FAA Aviation Maintenance Alerts

Facet Carburetor: 10-6019 mod HA-6; Leaking Float; ATA 7322
A repair station technician states, “Engine idle and low power performance were erratic. Upon engine shutdown fuel was noted dripping from the carburetor/induction air box. The carburetor was disassembled and inspected. (I) found the plastic hollow float 1/2 full of fuel. The float assembly top piece appeared to have partially de-bonded from the lower section, allowing fuel to begin leaking into the assembly. As the float lost its buoyancy it could no longer restrict the fuel source. A poor running engine and a fire hazard were the results. (I) recommend the manufacturing process (bonding) of this float be improved. In the meantime, all floats manufactured in the same batch should be removed from service.” (A search of the FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System (SDRS) database revealed four similar entries referencing float defects.)
Part Total Time: 400.0 hours. MORE