Engine Inspection & Overhaul
Engine Inspection & Overhaul is a core knowledge area on the AMT — Powerplant FAA written exam. This hub collects our 16 in-depth, ACS-aligned engine inspection & overhaul articles — each written in plain English and grounded in the official FAA handbooks. Work through them below, then drill the topic with practice questions.
Top Overhaul vs Major Overhaul Criteria
A top overhaul addresses cylinder assemblies only, while a major overhaul disassembles the entire engine to service limits — understanding the distinction is essential for AMT certification and safe engine maintenance.
FAA-Approved Engine Overhaul Data Sources
FAA-approved engine overhaul data sources define exactly which documents an AMT may legally use when overhauling a reciprocating or turbine aircraft engine, and understanding them is critical for both airworthiness and the mechanic certification exam.
Engine Logbook Entries and Airworthiness Records
Engine logbook entries and airworthiness records document every inspection, repair, alteration, and overhaul performed on an aircraft engine, forming the legal backbone of its continued airworthiness under 14 CFR Part 43 and Part 91.
Magnetic Chip Detector Inspection Procedures
Magnetic chip detectors capture ferrous metal particles in engine oil, serving as an early warning system for internal wear or failure; proper inspection procedures are critical for engine health monitoring and airworthiness.
Engine Inspection Intervals and TBO Requirements
Aircraft engine inspection intervals and TBO requirements govern when powerplants must be inspected or overhauled, balancing safety with regulatory compliance for AMT certification.
Borescope Inspection Techniques for Engine Cylinders
Borescope inspections allow AMTs to examine engine cylinder interiors without disassembly, revealing wear, corrosion, scoring, and combustion deposits that affect airworthiness.
Compression Testing: Differential Compression Test Procedure
The differential compression test is the standard FAA-approved method for evaluating cylinder health in reciprocating aircraft engines, revealing worn rings, valves, and cylinder walls through regulated air pressure and leakage measurement.
Propeller Flange and Crankshaft Runout Inspection
Propeller flange and crankshaft runout inspections verify that rotating components are true within tight tolerances, preventing vibration, structural fatigue, and catastrophic failure during engine operation.
Engine Mount Inspection and Crack Detection Methods
Engine mounts are the critical structural link between the powerplant and airframe; thorough inspection using visual, dye-penetrant, magnetic-particle, and eddy-current methods is essential for airworthiness.
Oil Analysis Programs and Spectrometric Oil Analysis
Spectrometric oil analysis (SOAP) detects microscopic metal particles in engine oil, enabling early identification of internal wear before catastrophic failure occurs.
Engine Cleaning Methods Before Inspection
Engine cleaning is a critical first step before any inspection or overhaul, ensuring contaminants are removed so technicians can accurately assess component condition and detect defects.
Visual Inspection of Engine Cylinders and Valve Train
A thorough visual inspection of reciprocating engine cylinders and valve train reveals wear, cracks, corrosion, and clearance issues before they cause in-flight failures—covering barrels, heads, valves, springs, and rocker assemblies.
Dimensional Inspection of Engine Parts: Fits and Limits
Dimensional inspection ensures engine components meet manufacturer-specified fits and limits during overhaul; understanding clearance, interference, and running fits is essential for safe engine reassembly and FAA knowledge tests.
Engine Run-Up and Power Check After Maintenance
A thorough post-maintenance engine run-up verifies that all systems are functioning correctly before returning an aircraft to service, covering oil pressure, magneto checks, and more.
Returned-to-Service Requirements After Engine Overhaul
After an engine overhaul, specific FAA-mandated paperwork, inspections, and operational tests must be completed before the powerplant can legally return to service and be approved for flight.
Serviceable, Repairable, and Rejected Part Classifications
FAA regulations and industry standards sort aircraft parts into three distinct classifications—serviceable, repairable, and rejected—that every AMT must understand before touching an engine or airframe component.
More AMT — Powerplant subjects
Articles are original summaries grounded in the public-domain FAA handbooks and cite their source. ACS-aligned study aids — not a substitute for the official handbooks or regulations.