Another symptom these engines are notorious for, is 'coughing' in a hover...when they do it, I think you know the results. Do NOT test this engine in a hover...you will very likely end up losing a plane. I've said it once gently, but I'll go out on a limb and say it again a little more strongly, but with one exception...if these '3w's' are acting right, they are ok, but when they are not..............well, you've already seen what will happen....that's not a fluke...it happens all the time. I've *GOT* to be straightforward here...that does does not happen with a DA. It takes literally a catastraophic failure to bring one of those engines down. I have NEVER had that happen, and have NEVER seen it happen. I have seen it happen time and time again with the the '3w's' because of leaks, case problems, crank problems, IGN problems, carb problems, tolerance issues, and cap problems...they have serious QC issues at 3w...issues they did not use to have in the early years of the TOC...I do not undertand this given their past reputation, but it's appearant, that they are not doing the same things they used to. I have seen pics of engine cases literally thrown into parts bins....that is not the way to take care of a case...especailly a cast case that is prone to leaks to begin with, I have seen cranks also thrown into bins...it makes one wonder how they become so warped. Bearing life? well when the crank is shown out of runout, it's no wonder the bearings fail! I have personally been to the field and proven that 2...not 1, but 2 3w 200 cases had holes in the cases and were leaking causing havoc with the engines...were they lean? hell yes they were lean! and it ruined the engines...they had to be sent back, and the pilots lost valubale flight time...damn near sponsored pilots I might add. This is nothing new... this is what I have seen OVER and OVER again. I have nothing against 3w. I have nothing against Germany or the folks who manufacture these engines...but if they are are gonna charge a premium price for these engines...one that is more than the competitions, they need to get a grasp on QC. Modellers pay pay a pemium price for those engines...more than any other...they should not be having to rebuild a brand new engine!!! Think about it... are you getting your moneys worth? I don't think so...I keep flying while I work on a few of my freinds engines at the field...guess what? They're about ready to dump them too. These guys in the SE want to fly...they don't want to be grounded working on a engine that won't run. That's just reality! Flame me if you want...but that is reality.