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P&W Engines Winter 2004
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P&W 545A Flexible Fuel Hose
— Ken Kuchenreuther
As you are probably aware, there is a requirement to replace the flexible fuel pressure hose with Service Bulletin 30217. The hose must be replaced every 150 hours, not to exceed 200 hours per the P&W 545A maintenance manual. Pratt & Whitney has recently introduced Service Bulletin 30253 to install an attenuator along with a new hose in place of the old hose assy. This will eliminate the need to replace the flex fuel hose at the 150 hour interval. Pratt & Whitney wishes that the pre-SB 30253 hoses be used their full 150 hour life before incorporating the Service Bulletin. Pratt & Whitney has also offered assistance to operators through Commercial Support Program Notification #A03012, effective until November 30, 2004.
If you are coming up on the 150 hour time for the hose replacement, we recommend SB 30253 be incorporated. Similar paperwork will be available for other 500 series engines at a later date.
For more information please contact Dan Arrick or Ken Kuchenreuther in BTL at 800.525.2376.
P&W 500 Series Bellows
— Ken Kuchenreuther
On the P&W 545A engine, bleed air bellows are due for replacement at 600 or 1200 hour intervals depending on the service bulletin status. We have not experienced any broken bellows within these guidelines. As you probably know, there is a Commercial Support Program Notification program #A02006 that offers assistance for operators with these engines, effective until November 30, 2005.
On the P&W 530A engine, there are no guidelines for replacement of the bellows, and some cracking of bellows has taken place. Cracking usually shows up as increased ITT, fuel flow and N2. Checking the bellows necessitates removal and it is possible to damage them during the removal process. It might be better in the long run to replace the bellows if they are accessed. Additional troubleshooting of increased ITT can be found in the appropriate Pratt & Whitney maintenance manual.
For more information please contact Dan Arrick or Ken Kuchenreuther in BTL at 800.525.2376.
P&W 500 Series Oil Consumption
— Ken Kuchenreuther
Due to the fact that oil interfaces with air in the bearing cavities and seals in the accessory gearbox assembly, you should be constantly monitoring the oil level and checking cowlings for leaks.
On some P&W 545A engines, we have seen a few problems in the gearbox seal area. Though it is fairly obvious when a starter-generator or alternator seal leaks, there are other seal areas that leak as much or more and are not as obvious.
As oil consumption approaches one quart in ten hours, the hydraulic and fuel pump drains are where you need to focus. Oil leaking from these areas and exiting through drain tubes is frequently overlooked.
Another place to monitor is in the bypass duct and on the inner portion of the thrust reverser stangs. As always, reference the appropriate Pratt & Whitney maintenance manual for troubleshooting.
For more information about oil consumption troubleshooting, please contact Dan Arrick or Ken Kuchenreuther in BTL at 800.525.2376.
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