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Upon returning from Redmond, I noticed oil residue dripping from blast tube
under the alternator of my IV.  The engine has 200 hours on it.  I pulled it
and sent it to Aircraft Systems, at the Greater Rockford Airport(RFD), where
Dave examined it, found the oil seal on the shaft had failed and that the
engine oil had washed out the front bearing.  This is an Electrosystems
alternator, and their bearing only has one side internally sealed, with the
other side sealed by the exterior green polymer seal.  Interestingly the
keyway on the shaft touches the green seal, and after a period of time had
probably caused the failure.  Aircraft Systems rebuilt the unit, tested it on
their test fixture, yellow tagged it, provided new gasket, and sent me on my
way in one day.  They have a really greaat operation.

david jones
pecatonica, illinois