Service difficulty report · Head · Piper PA31

Difficulty date
August 11, 1998
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31
Engine
Lyc TIO540*
Part
Head
Part number
ECLW13448CP
Condition
Cracked
Location
Nr 3 Cylinder
Stage of operation
CL
Nature of condition
E, K
Precautionary procedure
A, E

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

What was found

(CAN) DURING CLIMB-OUT, THE NR 1 ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. A SHORT TIME LATER, OIL STARTED TO APPEAR ON THE ENGINE COWLING. THE CREW DID A PRECAUTIONARY SHUTDOWN AND RETURNED TO THE POINT OF DEPARTURE. POST-FLIGHT INSPECTION FOUND THE NR 3 CYLINDER WITH A CRACKED HEAD, MOVEMENT OF THE HEAD ALLOWED THE PUSHROD SEALS TO UNSEAT RESULTING IN THE OIL LEAK. THE NR 3 CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND GROUND RUN SERVICEABLE.

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