Service difficulty report · Rocker Boss · Cessna 172N

Difficulty date
March 24, 2000
Submitted
May 8, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N75958
Make and model
Cessna 172N
Aircraft serial
17268069
Engine
Lyc O320H2AD
Part
Rocker Boss
Part number
LW15318
Condition
Failed
Component
Cylinder · Lyc
Component part number
LW15318
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

VALVE ROCKER RETAINING STUD, PN 31-16, SHEARED FLUSH WITH THE CYL HEAD SURFACE. THIS CAUSED PARTS TO MOVE AROUND AT RANDOM IN THE HEAD. IT IS SUSPECTED THESE LOOSE PARTS INTERFERRED WITH OPER OF INTAKE VALVE MECHANISM CAUSING THE INTAKE PUSH ROD TO BEND, CREATING AN OIL LEAK AT THE PUSH ROD HOUSING. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED 65.7 HRS EARLIER WITH NR 1 CYL, 19.2 HRS SINCE O/H. INSP OF ENG REVEALED EXH ROTATOR CAP DISLODGED, LAYING IN BOTTOM OF VALVE COVER ON NR 2 CYL. SUSPECTED EXH VALVES MAY BE STICKING IN OPEN POSITION ALLOWING ROTATOR CAP TO FALL OUT OF POSITION. THE EXCESSIVE CLEARANCE THEN CREATED BETWEEN ROCKER ARM AND EXH VALVE STEM COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE ABNORMAL STRESS TO ROCKER ARM RETAINING STUD.

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