SDR 2010F00192

Service difficulty report · Cam Follower · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
November 23, 2009
Submitted
August 20, 2010
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N59764
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
317652037
Aircraft time
26,109 hours
Engine
Lyc LTIO540J2BD
Engine time
5,191 hours
Part
Cam Follower
Condition
Corroded
Location
Engine
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

EXCESSIVE CAM LOBE WEAR IS CAUSING POWER LOSS AND EARLY REMOVAL OF SEVERAL OF OUR ENGINES. THIS ENGINE WAS REMOVED AT 1650.2 TTSO WITH 549.8 REMAINING ON OUR 2200HR O/H INTERVAL. HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MFG TECH SUPPORT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME NOW NAD HAVE YET TO FIND A SOLUTION. IT SEEMS THAT FOR SOME REASON USUALLY ONE CAM FOLLOWER WILL BECOME "PITTED" AND BEGIN TO ACCELERATE WEAR ON THE LOBE THAT IT RIDES ON. NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE PITTING OR HOW TO PREVENT IT. WE USE ONLY FACTORY REMANUFACTURED ENGINES IN OUR ENTIRE FLEET.

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