Cracked Case

[Mark Julicher]

A Bad Day in San Antonio, Texas:

I have been chasing an oil leak for about a month and I finally found it. Oil is seeping out of my crankcase through a vertical crack about on inch forward of number 2 (left rear) cylinder boss. So I have this expensive oil leak and I am looking for a case which I can yellow tag.

After mulling over the situation all weekend I called the FSDO with this question: "If I replace the case with a yellow-tagged case, can I just put my old components back on and go fly?" My cylinders and crank were yellow-tagged only 100 hours ago. and were running just fine.

Well, duty airworthiness inspector at the FSDO recommended I zero time the engine. Hmmmm I pointed out that that was not possible, but that I could do a major overhaul. FSDO agreed that the major overhaul would be appropriate and after getting everything yellow-tagged I could reassemble the engine (I hold and A&P ticket). The FSDO recommendation was against putting my seemingly good components on a fresh case. Arrgh. I can see the logic in that, but the oil leak just got more expensive.

Next question, "Since it is unlikely that I can find a case with its original logbooks, what engine log should I use with the rebuilt engine?"

Since it is not 'perzactly legal to replace the data plate from my old case onto another case, I guess it means starting a new engine log with no past history on the case other than a fresh yellow-tag.

Next question, "What should be the entry under 'time in service' for this overhauled engine?"

The answer was not exactly what I wanted to hear, but again it made sense, "As long as there is traceability on the components it is OK," and, "Call Contiental and see what they say, and, "Check the TCDS to be sure what ever serial number case I get is compatible with the other components."

Well Tribe, it is enough to make my head (and wallet) hurt. I'm off looking for a crankcase and a good lottery ticket.

[R. Winger]

Re: Cracked Case

Sounds like a tough situation to be in. I've been a regular visitor to the barnstormers website and find it quite amazing that so many engines are available. It is a 65 Continental you have, correct? Check out this guy, maybe he can help.

LOTS & LOTS OF CONTINENTAL A-65 PARTS • GONE WEST • I have too many A-65 parts to move. Need to sell before the move. E-mail your needs. • Contact Dennis Houdek - CUB DENN located Jacksonville, FL USA • Telephone: 904-262-6223 • Fax: 904-292-5056 • Posted May 30, 2005 • Show all Ads posted by this Advertiser • Recommend This Ad to a Friend • Send a Message

Rog

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Cracked Case

Thanks Rog,
I'll follow up on that. Maybe a little trip to Jacksonville for a part or two would be fun.

[alwaysoar]

Re: Cracked Case

Well, Can't you just do a "repair"? That would not be a major, but the proper entries in the logs about what you did would cover you and you could still use your 100-hour parts. Why can't you send your case off to be welded and tagged? Why get a new one? Take your data plate off first or they will destroy your data plate--or get a new one from Fresno and have it engraved on the case they send back to you. A good case suitable for line boring etc only costs about $150.00. Are you reading between the lines here?

[AKTcrafter]

Re: Cracked Case

MArk,

Before you throw away your current case why not see if it can be repaired. There are many reputable repair stations that can weld cracks in crank cases and return them to service. It depends on where the case is cracked but many cases are repaired in this manner. It's not cheap but if your case is in fact repairable you would know that the rest of your engine parts would be compatible with your case.....that's assuming that they were "compatible" in the first place. Many times when you really look closely at these old engines you find parts installed that have worked fine for many years but aren't really the correct and legal parts that are supposed to be there. You will end up replacing bearings, gaskets, and seals but most of your other parts should be able to be put back into the case as long as they are properly inspected and measure out to be within the service limits specified by the Continental overhaul manual. All it would take for you to return it to service as an A&P is a logbook entry detailing the disassembly, inspection, and reassembly of the engine along with documentation for the crank case repair (yellow tag/work order). Your logbooks and times would all be able to be used as is with no worries regarding times and compatibality issues.

Good Luck, Roger Clyne - ANchorage, AK

[Garry Crookham]

Re: Cracked Case

Mark
I agree with the other posts...your present case can probably be repaired. Engine Components in San Antonio used to do weld repairs...probably still do them. We build several engines each month and very seldom have a case that can't be repaired.

If your case can be repaired, and you choose to have it welded I would suggest that it be surfaced and line bored after welding....welding can distort the case a bit and surfacing and line boring will line it back up.

As one of the posts above suggested, this would be a repair and your log book should indicate such. We do a lot of "prop strike inspections." This consists of disassembling an engine after a prop strike (required by both Continental and Lycoming), doing a ndt and visual inspection, replacing any damaged parts, and reassembling the engine. We might not replace any parts other than seals, gaskets, etc and this is considered a repair.
A good argument can be made when replacing a case that a repair has been made and the original data plate can be reused. It depends on how your FSDO views this, many have no problem with you using the original data plate, since the case has a part number just like any other replacable part.....you're just replacing a part, not the engine. (Yes, at one time data plates had a part number...now to get a replacement data plate you need a letter from the FAA authorizing the engine mfgr to issue a new plate).

Hope this helps...I'll bet your case can be repaired.

Garry Crookham
N5112M
Tulsa

[paulp]

Re: Cracked Case

Howdy Mark,

You've gotten some excellent advise here. Call DIVCO, INC in Tulsa, OK and ask their advise. I'll bet your case can be repaired and all you have to do is make a log book entry. Keep it simple if you can.

[matsuthunder200]

Re: Cracked Case

About 15 years ago i had the same problem. A oil leak finaly they found it a crack in the case it was about two inches long in the same place between the cylinders. I sent the case in to be repaird they told me that they could not do it because it was in a stress point on the engine. mabe they have better repair methods now. I would check into it. I ended up getting another case and a major. about 6000.00 later i was flying again.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Cracked Case

Tribe,
Once again the amount of collective knowlege far exceeds my own. I plan to send the case to Divco and see what they can do for me. The good people at ECI in San Antonio don't work "on those little engines" anymore. At least that is what I was told to my face when I went by to see them.

Thaks for all the good words.

[Pearson]

Re: Cracked Case

Mark

I have a case for an A-65 Continental engine. It has a crack in the rear webbing area that is covered by the rear accessory cover. Other than this small crack it is in good condition and does not need line boring or anything. The crack is in an area where if it were to leak oil, it would drain back into the oil sump. You can have this case for the cost of shipping if you want it. If interested, email me off the forum at nwta_mail @ yahoo.com (delete the spaces).

Richard Pearson