Service difficulty report · Pump · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
April 8, 2011
Submitted
September 14, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft time
3,846 hours
Engine
Lyc TIO540J2B
Part
Pump
Part number
200F5004R
Condition
Leaking
Location
Lt Engine Fuel
Part time
102 hours
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

(CAN) MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMING POWER ASSURANCE CHECKS PRIOR TO INSPECTION AND NOTICED LT ENGINE FUEL FLOW WAS LOW. DURING INSPECTION THE BOOST PUMP WAS OPERATED TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE, THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP WAS SPRAYING A SIGNIFICENT AMOUNT OF FUEL TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. THE FUEL WAS COMING FROM THE COVER FLANGE WHERE THE PUMP BODY AND RELIEF VALVE HOUSING MATE. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE FUEL STAINING NOTED ON THE ENGINE COWLS. QA DID A DEFECT HISTORY CHECK ON THE PUMP AS WELL AS THE OTHER PUMP AND SAW NO SIGNIFICENT TRENDS THAT WOULD EXPLAIN WHY THE PUMP COULD BE LEAKING FUEL. THE FAILURE RATE FOR ALL ENGINE DRIVEN PUMPS FOR THE ACFT TYPE, REGARDLESS OF MAKE, AD OR SB STATUS, CONDITION AT PURCHASE, O/H, NEW, REBUILT, ETC. HAS BEEN VERY HIGH. AN SDR SEARCH REVEALED 2 INSTANCES WHERE ENGINES HAVE ACTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A SIMILAR PROBLEM.

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