Seeking advice on buying a Cessna 172

[xxxttt]

Hi all,

I'm eying on a Cessna 172 f with good avionics (Garmin GFC 500 AP) and reasonable price but the engine O-300-C is reaching 2300 SMOH. One cylinder has 55/80 compression but rest of them are 75-78/80. Owner said they have fixed that cylinder for a few times but the compression would drop after 200-300 (I dont have the exact number) hours.
After seeing the aircraft today, I was pretty satified by the avonics but the engine is the only thing bothers me. What's the realistic estimation on the total overhual cost? I've heard number ranges from $30K to $60K. I'm fine with $30k, but $60k is little bit too much for me this year. My partner suggests that we let ame work on that cylinder to bring us the compression number temporarily, install an engine monitor, then continue flying it till winter before doing the OH.

If I'm going ahead with this, I'm looking for a reliable shop to overhaul a Continental O-300-C engine. Preferably somewhere in southern Ontario with a solid reputation and reasonable turnaround time. Any recommendations or experiences to share?


Thanks in advance!

[Scudrunner703]

Aerotech Engines in Halifax is the best around.

[philaviate]

Whenever I've been considering the 0-300 every mechanic I know has simply said, don't.

There's a reason the lycoming equipped 172 sell for considerably more.

$30k sounds unrealistic. I've seen o-200 overhauls cost considerably more than that recently. With one cylinder much worse than the others that's a big red flag.

[khedrei]

You asked for advice...

Mine is, don't buy a 172. As others have said, the o-300 isn't worth it. Call for an estimate and see if you're happy with the numbers.

Early 172s were underpowered and had less useful load. Also I think they didn't burn much less fuel than newer ones.

Newer ones are WAY overpriced.

I'd recommend looking at some variation of a Cherokee in that budget range.

Not sure what the skill level o mission is, but a grumman or older mooney or commander are better bang for your buck.

[xxxttt]

Aerotech Engines in Halifax is the best around.

Sent a message to them! Lets see

[digits_]

Mine is, don't buy a 172.

THIS!

Unless you have some very specific reason why you really need a 172, there's lots of planes that offer more value for your money. Both on the lower end of the performance spectrum (C150, C152) and higher end of the spectrum (Mooney)

Unless you're getting the 172 almost for free, it doesn't make sense to pay about 40k for an engine overhaul and likely an additional 10k for a mechanic to install it.

If you're paying 60k for the plane, you're now looking at 100k. You can find better planes for that IMO.

[xxxttt]

Mine is, don't buy a 172.

THIS!

Unless you have some very specific reason why you really need a 172, there's lots of planes that offer more value for your money. Both on the lower end of the performance spectrum (C150, C152) and higher end of the spectrum (Mooney)

Unless you're getting the 172 almost for free, it doesn't make sense to pay about 40k for an engine overhaul and likely an additional 10k for a mechanic to install it.

If you're paying 60k for the plane, you're now looking at 100k. You can find better planes for that IMO.

This 8xK IFR 172f has dual g5,gfc 500, and gps 135.... Panel is the selling point Owner said he spent 110k for all avionics in 2021.
Regarding C150/152, I have found most of them on the market has similiar engine hour(2000smoh) listed at 40-50k.

I want a plane to continue training after ppl, day trip at weekends around Toronto. We are a group of 3-4 ppl to split the cost.

[digits_]

Mine is, don't buy a 172.

THIS!

Unless you have some very specific reason why you really need a 172, there's lots of planes that offer more value for your money. Both on the lower end of the performance spectrum (C150, C152) and higher end of the spectrum (Mooney)

Unless you're getting the 172 almost for free, it doesn't make sense to pay about 40k for an engine overhaul and likely an additional 10k for a mechanic to install it.

If you're paying 60k for the plane, you're now looking at 100k. You can find better planes for that IMO.

This 8xK IFR 172f has dual g5,gfc 500, and gps 135.... Panel is the selling point Owner said he spent 110k for all avionics in 2021.
Regarding C150/152, I have found most of them on the market has similiar engine hour(2000smoh) listed at 40-50k.

I want a plane to continue training after ppl, day trip at weekends around Toronto. We are a group of 3-4 ppl to split the cost.

Hey if it works for you, then great! For 130k you could likely find a low time well equipped ifr commander or Mooney as well though. Then again speed likely doesn't matter if it's mainly day trips.

[khedrei]

I get that the panel is a nice selling feature. For 80k with a runout engine doesn't seem worth it to me. 172s are highly sought after and hyper inflated due to the desire from flight schools. They are rock solid, amazing airplanes, but just not worth it in my opinion.

A Grumman AA5 or a cherokee 150 or 160, or an older mooney would suit the mission better I think. That 172 is going to cost 120k or more. You can get a reasonably equipped mooney (not with those exact avionics) with a half time engine for the same price and go 50 kts faster with more useful load. Just cause someone spent crazy money to upgrade an old plane doesn't mean you have to pay for it.

Of course it's up to you.

[xxxttt]

I get that the panel is a nice selling feature. For 80k with a runout engine doesn't seem worth it to me. 172s are highly sought after and hyper inflated due to the desire from flight schools. They are rock solid, amazing airplanes, but just not worth it in my opinion.

A Grumman AA5 or a cherokee 150 or 160, or an older mooney would suit the mission better I think. That 172 is going to cost 120k or more. You can get a reasonably equipped mooney (not with those exact avionics) with a half time engine for the same price and go 50 kts faster with more useful load. Just cause someone spent crazy money to upgrade an old plane doesn't mean you have to pay for it.

Of course it's up to you.

Thank you! This helps a lot! I'll do more research on the alternatives.

[philaviate]

We did similar avionics in a 172, and the cost was $28k. Dual G5, new Garmin gps etc etc.
granted, no autopilot. But this was in 2024.
So $110k sounds very high....

For $120k, you can definitely do better, and not be stuck with an o-300

[boeingboy]

I may have missed his asking price - but there is absolutely no reason to avoid the O-300...in fact - I'd fly one of those any day over a Ly coming.
Yes - the older ones have less useful load - but if your trying to cram 4 people in a 172 it's the wrong airplane for you. I see it as a roomier 150. There is also nothing wrong with a low cylinder....typical continental - fly it for a few hours then check again. If it refuses to come up - throw a new Superior one on...end of problem. There are other things you can do to fix it....but it sounds like they have tried that. Don't worry about overhaul, Continentals will regularly go way beyond without a problem. Just do regular oil changes and send a sample out to be analyzed.

When it comes time for overhaul there is a shop in the states that increases the HP to 170. Cheapest option out there if your not happy with the performance. The O-300 runs sooo smooth and half the time if something goes wrong - you barely notice it.

[jenniekim]

The engine overhaul cost sounds typical. Fixing the cylinder temporarily and monitoring it is a smart move before committing. For Southern Ontario, try Aero Precision or ask local pilots for trusted shops. Crazy Cattle 3D

[TeePeeCreeper]

I may have missed his asking price - but there is absolutely no reason to avoid the O-300...in fact - I'd fly one of those any day over a Ly coming.
Yes - the older ones have less useful load - but if your trying to cram 4 people in a 172 it's the wrong airplane for you. I see it as a roomier 150. There is also nothing wrong with a low cylinder....typical continental - fly it for a few hours then check again. If it refuses to come up - throw a new Superior one on...end of problem. There are other things you can do to fix it....but it sounds like they have tried that. Don't worry about overhaul, Continentals will regularly go way beyond without a problem. Just do regular oil changes and send a sample out to be analyzed.

When it comes time for overhaul there is a shop in the states that increases the HP to 170. Cheapest option out there if your not happy with the performance. The O-300 runs sooo smooth and half the time if something goes wrong - you barely notice it.

I concur. The 0-300 isn’t as bad as some posters have portrayed. I’d change the problem child cylinder and then as mentioned (oil changes and oil analysis) and then run “on condition” for as long as safely possible before OH.

Not sure where the 0-300 haters get their hate from but. IMO it’s unjustified.

*whispers* Aeroreciep in Manitoba had always been good to me. I’ve referred many friends and even commercial operators to them. Give them a call they are super friendly and very knowledgeable. I’ve never had a bad experience with them. (0-300/O-470 and P&W975)

All the best,

TPC

[xxxttt]

We got the prebuy report today as below. Too much items need to be fixed, we will walk away like previous buyer checked with them.

-ELT Installation requires replacement with 406 ELT by Nov/25.
-Sanded down bare metal on empennage has multiple (30+) rivets that now require
replacement.
-Oil cooler currently inoperative. (1 line routed to inlet and outlet)
possible winterization
- Cracked ceramic on ignition leads on cylinders. still operable
- Audible knock observed during compression test cylinders #1, 2, 4.
- Oil found at 4qts, Oil drained after engine run, sump screen found with excessive
metal particles
- 14 hours since last oil change
- oil filled to 5 qts.
- Windshield found with a little play, appears felt has started coming out sealing area.
- No mixture rise during mixture check, adjustment required
- Current engine TSO: 2363.2hrs, rec: 1800hrs
last overhaul c/o: August 1982
- 1 year remaining on 5 year propeller inspection
Propeller has 1950hrs TSN
McCauley recommended 7 year 2000hr TBO
never c/o, installed in 1990

[PostmasterGeneral]

Yeeesh, yeah good call on walking away from that one!

[TeePeeCreeper]

^ Yep!

[rookiepilot]

Piece of crap. Unairworthy.

I’d be ticked paying for a prebuy on that without that stuff explicitly disclosed in advance.

[all_ramped_up]

Yeeeeeah. This is why a Pre-Buy is essential folks.

[PostmasterGeneral]

Another case of lipstick on a pig with the “fancy” avionics in a garbage airplane.