Service difficulty report · Piston Ring · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
August 3, 2017
Submitted
August 3, 2017
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N8131
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
318152032
Engine
Lyc LTIO540J2BD
Propeller
Hartzl HCE3YR2A
Part
Piston Ring
Condition
Stuck
Location
Nr 3 Cylinder
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
K
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

WHILE ACFT WAS FLYING THE PILOT NOTICED OIL PRESSURE DROPPING INTO THE RED LINE, ON THE NR 2 ENGINE. HE SHUTDOWN THE ENGINE IN FLIGHT TO SAVE THE ENGINE FROM DAMAGE. ONCE ON THE GROUND MECHANICS STARTED TROUBLESHOOTING THE PROBLEM. CHECKED OIL DIP STICK, FINDING ONLY 5 QUARTS OF OIL. COMPRESSION TEST WAS GOOD ON ALL CYLINDERS. SUSPECTED A PROBLEM WITH THE NR 3 CYLINDER DUE TO THE SPARK PLUGS BEING SATURATED WITH OIL. MECHANICS REMOVED AND FOUND PISTON OIL REGULATING RING STUCK. ASSUME IT IS CAUSING THE HIGH CONSUMPTION OF OIL AND THE DROP IN OIL PRESSURE.

More about the Piper PA-31-350