Service difficulty report · Plug · Piper PA23250

Difficulty date
June 5, 2000
Submitted
June 15, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N17WE
Make and model
Piper PA23250
Aircraft serial
277854118
Engine
Lyc IO540C4B5
Part
Plug
Part number
LW12892
Condition
Deteriorated
Location
Rocker Shaft
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

FOUND IN BOTH ENGINES DURING ANNUAL WHILE PERFORMING LYC 400-HOUR ROCKER ARM INSP, SEVERAL OF THE ROCKER SHAFT THRUST BUTTONS WERE FOUND DETERIORATING. A COUPLE OF THEM WERE FOUND BROKEN OFF AND OUT OF THE ROCKER SHAFT. THE OIL SCREEN WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN SOME BITS OF PLASTIC. ALL THE THRUST BUTTONS WERE REMOVED AND SEVERAL OF THEM CRUMBLED WHEN SQUEEZED. ENGINES HAD JUST OVER 1,600 HRS SMOH IN 1982. A FEW HRS AFTER INSPECTION, ONE OF THE ENGINES DEVELOPED HIGH OIL PRESSURE PROBLEMS, POSSIBLY DUE TO PLUGGED OIL PASSAGES. ALL OF THE THRUST BUTTONS REPLACED AT INSP, BUT THERE STILL COULD BE PLASTIC BITS IN THE ENGINE WHICH COULD PLUG PASSAGES. (X)

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