PPRuNe Forums - R44- Lycoming Service Bulletin No. 388C

PPRuNe Forums (https://www.pprune.org/)

- Rotorheads (https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads-23/)

- - R44- Lycoming Service Bulletin No. 388C (https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/639244-r44-lycoming-service-bulletin-no-388c.html)

1 qt per 8 hrs of flying is not high.

Same as your Doctor your Mechanic would like a baseline for future reference.
Thats why he’s asking you to do it now.
You have the disposable income to buy a new helicopter.
Don’t be one of those owners that has more money then sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kansarasc (Post 11008535)

My new helicopter is in for annual inspection. This is a 2020 new R44 Raven I with TT 105 hours. The shop asked me if I want to do above mentioned SB. The SB applies at 300 hours but the mechanic says they recommend doing at 100 hours and then 300 hours apart. This was a surprise to me. As a private part 91 owner/operator I am not required to comply. Cost is $1200.
To other R 44 owners : what is your experience with exhaust valve problems ? Are they common ?
Helicopter is flying fine and there is no roughness at anytime . I do proper warm up and cooldown of engine as per POH. Engine uses 1 QT oil / 8 hours. I am using Phillips XC 20W 50 oil with Camguard .
Apart from cost I am believer in if its not broken -dont fix it concept. When the things gets opened and closed, there is always potential of something not put together properly.
Your suggestions are appreciated

If you want a detailed answer, please let me know. I have on going problems with my R44 Cadet engine exhaust valves, intake valves and cylinders. A nightmare that began on a 200 hr engine, bought new from the factory.

Page 1.3C of the R44 Maintenance manual states quite clearly that SB388 is to be completed at the first 100 hours and then every 300 hours. If, and I appreciate it is unlikely (but why have they put it there in the first place), you were to suffer an engine problem that led to an insurance claim would you be able to make a claim if you have ignored the aircraft manufacturers maintenance schedule?

Quote:

Originally Posted by VP-F__ (Post 11252149)

If, [...] you were to suffer an engine problem that led to an insurance claim would you be able to make a claim if you have ignored the aircraft manufacturers maintenance schedule?

FYI: it depends under what rules you operate under. For the FAA side manufacturer recommendations are not mandatory unless incorporated by a rule like an AD, OpSpecs, etc. So there would be no issue for an insurance claim, in general.

SB's are not mandatory in the UK either.

My suggestion~

Have a chat with the technician and get a detailed explanation as to what they will be doing to comply with the SB. My personal experience with the O540 in the R44 is to do the valve guide cleaning EVERY 100 hours. It reduces potential issues that WILL happen.

The problem with the O540, after your normal cool down, as soon as you shut the engine off the core temperature rises above the normal operating temperature of the engine oil. The thin coating of oil between the Valve and Valve Guide bakes in this temperature, causing the valve to stick.

Having maintenance go in and remove the build up of baked oil in the Guide and on the Valve Stem will reduce the chances of a stuck valve during operations.

Experienced Lycoming maintenance providers have come up with creative ways to perform this function without having to remove cylinders.

FYI, in commercial use we were lucky to get 500 hours from a set of factory cylinders. Lycoming knows there is a issue and has done ALL they can to NOT to provide warranty on their products.

Just my 2 cents!

So glad i got out of GA and its mentality.

Its a Mandatory SB dated 2004.

Why would you be crying over something the OEM has recognised to be essential to keeping you and your pax safe?

My lawn mower is also running fine right now....She'll be right.