B412 Combining Gearbox - 2 metal particle incidents 1,800hrs TSN
On the question of B412 gearboxes making metal I've got a question for mtoroshanga and other B412 'old hands'
I looked at a T3 combining gearbox for sale here in Indo with TTSN 1,800hrs
At 1,000hrs TSN the gearbox was making metal particles and was completely overhauled by the factory (Pratt and Whitney and parts cost alone $180,000 10 years ago) then 800 hrs later it starts making metal particles again !
So it's up for another overhaul the question is why would it make metal particles twice well short of TBO and if there's a major problem with the gearbox casing not being machined or aligned properly why wouldn't that be picked up by the inspection procedures during overhaul ?
I offered them $15,000 for the gearbox as-is and they wanted $30,000 but with 2 metal particle incidents in less than 2,000hrs it's possible that even $15,000 was too much as if there's a problem with the casing also it's a boat anchor.
Has anyone else had a low time problem gearbox and what would cause 2 metal particle incidents in such a short time ?