SDR 2015FA0000359

Service difficulty report · Housing · Piper J3C65

Difficulty date: July 29, 2015
Submitted: August 1, 2015
Operation: General aviation
Aircraft: N38623
Make and model: Piper J3C65
Aircraft serial: 7164
Aircraft time: 2,200 hours, 2,500 cycles
Engine: Cont A651
Engine time: 1,500 hours, 1,800 cycles
Propeller: Mcauly 1B90CM
System (JASC): 8520 · Reciprocating Engine Power Section
Part: Housing
Condition: Cracked
Location: Pushrod
Part time: 1,500 hours, 1,800 cycles
Stage of operation: TO
How discovered: O
Nature of condition: R, K
Precautionary procedure: C

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

What was found

DUE TO A "STUCK" EXHAUST VALVE IN 1 CYLINDER, THE ROCKER ARM BROKE, AND THE PUSHROD ASSOCIATED WITH THAT ROCKER ARM DAMAGED AND CRACKED THE FLANGE-PUSHROD HOUSING. THE CRACKED FLANGE-PUSHROD HOUSING CREATED AN OIL LEAK. THE "STUCK" EXHAUST VALVE WAS CAUSED BY THE HIGH LEAD LEVEL OF THE AV-GAS 100LL.

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