P&W Engines Summer 2004

• Oil Smell PW545A / Oil Pressure Fluctuations PW530
• Pratt & Whitney 545A Alternator Gearshaft Carbon Seal Mod
• Use of Continuous Ignition on the 545A Engine

Oil Smell PW545A / Oil Pressure Fluctuations PW530

— Ken Kuchenreuther

We have had a couple of questions from operators lately asking about oil or exhaust smell in Citation 560XLs during flight. The first operator with the problem thought it was coming from the APU. After boroscoping extensively and running tests on the compressor seal, we found nothing. The next indication was that it was one of the main engines. Boroscoping the engine also came up negative for oil that would migrate into the bleed system. Other maintenance was performed and subsequently the problem went away. The second call came in just recently and we are still awaiting the arrival of the aircraft. Have any of you experienced this issue with your PW545A? If so, I would be very interested in discussing it with you.

One other issue that has popped up recently is oil pressure fluctuations on a Citation 550B with PW530A engines. The squawk was fluctuations at high power settings, most notably on take off.We could duplicate it on the ground and after some testing, the oil pumps were swapped. The problem disappeared entirely and the aircraft departed. Over time, the discrepancy reappeared. Some “out of the box” thinking by the pilot gave us a little more information to work with. He told us that the smell returned when the oil reached “min” level. If the oil is serviced up higher it would disappear.

Please contact me if you are having this experience, or if you have any other PW500 series engine issues. I would be happy to help you over the phone. I am available by cell 24/7/365–just call 269.317.5526.

Pratt & Whitney 545A Alternator Gearshaft Carbon Seal Mod

— Ken Kuchenreuther

If you have had your alternator gearshaft modified per SB 30240R, you should be aware of SB 30274. This recently released Service Bulletin references removing the alternator gearshaft and inspecting the bearing journal diameter at the oil restrictor for proper dimension. A list of engine serial numbers on the last page of the Service Bulletin makes determining applicability to your engine easy. The recommended compliance time is 600 hours from receipt of the bulletin.

Pratt & Whitney has also published a Commercial Support Program Notification offering assistance to affected operators. The program expires on November 30, 2005.

For more information please contact Ken Kuchenreuther at 800.525.2376.

Use of Continuous Ignition on the 545A Engine

— Ken Kuchenreuther

Pratt and Whitney has issued SIL # PW500- 020 informing 545A engine operators that Cessna Citation Excel Airplane Flight Manual will be revised. When N2 speed is below 70% it is Cessna’s recommendation that continuous ignition be selected. Although no field events have been noted, Cessna flight line has experienced some uncommanded engine shutdowns during tests when the N2 speed went below 65%. These tests were being done to verify normal Fuel Controlling functions. We will share updates as they become available.

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