Service difficulty report · Connecting Rod · Cessna 172M

Difficulty date
January 10, 2004
Submitted
March 1, 2004
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Cessna 172M
Aircraft time
4,634 hours
Engine
Lyc O320E2D
Propeller
Mcauly 1A175ATM
Part
Connecting Rod
Part number
78030
Condition
Worn
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

(CAN) ENGINE WAS CONTAMINATED. ABNORMAL WEAR WAS DETECTED ON FOUR CONNECTING RODS CAUSING METAL CONTAMINATION. DEMARCATION WAS ALSO NOTED ON CRANKSHAFT. AFTER COMPLETING A THOROUGH INSP (MEASUREMENT OF INTERNAL BUSHINGS, A TORSION, PARALLELISM, INSPECTION OF CONNECTING RODS, SIDE PLAY INSP OF CONNECTING RODS AND CRANKSHAFT), CONCLUDED THAT ALL MFG INSP REQUIREMENTS WERE CARRIED OUT IN CONFORMITY WHEN IT WAS OVERHAULED. AC WAS IN OPERATION WITH 100 MINERAL OIL (SUMMER OIL) BECAUSE 80 MINERAL OIL (WINTER OIL) WAS NOT AVAILABLE. WE CONCLUDED THAT USE OF 100 MINERAL OIL IN VERY COLD STARTING CONDITION CAUSED A LACK OF LUBRICATION IN THIS SPECIFIC AREA.

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