Pauerman

I just picked up "the last" set of Mahle standard size 104mm Turbo pistons from Andial.

I am so excited to finally have all the pieces for my 3.0L engine.

I do have some concerns though.. After inspecting my new pistons, it seems like this particular set was not treated or plated correctly. On each piston, the plating is flaking off in one place or another.

If anyone else has these pistons can you tell me if you set look anything like mine.

Here are a few pics - should I be concerned??

Pauerman

another pic - how do attach more than one pic on the same reply??

Songzzz

I am quite sure they are not the LAST set for standard size.

Pauerman

last one.

Pauerman

I didn't think that these were the LAST ones either, but according to Andial, the only sets left are the 1st oversize.

Scott at Under Pressure Performance told me that Andial is not interested in contracting Mahle out to make another batch of these pistons.

For whatever that's worth, I'm just happy I got a set in case it might be true.

Songzzz

Agree...

Perhaps we can exchange some emails, have you started on the project yet?

Also, when can you get the next batch of fuel lines ready? I am waiting.

Nicolas

Hello

Mine has the same finish, the flakes are on non-critical areas and looks like "dirt" from water jet used during machining.

fast951

I just received my set that Scott advertised last week. Only one of the pistons has similar flaking..
According to Andial, there are no 104mm pistons, all they have are the 104.5mm..

I plan on calling Andial regarding the flaking on the pistons, will report here.

fast951

Called Andial, nothing to worry about!

nick_968

Mine are flakey too, dont think its anything to worry about.

Jeremy Himsel

Just hit'em with a touch of silver Krylon They'll look like new......

Sorry guys, x-ford guy coming out of me.

Under Pressure Performance

For what it is worth, Pauerman DID, in fact, get the last set of pistons that Andial had, but we had the last two sets available, of which one set is being used in a current project of ours, and FAST951 got the VERY LAST set of these pistons. Mahle has little interest in doing another production run of these pistons as the number of units required for them to do a minimum run is a drop in the bucket for them.

The minimum number of units/sets is relatively cost prohibitive for most to have sitting on a shelf while the sales trickle here and there. While everyone talks about "wanting" these pistons, only a small percentage of those wishing for them actually fork over the cash for a set. Bottom line, they sell, BUT the rate of return on investment simply does not justify the expense in making or stocking them - That is the truth of the matter.

A good example is the set that FAST951 bought. We had a TON of people ask about them, lots of emails and phone calls, but only a few of the many that contacted me directly were genuinely interested and willing to buy. Most others just wanted dimensions, pictures, specs, and so forth.

Those that own the pistons: In regard to the flaking of the coating, you will notice that the flaking is only on the bottoms and non-contact surfaces of the pistons. Carefully give the pistons a parts bath and virtually all the loose stuff comes right off. The tops and walls are fine.

Tom M'Guinn

I bought a set directly from Andial last week, which also have the flaking on the underside of the pistons. I got the 104.5 size, as I plan to have my block re-done in the first over size. At the one-over size, I will gain 39cc's on all you standard size guys -- 3019cc vs. 2990cc -- so take that. (Actually, it just seemed like false economy to re-use 90k bores in light of all the other expenses of building this motor.)

I imagine there are a lot of lookie-loo's when it come to these kinds of parts, but Andial has no one to blame but themselves for not selling these pistons faster. They run one or two tiny ads in P-car magazines, don't list the pistons on their website, and had to dig up a german techno-guy from the back room to understand what I was asking for when I called (who seemed to resist the notion that I knew what they were and actually wanted to buy them). As with so much, I did not know the pistons even existed until reading about them here on the list.

jchaley

I had called to get some pricing from Andial but did not buy. I did not realize these were a limited run. I thought I would just buy them when I needed. They might have sold them faster if people knew it was a "limited time offer"

john

Tom M'Guinn

John, when I called a month ago, Andial said there was nothing to worry about, no hurry, they had plenty. Umm...guess not. Guess I am lucky I ordered mine when I did.