Rb211-535e4
The E4 was a reliable engine but some are getting on for 23 yrs old, the B757 came into operation in Dec 1982 with RB211-535C engines the E4 came in to operation in approx 1985. The cost of a 535E4 shop visit is now $3.5M plus this does not include replacing LLPs ( discs). LLPs are costing an average of approx $0.5M per shop visit. This equates to approx $350 per engine per flight cycle in shop visit maintenance costs, or $700 in engine shop visit costs just for the engine each time the a/c takes off. Currenlty operators are trying to reduce operating costs even more. This exorbitant cost of maintaining the E4 could be a factor that may see E4 reliabilty reduce in coming years. Operators will spend the minimum to refurbish and overhaul the E4 engine.