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Finally got that phantom hydraulic leak on a 737's MLG door actuator
Spent almost my whole shift chasing a tiny seep that would only show after a full systems check. Found it was just a slightly worn O-ring on the manifold block line, a part that looked fine at first glance. Anyone have a trick for spotting those subtle ones before you tear everything apart?
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abbyl492mo ago
Hold on, I gotta disagree with @cameron318 on this one! A full power-up and gear cycle is overkill and adds wear. You don't need that big pressure spike to find a simple O-ring weep. A slow, careful hand pump on the system while you shine a light on the fitting is way better. It puts steady pressure right where you need it without all the noise and fuss of the motors. That's how you spot the slow bead without making a bigger job.
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cameron3182mo ago
Manifold block lines are the worst for that. It's actually not a full systems check that usually shows it, but a full hydraulic power-up with the gear handle cycled. The pressure spike from the gear motor kicking in finds those tiny seeps. A bright light and a clean rag are your best friends, just wipe and watch for that slow bead to form.
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cameron3184d ago
Yeah I read somewhere that some guys use a mirror on a stick to check the backside of those manifold blocks without pulling everything apart. It saves a ton of time because you can see the actual drip path instead of guessing. That slow hand pump method sounds decent for small leaks but the gear cycle spike is what really proves it's fixed in my book.
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