APU 131-9A SIC-OIC Troubleshooting Guide 2016 PDF

131-9A Auxiliary Power Unit Smell/Odour In
Cabin (SIC/OIC) Troubleshooting Guide

Honeywell Report 31-18899
Smell In Cabin - Troubleshooting Guide
The aim of this presentation is to summarise existing AMM

and TSM recommendations, providing operators with
inspection and maintenance recommendations to be followed
in case odour/smell in cabin is experienced and the APU is
suspected to be the contamination source
Refer to applicable Trouble Shooting Manual (TSM) and Aircraft Maintenance Manual
(AMM) for further information
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• Possible sources of smell in cabin from the APU

 External Fumes ingested by the APU (i.e. Main Engines
Exhaust Gas fumes)
 A/C external fluid leakages ingested by the APU
 De-icing fluid ingestion, further to A/C de-icing operation
 Hydraulic leaks ingestion (i.e. from A/C landing gear)
 APU external fuel/oil leakages re-ingested by the APU
 APU internal oil leakages reaching APU pneumatic system

• In case of A/C smell in cabin and APU is suspected to be the source of
contamination, next steps should be followed:
 Inspect the APU for presence of contaminants
 If contaminants evidenced:
 Identify source of contaminants
 Identify contaminants path followed to reach the APU pneumatic system
 Eliminate source of contaminants as per AMM instructions
 If re-ingestion confirmed, inspect condition of APU doors/duct sealing and
drains, and restore them if required
 Clean contaminated APU and compartment
 Decontaminate A/C as per AMM 21-00-00 and ISI 21.00.00018
Note: Refer to Airbus SIL 49-032 “Aircraft/APU bleed air oil contamination/Aircraft smoke
warning” which compiles recommendations in case of APU suspected to be the
contaminant source (oil, de-icing fluid ingestion…)


Exhaust Gas fumes)

External Fumes Ingested by the APU
• In case of external fumes (i.e. Exhaust Gas fumes from main
engines) present on the vicinity of the APU intake, they could be
ingested leading to smell in cabin
 Smell will stop with fumes origin
 No further inspections will be required on the APU
 Perform cabin ventilation to eliminate any residual smell before next
revenue flight


Exhaust Gas fumes)

A/C external fluid leakages
• If A/C external fluid leakage re-ingestion by the APU is suspected
 Inspect the external surfaces of the APU doors, APU Air Intake Housing and
APU duct inner walls for presence of contaminants
 If contaminants evidences, identify source of contaminants (i.e. hydraulic
leak, oil, de-icing fluid further to de-icing operation)
 Eliminate source of contaminant as per AMM instructions
 Clean contaminated surfaces (APU doors, intake duct air flow path)

A/C external fluid leakages – De-icing fluid
• Check for de-icing fluid contamination
 Further to A/C de-icing operation inspect the external surfaces of APU doors
for presence of de-icing fluid
 Check for presence of de-icing fluid on the APU inlet duct to confirm re-
ingestion
 Refer to AMM task 49-00-00-200-804-A : “Inspection of the APU (131-9(A))
for De-Icing Contamination” for further information

A/C external fluid leakages – Hydraulic fluid
• Check for possible hydraulic leaks ingestion
 Inspect A/C fuselage from the nose landing gear up to the APU inlet and
vertical stabilizer up to the APU inlet for presence of hydraulic leak
 Check for presence of hydraulic fluid on the APU inlet duct to confirm re-
ingestion, by using ultra-violet / black light
 During visual inspection, any hydraulic leakage from the landing gear must
be fixed. Refer to Airbus ISI 29.00.00004 for further information


Exhaust Gas fumes)

APU external fluid leakages
• If APU external fluid leakage re-ingestion by the APU is suspected

 Inspect the APU compartment, APU external surfaces and the APU duct
inner walls for presence of contaminants
 If contaminants evidenced
 Identify source of contaminants by following APU and APU compartment
inspections described hereafter
 Identify contaminants path followed to reach the APU pneumatic system
 Eliminate source of contaminants as per AMM instructions
 If re-ingestion confirmed, inspect condition of APU doors/duct sealing/drains
and restore them if required

APU and APU Compartment Inspection
APU tubes and tube fittings
• Perform General Inspection of APU for leakage in all tubes and Tube Fittings
 Inspect all external fittings for evidence of leaks and check for rightness
 Special attention should be paid to the fittings of APU fuel manifolds and fuel lines (Inlet
Guide Vane Actuator (IGVA) / Surge Control Valve (SCV) Supply & Return lines (A and
B) and Fuel Supply Tube (C)), and drain lines (FCU Drain Tube (D)), LC Scroll Witness
Drain Tube (E), Turbine Drain Tube (F), IGV & SCV Drain Tubes (G and H)
 Aircraft fuel supply line and interface to APU Fuel Control Unit (FCU)
C H E
C
F
A B G D
Fuel Manifolds APU Drain Mask

Gearbox Vent tube
• Inspect area around Gearbox vent tube (from air oil separator to exhaust)
 Check fittings and tubes
Gearbox vent tube

Air Oil separator

Oil Supply & Oil Scavenge Tube at Turbine Bearing Cavity
• Check for evidence of Oil Leak at Turbine Bearing Cavity:
 Inspect area around turbine bearing scavenge tube
 Inspect area around turbine bearing oil supply tube
 Check fittings
Oil supply
tube
Scavenge tube
• If oil is present in the bearing cavity, it’s likely caused by turbine seal leak.
 Remove APU, if turbine seal leak is suspected

Oil Fill Cap, Lube Module, Fuel Control Unit, Low Oil
Level Switch & De-Oil solenoid
• Check for evidence of leak (oil, fuel) around:
 Oil Fill Cap (for oil gravity filling)
 Lube Module (Oil Pump)
 Fuel Control Unit (FCU)
 Low Oil Level Switch (LOL) Oil Fill Cap
 De-Oil solenoid De-Oil solenoid
Lube Module
LOL
FCU

Generator Mount Flange
• Check for evidence of leak around circumference of generator to gearbox mount
Generator to Gearbox Mount

Load Compressor Scroll Housing to Gearbox Split-line
• Check for evidence of leak around Load Compressor Scroll Housing to Gearbox
Split line
 Inspection Gearbox to Scroll Housing split line. If there is any evidence of leakage, use
black light to verify oil leak. Clean, degrease, run APU and inspect again to confirm oil
leak
 APU assembly fluid can be present at the split line area, not to be mistaken with oil
leak
Split line

Magnetic plug and Hot Oil Temperature (HOT) sensor
• Check for evidence of leak around Magnetic Plug and Hot Oil Temperature (HOT)
Sensor

Starter Motor, Pressure Oil Port, Air Oil Separator, Low
Oil Pressure (LOP) Sensor
• Check for Evidence of Leak Around:
 Starter Motor Flange
 Pressure Oil Servicing
 Air oil separator
 Low Oil Pressure (LOP) Sensor
Starter motor
LOP

Drain Tubes and Bellows
• Check the alignment of the drain tube bellows on the door with the drain
tubes on the bottom of the APU
 Check alignment by closing right APU door and observing from the open left
door. If they are not aligned, adjust spring adapter assembly on door
 Please refer to AMM TASK 49-17-00-200-802-A "General Visual Inspection of
APU Compartment Draining System (131-9(A))”

Identify contaminants path to reach the APU Bleed
APU compartment seals
• Any damages on APU compartment seals could lead to contaminants re-ingestion
 Check APU firewall and elbow seals condition
 Inspect APU plenum inlet seal condition
 A visible contact pattern should be observed around the entire circumferential inlet plenum
flange to confirm alignment with APU intake duct
 Check alignment/adjustment between APU intake duct and APU inlet plenum by
closing right APU door and observe from the open left door
 Refer to AMM task 49-13-00-200-003-A “General Visual Inspection of all Fire Seals and
Walls (Rear, FWD, Sides, Upper and Compartment Doors) for condition”
 Refer to AMM task 49-16-45-400-003-A “Installation of the Air Intake Diffuser and Elbow”
APU Intake Housing seal APU elbow seal APU seal contact flange

• Any damages on APU compartment seals could lead to contaminants re-ingestion
• Check APU doors rubber sealing condition
 Refer to AMM task 49-13-00-200-003-A “General Visual Inspection of all Fire Seals
and Walls (Rear, FWD, Sides, Upper and Compartment Doors) for condition.”
APU doors rubber sealing (FR80)
• Refer to SB A320-49-1049 “INTRODUCE A DRAIN SYTEM AND SEALING ON

R/L ACCESS DOORS” and SB A320-49-1050 “INTRODUCE A MODIFIED
INTAKE ELBOW SEAL AND AIRCRAFT INTAKE BOX SEAL”

• Check alignment between the Oil cooler discharge duct and the APU door
 Alignment is critical to minimise external cooling fan / oil cooler leaks that could
contaminate the APU compartment
 Check alignment of oil cooler discharge duct by closing left APU door and
observe from the open right door
Oil Cooler discharge duct


Exhaust Gas fumes)

APU internal oil leak reaching APU pneumatic system
• If APU internal oil leak is suspected

• Inspect the APU bleed duct for presence of oil
• If contaminants evidenced, identify source of contaminants
(i.e. Load Compressor Carbon seal, Cooling fan...)
• Eliminate source of contaminants as per AMM instructions
• It may require APU removal depending on the source identified
• Decontaminate A/C as per AMM 21-00-00 and ISI 21.00.00018

APU Bleed Duct Inspection
Load Control Valve (LCV) Inspection
• If oil ingestion is suspected and no external leak is evident, inspect pneumatic
duct downstream with black light for oil contamination
 If oil is evident, there is a possibility of an internal APU oil leak or ingested oil leak
 Inspect the APU drain system and APU cooling fan ducts as described in next
slides to identify source of contaminants
APU bleed air duct

LCV

Identify Source of Contaminants
Check LC Witness Drain
• An oil leak witness drain is located aft of the seal to collect any oil leakage. The
oil is drained directly overboard through the drain mast
• Failure of the load compressor carbon seal would result in oil being present at
the seal cavity witness drain
• Check the 6 o’clock Load Compressor

(LC) witness drain with black light to
determine if there is oil. Presence of
excessive amount of oil indicates LC
seal leak
• APU should be removed, if LC seal
leak is suspected

Oil cooler, cooling fan & discharge duct
fan ducts
• Inspect the inside of the fan ducts for evidence of oil. If oil
is present and the inside of the plenum is clean, further
inspection of the oil cooler and fan is required
Oil cooler
Inspect Oil Cooler Lines
• External contamination or cooling fan oil leak can

leave residue on cooling fan housing

Check oil quantity
• Check Oil Quality – DO NOT Over Fill:
 Confirm APU normal shutdown by checking fully closed APU air intake. If the
shutdown is unknown operate the APU at no-load for 5 minutes followed by a normal
shut down
 Complete de-oiling during normal APU shutdown should be performed prior to
checking the oil level
 Wait for at least 15 min after last APU shutdown prior to checking and eventually
completing the oil level
 It is also best practice to determine the need for oil service by utilizing the aircraft
ECAM warning for low oil level
Oil sight glass

• Once inspections have been carried out, source of contaminant has been
eliminated and APU compartment/duct sealing condition has been
restored, next step will be:
 Decontaminate A/C pneumatic system as per AMM 21-00-00 and ISI
21.00.00018
• Failure to do so will lead to ineffective or only partial decontamination and
therefore the risk of future reports of smoke or odours in the cabin

Clean APU plenum and duct
APU Inlet Plenum
• Inspect Inlet Plenum for Oil Contamination
 If oil has accumulated in the plenum, clean using degreaser and/or steam cleaner (refer
to AMM 49-16-00 for further information).
 Perform APU compressor cleaning as per AMM task 49-20-00-100-004-A

Clean APU plenum and duct
APU inlet duct inspection
• Inspect the interior of the inlet duct for cleanliness. If it is contaminated, the duct
must be cleaned
 Refer to AMM Task 49-00-00-790-008-A “Check APU compartment and air intake
duct for oil contamination”
 Check AMM 49-00-00 PB 501 “Check APU compartment and air intake duct for oil
contamination” and TSM 49-00-00 “Fumes in the cabin / Oil Smoke at APU Exhaust” for
further information

• Further to an APU removal associated to a Smell/Odour in

Cabin event, refer to the following workscope guide to be
followed during APU shop visit
 Perform visual inspection
 Perform black light inspection to look for traces of oil
 Perform borescope inspection to verify if there is oil leak
at LC cavity
Determine if there is evidence of
 External oil leak
 Internal oil leak
 External ingestion
Photo document findings & condition of the APU

Airbus Documentation
Airbus SIL / ISI
Reference Description
ISI 21.00.00018 Environmental Control System (ECS) decontamination procedure
ISI 21.21.00011 Cabin Air Quality Troubleshooting Advice

ISI 29.00.00004 Preventing external hydraulic leaks
SIL 49-032 Aircraft/APU bleed air oil contamination/Aircraft smoke warning
Airbus Service Bulletins (SB)

SB Number Description Released date
A320-49-1049 Introduce a drain system and sealing on R/L access doors Jan 1997
A320-49-1050 Introduce a modified intake elbow seal and aircraft intake Feb 1997
box seal
A320-49-1068 APU starter Motor and Air Intake System Inspection Jun 2005
Cleaning
A320-52-1152 Introduce additional seals and guttering on the APU doors Sep 2010
to prevent water ingress

Honeywell Documentation
Vendor Service Bulletins (VSB)
VSB Description Released Date APU Effectivity

Number
131-49-7562 Gasket material change from BlueGuard to January 2000 R-2161
Grafoil
131-49-7845 Turbine Seal March 2006 R-2298
131-49-7947 Replace L/C carbon seal and rotor PN August 2007 P-3072
3827350-3 and PN 3842418-1 with PN
3827608-3 and PN 3822635-2
131-49-7944 Change of Turbine Scavenge Tube to January 2008 P-3630
Incorporate Conical Seal
131-49-7989 Turbine Aft cover Gasket April 2010 P-4477
131-49-8063 First Stage Dual Alloy Turbine* September 2011 P-4956
* First turbine blade walking can lead to rotor imbalance and turbine oil scavenge tube leak

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document. This document and all information contained herein is the sole property of AIRBUS S.A.S. No intellectual property rights are granted by the
delivery of this document or the disclosure of its content. This document shall not be reproduced or disclosed to a third party without the express written consent of AIRBUS S.A.S. This document and its content shall not be
used for any purpose other than that for which it is supplied. The statements made herein do not constitute an offer. They are based on the mentioned assumptions and are expressed in good faith. Where the supporting
grounds for these statements are not shown, AIRBUS S.A.S. will be pleased to explain the basis thereof.
AIRBUS, its logo, A300, A310, A318, A319, A320, A321, A330, A340, A350, A380, A400M are registered trademarks.

APU 131-9A SIC-OIC Troubleshooting Guide 2016 PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

APU 131-9A SIC-OIC Troubleshooting Guide 2016 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

131-9A Auxiliary Power Unit Smell/Odour In

Cabin (SIC/OIC) Troubleshooting Guide

The aim of this presentation is to summarise existing AMM

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• Possible sources of smell in cabin from the APU

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• Possible sources of smell in cabin from the APU

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• Possible sources of smell in cabin from the APU

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• Possible sources of smell in cabin from the APU

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• If APU external fluid leakage re-ingestion by the APU is suspected

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Gearbox vent tube

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Generator to Gearbox Mount

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

APU doors rubber sealing (FR80)

• Refer to SB A320-49-1049 “INTRODUCE A DRAIN SYTEM AND SEALING ON

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Oil Cooler discharge duct

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• Possible sources of smell in cabin from the APU

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• If APU internal oil leak is suspected

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

APU bleed air duct

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• Check the 6 o’clock Load Compressor

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Inspect Oil Cooler Lines

• External contamination or cooling fan oil leak can

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Oil sight glass

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• Further to an APU removal associated to a Smell/Odour in

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

ISI 21.21.00011 Cabin Air Quality Troubleshooting Advice

Airbus Service Bulletins (SB)

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Vendor Service Bulletins (VSB)

VSB Description Released Date APU Effectivity

131-49-8063 First Stage Dual Alloy Turbine* September 2011 P-4956

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

You might also like