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  #1  
Old 01-08-2010, 07:13 AM
FrankK90989 FrankK90989 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: N Mn
Posts: 299
Default Lycoming part failure (really ECI)

Yesterday I removed the top half of my cowl to install a oil cooler cover plate. When the task was complete a quick inspect over the top of this O-320
found a small oil slick near the #3 push rod shroud seal. I noticed that the tube had backed away from the case a small amount (more green seal exposed than it neighbors).
Removed the box cover to see what gives and found the shroud tube spring failed --AKA "push rod tube spring holdenin thingy".
Dug one of the old ones I had in my box of saved parts and found that the original part is made .05" thicker, .035 vs .030.
Spy glass inspection reveals a small imperfection near the break. I think the falure was a manufacture defect, notice the sharp press marks in the photo, the original part is better made, and I will reuse it.
[IMG]
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Last edited by FrankK90989 : 01-08-2010 at 06:05 PM.
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  #2  
Old 01-08-2010, 11:45 AM
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osxuser osxuser is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena CA
Posts: 2,484
Default

Good to look for, I've never seen one of those break before.
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  #3  
Old 01-10-2010, 04:55 AM
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uk_figs uk_figs is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 1,015
Default Happened to me also

Same thing happened to me in first 10 hours on my ECI 0-360, in my case oil was all over the inside of the cowl and the broken part had dinged up the valve cover. I now check the tubes every time I take the cowl off and look inside the front for oil on every pre flight.
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  #4  
Old 01-10-2010, 07:09 AM
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jthocker jthocker is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 1,060
Default

Same thing happened to another guy here at KHAO with a brand new ECI.
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  #5  
Old 01-10-2010, 09:40 AM
Steve Steve is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Roy, Utah
Posts: 1,144
Default

I talked to the ECI guys at LOE about those retaining clips. They are very much aware of the problem and are looking for the solution.
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  #6  
Old 01-10-2010, 07:08 PM
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Jeff Vaughan Jeff Vaughan is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: West Chester, Pa
Posts: 583
Default broken clip found today

I found a broken clip today as I was removing all 4 ECI cylinders to comply with the recent AD. The push rod tube had not moved and the seal was not leaking. The valve cover was beat up on the inside, Actually had dented the cover slightly. Hope the new ECI cylinders have new improved parts.
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  #7  
Old 01-11-2010, 09:36 AM
rv4ator rv4ator is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 73
Default

Jeff,
Are your cylinders in Group B? I have 4 Group B cylinders that are caught up in the new expanded AD. When I contacted ECi (talked with Tim) they said they would not replace the cylinders on an experimental. He told me to send in the cylinders & ECi would inspect them, fix if necessary & return the same cylinders back to me. The new AD states that no Group B cylinders are to be repaired & returned to service. Was that your experience?
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  #8  
Old 01-18-2010, 04:42 PM
odlee odlee is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Greensboro,NC
Posts: 152
Default Another failure.

Today I took a short (.8 hr) flight and upon return noticed oil streaming from the bottom of the cowling! It turns out that a pushrod tube had backed out! It was a clip failure, identical to the earlier photo. The Mattituck TMX IO 360 has 145 hrs(hobbs). I will be replacing all (4) retainers and one push rod. I will use a Lycoming part, assuming it will fit. I'll know more tomorrow. Lucky in that I did not lose much oil.

My recommendations are to replace all the ECi retainers when you exchange cylinders. My cylinders missed the AD.

Good luck.
David
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  #9  
Old 01-18-2010, 05:14 PM
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az_gila az_gila is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
Smile Really cheap insurance...

...at only $1.62 for the Lycoming part vs. $1.51 for the ECI part...

http://www.aeroinstock.com/products/...earch=MTQ5OTU=

The Lycoming part number is LW-14995
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  #10  
Old 01-18-2010, 05:34 PM
odlee odlee is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Greensboro,NC
Posts: 152
Default Thanks Gil

I was hoping the fix was simple. Just a bad part on ECi's behalf.Looking closely at the part, it is bad material &/or Heat treat.

David
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