Service difficulty report · Camshaft · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
August 20, 2010
Submitted
August 20, 2010
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N3527U
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
31795141
Aircraft time
30,929 hours
Engine
Lyc LTIO540J2BD
Engine time
5,020 hours
Propeller
Hartzl HCE3YR2A
Part
Camshaft
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 THE EARLIEST REMOVAL SO FAR, WITH 744 HOURS REMAINING UNTIL O/H. HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MFG TECH SUPPORT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME NOW AND 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 IT RIDES ON. NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE PITTING, OR HOW TO PREVENT IT.

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