Service difficulty report · Cylinder · Piper PA28181

Difficulty date
March 24, 2016
Submitted
March 24, 2016
Operation
General aviation
Filed by
FQAR173S
Bird Acquisition LLC.
Aircraft
N284PA
Make and model
Piper PA28181
Aircraft serial
2843480
Engine
Lyc O360A4M
Propeller
Snsnch 76EM8
Part
Cylinder
Part number
LW12427
Condition
Leaking
Location
Engine
Part time
2,996 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

THE ENGINE WAS UNDERGOING A COMPRESSION CHECK. ALL 4 CYLINDERS HAD GOOD COMPRESSION, 70 PSI, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC PERFORMING THE CHECK HEARD A FAINT HISSING SOUND WHEN THE NR 4 CYLINDER WAS TESTED. THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE INTER CYLINDER BAFFLE AND INTAKE RISER TO THE NR 4 CYLINDER; WHEN HE SPRAYED ON SOAPY WATER, BUBBLES APPEARED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CYLINDER ASSY. IT APPEARS THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE CYLINDER WHERE THE HEAD IS THREADED ONTO THE BARREL, THOUGH NO CRACKING, DEFORMATION, OR EXHAUST STAINING COULD BE SEEN.

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