Camshaft Concerns

The following is derived from maintenance facility submissions to the FAA’s Service Difficulty Reports database.

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Dallas Mavericks point guard used his team's plane to deliver 40,000 pounds of supplies to his native Puerto Rico in the wake of Maria. Dallas Mavericks

Key Takeaways:

Various aircraft engines frequently experience camshaft failures, manifesting as worn lobes, pitted/galled surfaces, or damaged gear teeth.
These failures lead to significant engine performance issues, including reduced static RPM, inability to maintain power, or complete engine shutdown.
Problems are typically discovered during routine maintenance (e.g., 100-hour inspections, oil analysis, oil filter inspections) or after pilots observe abnormal engine noise or performance.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Beech A36 Bonanza: Damaged Camshaft Gear Teeth

During climb out, the PIC heard engine noise. At 6000 feet agl, the engine shut down and pilot landed at the nearest airport. A subsequent engine teardown revealed approximately 12 cam gear teeth damaged on p/n 655516A.

Part total time: Unknown

Cessna 172M Skyhawk: Worn Camshaft Lobes

During a 100-hour inspection, cylinder #4 differentials were found beyond satisfactory limits. Upon further inspection after removal of the #4 cylinder, the #4 intake and #3 exhaust lobes on camshaft displayed signs of premature wear. Engine was then removed for repair.

Part total time: Unknown

Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP: Camshaft Lobes Beyond Limits

During a ground check, engine was unable to make minimum static rpm. After trying several things without improvement, a cylinder was removed, revealing the camshaft lobes were worn beyond limits. The engine was removed and sent for repair.

Part total time: 160.0 hours

Cessna 180H: Faulty Valve Lifters

The engine appears to have a faulty set of lifters causing severe damage to the cams. Persistently high iron presence in regular oil analysis of this high-utilization engine was noted, but cause was undetermined. Further examination revealed valve lifters installed with new camshaft kit at previous overhaul. The lifters are making metal in the engine by causing improper wear on the cams.

Part total time: 600.0 hours

Cessna TU206F Turbo Stationair:Abnormal Camshaft Wear

Found excessive amount of ferrous metal in oil filter during normal maintenance. Upon inspection, found #5 and #6 cam lobes were spalled. This is the second worn cam in this engine in three years.

Part total time: 265.0 hours

Piper PA-44-180 Seminole: Pitted Camshaft And Tappets

Camshaft LW16513 and tappets LW16812 found pitted when oil change and filter inspection carried out per AD 80-0403R2, paragraph B.

Part total time: 47.0 hours

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain: Galled Exhaust Lobe

During regular oil change, abnormal amounts of ferrous metal noted in oil filter inspection. Cylinders #4 and #6 were removed revealing galling damage to cylinder #6 exhaust lobe and cam follower. Engine removed for repair.

Part total time: Unknown