Service difficulty report · Tappet · Piper PA28181

Difficulty date
May 28, 2015
Submitted
June 1, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N443PA
Make and model
Piper PA28181
Aircraft serial
2843499
Aircraft time
17,067 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A4M
Part
Tappet
Part number
15B26262
Condition
Flattened
Location
Nr 4 Cylinder
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

DURING THE REMOVAL OF A CYLINDER, THE TECH WAS TRYING TO REMOVE THE HYDRAULIC LIFTER ASSY WHEN HE FELT SOMETHING ROUGH INSIDE THE CRANKCASE. VISUAL INSPECTION REVEALED THE CYLINDER-FACING END OF THE NR 4 CYLINDER EXHAUST TAPPET WAS IN PIECES. THERE HAD BEEN NO ABNORMAL OIL ANALYSIS READINGS NOR ANY METAL SEEN IN THE OIL FILTER PRECEDING THIS DISCOVERY.

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