Starter falling apart

[MooneyBob]

In the process of the removal my engine the starter came off of course. I have installed this starter probably 1 year ago and it has 160hrs on it. 

I couldn't believe that is already falling apart. You can see huge gap between the motor and the gearbox. It is all loose and shaking. I am very glad I found it in my hangar. It could probably make some serious damage if it broke during the engine start. And it is not like loose screw that some lazy worker didn't tight up. It is clearly some internal design mess. 

But what really bothers me ( like really really ) that we can not touch our " certified aircraft " or install new proven technology in them and then all this certified life depending parts that cost insane money are piece of crap. It makes me really mad. 

[N201MKTurbo]

That's why we do annual inspections, to find stuff like that. Tighten it back up and be glad you found it before it became a real problem.

[N201MKTurbo]

If it really bothers you, put the original starter back on. They were built like a brick outhouse and weighed as much. 

Besides that starter you are showing is the new proven technology.

[ArtVandelay]

I don't see where it's clearly some internal design mess? As oppose to somebody forgot to torque it down properly.

[Yetti]

The B&C cost a little more than the other proven technology, but I did not want to have to replace it again.   They are a pain to get do.

[MooneyBob]

Wow. 

1. I can tell that that starter wasn't like this before I put it in the plane. It looked properly torqued and solid when I installed it. 

2. It happened between the annuals. 

3. Now I feel really like it is my fault that I don't remove and check the starter before every flight. 

Thank you for your advise but I will not follow it. 

I am sending the starter back to the factory and wait for their opinion. It's still under warranty. 

[Bolter]

I cannot recall exactly how the starter fits in, but I notice something in the picture.  There are precision alignment pins visible (circle) and not engaged with their mating part.  Is it possible that when installed, the bolts (rectangle) were fully torqued as they loaded against the locating pins, and there was always a gap between the non-precision surfaces?  When the mating part was removed, the pins are no longer loaded, and the part is both loose, and the gap is now visible?

-dan

[MooneyBob]

21 minutes ago, Dan at FUL said:

I cannot recall exactly how the starter fits in, but I notice something in the picture.  There are precision alignment pins visible (circle) and not engaged with their mating part.  Is it possible that when installed, the bolts (rectangle) were fully torqued as they loaded against the locating pins, and there was always a gap between the non-precision surfaces?  When the mating part was removed, the pins are no longer loaded, and the part is both loose, and the gap is now visible?

-dan

Nope. The bolts are torqued from factory and they have  safety tabs. They didn't move a bit. And you don't touch those when installing the starter. It is one assembled piece. That's why I said it is something internal because no way those bolts got loose. 

[MB65E]

Known problem with Skytec. They will fix it. I've tightened them up on a few airplanes with good results. I wouldn't worry too much about it, but it's a good place to look at in the future.

-Matt

[MooneyBob]

They sent brand new starter. They could just tight the bolts, right? 

[MyNameIsNobody]

I often ask myself: "Self, why do some people have to be such dicks"?  Self never gives me a good reason.

[Guest]

On February 25, 2017 at 9:16 AM, MooneyBob said:

In the process of the removal my engine the starter came off of course. I have installed this starter probably 1 year ago and it has 160hrs on it. 

I couldn't believe that is already falling apart. You can see huge gap between the motor and the gearbox. It is all loose and shaking. I am very glad I found it in my hangar. It could probably make some serious damage if it broke during the engine start. And it is not like loose screw that some lazy worker didn't tight up. It is clearly some internal design mess. 

But what really bothers me ( like really really ) that we can not touch our " certified aircraft " or install new proven technology in them and then all this certified life depending parts that cost insane money are piece of crap. It makes me really mad. 

Bob,

Is it possible that the bolts rotated even though the lock tabs were bent in place?  Loctite might be be part of the solution.

Clarence

[MooneyBob]

Nope. I have examined them with my magnifying glass. No signs of movement.