Service difficulty report · Diaphragm

Difficulty date
December 12, 2011
Submitted
December 12, 2011
Operation
General aviation
Engine
Cont IO550B
Engine time
690 hours
Part
Diaphragm
Condition
Deteriorated
Location
Flow Divider
Part time
690 hours
Component
Flow Divider · Cont
Component part number
64650817
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
R, J
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

ENGINE LOST POWER IN FLIGHT, MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. PROBLEM WAS AN EXTREMELY HARDENED DIAPHRAGM IN THE ENGINE'S FLOW DIVIDER. THE DIAPHRAGM WAS SO INFLEXIBLE THAT THE FLOW DIVIDER CLOSED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED NO MATTER HOW MUCH FUEL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE INLET OF THE FLOW DIVIDER. THE DATE CODE ON THE DIAPHRAGM WAS FROM 2007. UNKNOWN CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM BUT A POSSIBLE FUEL CONTAMINATION OR ADDITIVE CAUSING A REACTION THAT CAUSED THE DIAPHRAGM TO HARDEN IS SUSPECT.