General
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There comes a time in the life of every piston aircraft when its engines must be overhauled. There's no exception to this rule. Based on their TBO (Time Between Overhaul) ratings, every piston engine must be removed, taken apart, checked, serviced, have components repaired or replaced as needed, and then be reassembled and reinstalled by trained professionals in order to remain in service.

Piston engine TBO is predominantly predetermined by their manufacturers based on a combination of their hours of service and their age. Each engine manufacturer has their own specific requirements, as far as what has to be done to an engine, in order to qualify as an engine overhaul.

The major purpose of overhaul is to inspect the engine parts. Inspection is the most precise and the most important phase of the overhaul. Inspection cannot be slighted or performed in a careless or incomplete manner.