable history in it's log book.

An engine could still be taken apart and sold for spares but the worth of that would be minimal and a low life advertising spares for an engine would generally be suspicious. If anyone was buying spares they could ask to see the old crankcase and so trace the history. Engine numbers are OK but they are never 'in yer face' where as a bit of Dremel grafitti is.

Can any one think why this isn't a good idea?

Regards, Clive

[G.Dawes]

Engraving the engine is a very good thing to do and also do it in a difficult to see place as well ,as that is a way they wont grind it off, but it remains unseen
I think that there may well be an aircraft somewhere witha terminal engine failure that need a replacement that only need the plate changing and it was taken or taken to order, They have little use except a plane.
an engraved engine has a better chance of recovery.
Low life live in all aspects of life.dont give them the chance.
Graham

[Steve Brown]

Good idea however I would suggest engraving in an area that is unlikely to be affected by high stress ie typically not around the cylinder base attach points or perhaps not around the main bearing boss near the prop flange.
TCM show a Service Bulletin M90-17 ref where cracks in critical areas are not weld repairable so that may be a good guide too.

http://www.tcmlink.com/pdf2/M90-17.pdf

Some text from another TCM SB

Data Plate Removal:
Exercise extreme caution to not mar or damage the crankcase during this procedure.

Each engine type will be different of course but just a thought.

[Kevin Dilks]

Please note that all ( Rotax) the main castings , gearbox and crank case etc and internal componants have a serial number which can be traced to the original engine, even on the non certified engines.

So if you are offered second hand parts ...................................