CESSNA®

MODEL R172 SERIES (1977 - 1981)

SERVICE MANUAL

SPECIAL INSPECTION ITEM

EACH 200 HOURS
EACH 100 HOURS
EACH 50 HOURS

20. Cabin heat valves, doors and controls ............................................ •

21. Starter, solenoid and electrical connections ........................................ •
22. Starter brushes, brush leads and commutator ..................................... • 21
23. Alternator and electrical connections ............................................. • 19
24. Alternator brushes, brush leads, commutator or slip ring............................. 7
25. Voltage regulator mounting and electrical leads .................................... •
26. Magnetos (external) and electrical connections .................................... •
27. Magneto timing ................................................................ 8
28. Firewall ...................................................................... •
29. Fuel-air (metering) control unit ................................................... •
30. Fuel injection system ........................................................... •
31. Auxiliary fuel pump ............................................................. • 22
32. Engine-driven fuel pump ........................................................ •
33. Engine cowling and cowl flap .................................................... •

FUEL SYSTEM
1. Fuel strainer, drain valve and control ............................................. •
2. Fuel strainer screen and bowl ................................................... •
3. Fuel tank vents, caps and placards ............................................... •
4. Fuel tanks, sump drains and fuel line drains ....................................... •
5. Drain fuel and check tank interior attachment and outlet screens ..................... 5
6. Fuel vent valves ............................................................... •
7. Fuel vent line drain ............................................................. •
8. Fuel shut-off valve and placard .................................................. •
9. Fuel selector valve and placard ................................................. •
10. Engine primer ................................................................. •
11. Perform a fuel quantity indicating system operational/accuracy test. ................... 23
12. Fuel injection nozzles .......................................................... 24

LANDING GEAR
1. Main gear wheels and fairings ................................................... • 17
2. Nose gear wheel, torque links, steering tubes, boots, fairing ......................... • 17
3. Wheel bearings ............................................................... 9

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 CESSNA®
MODEL R172 SERIES (1977 - 1981)
SERVICE MANUAL
SPECIAL INSPECTION ITEM
EACH 200 HOURS
EACH 100 HOURS
EACH 50 HOURS

4. Nose gear strut and shimmy dampener (service as required.......................... •

5. Tires .......................................................................... •
6. Brake fluid, lines and hoses, linings, discs, brake assemblies and master
cylinders ...................................................................... • 20
7. Parking brake system ........................................................... •
8. Main gear springs .............................................................. •
9. Nose gear steering arm lubrication ................................................ •
10. Torque link lubrication ........................................................... •
11. Park brake and toe brakes - operational test ........................................ •

AIRFRAME
1. Aircraft exterior ................................................................. •
2. Aircraft structure................................................................ •
3. Windows, windshield, doors and seals ............................................. •
4. Seat belts and shoulder harnesses ................................................ •
5. Seat stops, seat rails, upholstery, structure and mounting. On the pilot’s and copilot’s
seats; inspect bolts that attach the seat backs to the seat base for poor condition and
apparent defects ............................................................... • 25
6. Control “U” bearings, sprockets, pulleys, cables, chains and turnbuckles ............... •
7. Control lock, control wheel and control “U” mechanism ............................... •
8 Instruments and markings ....................................................... •
9 Gyros central air filter 10 ........................................................ • 10
10 Instrument wiring and plumbing ................................................... 5
11 Instrument wiring and plumbing ................................................... •
12 Instrument panel. shockmounts, ground straps, cover, decals
and labeling ................................................................... •
13 Defrosting, heating and ventilation system controls .................................. •
14 Cabin upholstery, trim, sunvisors and ash trays ................................................................... •
15 Area beneath floor, lines, hoses, wires and control cables ............................ •
16 Lights, switches, circuit breakers, fuses and spare fuses ............................. •
17 Exterior lights .................................................................. •
18 Pitot and Static Systems ........................................................ •
19 Stall warning system ............................................................ •

D2027-1-13 Temporary Revision 9 – Aug 1/2020 2-25

© TEXTRON AVIATION INC.
 CESSNA®
MODEL R172 SERIES (1977 - 1981)
SERVICE MANUAL

SPECIAL INSPECTION ITEM

EACH 200 HOURS
EACH 100 HOURS
EACH 50 HOURS

...............................
20. Radios, radio controls, avionics and flight instruments •
21. Starter, solenoid and electrical connections ........................................ •
22. Battery, battery box and battery cables ............................................ •
23. Battery electrolyte.............................................................. 11
24. Emergency locator transmitter ................................................... • 12
25. Reel type secondary seat stops, make sure the manual lock operates correctly ......... •

CONTROL SYSTEMS
In addition to the items listed below, always check for correct direction of movement,
correct travel and correct cable tension.

1. Cable, terminals, pulleys, pulley brackets, cable guards, turnbuckles

and fairleads ................................................................. •
2. Chains, terminals, sprockets and chain guards ..................................... •
3. Trim control wheels, indicators, actuator and bungee ............................... •
4. Travel Stops .................................................................. •
5. Decals and labeling ............................................................ •
6. Flap control switch, flap rollers and tracks and flap indicator ......................... •
7. Flap motor, transmission, limit switches, structure, linkage,
bellcranks, etc ................................................................ •
8. Elevator and trim tab hinges, tips and control rods ...................................... •
9. Elevator trim tab actuator lubrication .............................................. 13
10.Elevator trim tab free-play inspection ............................................. • 14
11. Rudder pedal assemblies and linkage ............................................ •
12.Skins (external) of control surfaces and tabs....................................... •
13.Internal structure of control surfaces .............................................. •
14.Balance weight attachment ..................................................... •
15.Flap actuator jack screw threads ................................................. 15
16.Ailerons, hinges and push/pull rods .............................................. •

2-26 D2027-1-13 Temporary Revision 6 - Jan15/2008

© Cessna Aircraft Company
 CESSNA®
MODEL R172 SERIES (1977 - 1981)
SERVICE MANUAL

SPECIAL INSPECTION ITEM

1. First 25 hours: refill with straight mineral oil and use until a total of 50 hours have accumulated or oil
consumption has stabilized, then change to ashless dispersant oil. Change oil each 50 hours if engine is NOT
equipped with external oil filter; if equipped with external oil filter, change filter each 50 hours and oil at each
100 hours; or every six months, whichever comes first.
2. Clean filter per paragraph 2-23. Replace if required.
3. Replace engine compartment rubber hoses (Cessna-installed only) every 5 years or at engine overhaul,
whichever occurs first. This does not include drain hoses. Hoses which are beyond these limits and are in a
serviceable condition must be placed on order immediately and then replaced within 120 days after receiving
the new hose(s) from Cessna. Replace drain hoses on condition. For engine flexible hoses (Continental
Motors-installed) refer to Continental Motors Maintenance Manual and Continental Motors Engine Service
Bulletins.
4. General inspection every 50 hours. Refer to Section 11 for 100 hour inspection.
5. Each 1000 hours, or to coincide with engine overhauls.
6. Each 100 hours for freedom of movement, general condition. These controls are not repairable and must be
replaced at engine overhaul.
7. Each 500 hours.
8. Internal timing and magneto-to-engine timing are described in detail in Section 11.
9. First 100 hours and each 500 hours thereafter. More often if operated under prevailing wet or dusty
conditions.
10. Replace each 500 hours.
11. Check electrolyte level and clean battery compartment each 50 hours or each 30 days.
12. Refer to Section 16.
13. Lubrication for the actuator is required each 1000 hours or 3 years, whichever comes first. Refer to Figure 2-5
for grease specifications.
14. Refer to Section 9 for free-play limits, inspection, replacement and/or repair.
15. Refer to paragraph 2-45 for detailed instructions.
16. If leakage is evident, refer to McCauley Service Manual.
17. If aircraft is flown from surfaces with mud, snow or ice, the speed fairings should be checked to be sure that
there is no accumulation which could prevent normal tire rotation.
18. Rotate spark plugs every 50 hours of operation and clean and rotate every 100 hours.
19. Following the first 25 hours of operation, check alternator belt tension in accordance with procedures outlined
in Section 17.
20. Each 5 years, replace all hoses, packings, and backup rings in the brake system.
21. For Prestolite starters only, inspect the commutator and brushes every 1500 hours.
22. Each 10 years, replace or overhaul the auxiliary fuel pump in accordance with Dukes Inc. Service Bulletin No.
003.
23. Fuel quantity indicating system operational/accuracy test is required every 12 months. Refer to Cessna
Service Bulletin SEB99-18, Fuel Quantity Indicating System Inspection.
24. At the first 100-hour inspection on new, rebuilt or overhauled engines, remove and clean the fuel injection
nozzles. Thereafter, the fuel injection nozzles must be cleaned at 300-hour intervals or more frequently if fuel
stains are found.
25. Bolt inspection is applicable for seat part numbers 0515001-20, -25, -26, -208, -209, -210 and -211. Replace
bolts if poor condition or any defects are found.

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 CESSNA®
MODEL R172 SERIES (1977 - 1981)
SERVICE MANUAL

2-48. COMPONENT TIME LIMITS

1. General
A. Most components listed throughout Section 2 should be inspected as detailed elsewhere in this
section and repaired, overhauled or replaced as required. Some components, however, have
a time or life limit, and must be overhauled or replaced on or before the specified time limit.

NOTE: The terms overhaul and replacement as used within this section are defined as
follows:

Overhaul - Item may be overhauled as defined in FAR 43.2 or it can be replaced.

Replacement - Item must be replaced with a new item or a serviceable item that is
within its service life and time limits or has been rebuilt as defined in FAR 43.2.

B. This section provides a list of items which must be overhauled or replaced at specific time
limits. Table 1 lists those items which Cessna has mandated must be overhauled or replaced
at specific time limits. Table 2 lists component time limits which have been established by an
outside supplier on their product.

C. In addition to these time limits, the components listed herein are also inspected at regular time
intervals set forth in the Inspection Charts, and may require overhaul/replacement before the
time limit is reached based on service usage and inspection results.

2. Cessna-Established Replacement Time Limits

A. The following component time limits have been established by The Cessna Aircraft Company.

Table 1: Cessna-Established Replacement Time Limits

COMPONENT REPLACEMENT OVERHAUL

TIME

Restraint Assembly Pilot, Copilot, 10 years NO

and Passenger Seats

Trim Tab Actuator 1,000 hours or 3 years, YES

whichever occurs first

Vacuum System Filter 500 hours NO

Vacuum System Hoses 10 years NO

Pitot and Static System Hoses 10 years NO

Vacuum Relief/Regulator Valve Filter 500 hours NO

(If Installed)

Engine Compartment Flexible Fluid 10 years or engine overhaul, NO

Carrying Teflon Hoses (Cessna- whichever occurs first
Installed) Except Drain Hoses (Note 1)
(Drain hoses are replaced
on condition)

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© Cessna Aircraft Company
 CESSNA®
MODEL R172 SERIES (1977 - 1981)
SERVICE MANUAL
COMPONENT REPLACEMENT OVERHAUL
TIME

Engine Compartment Flexible Fluid 5 years or engine overhaul, NO

Carrying Rubber Hoses (Cessna- whichever occurs first
Installed) Except Drain Hoses (Note 1)
(Drain hoses are replaced
on condition)

Engine Air Filter 500 hours or 36 months, NO

whichever occurs first
(Note 9)

Engine Mixture, Throttle, and

Propeller Controls At engine TBO NO

Engine Driven Dry Vacuum Pump 6 years or at vacuum NO

Drive Coupling pump replacement,
(Not lubricated with engine oil) whichever occurs first

Engine Driven Dry Vacuum Pump 500 hours NO

(Not lubricated with engine oil) (Note 10)

Standby Dry Vacuum Pump 500 hours or 10 years, NO

whichever occurs first
(Note 10)

Switch (Landing Light) 4 years NO

Aircraft serials: (Note 11)
R1722000 thru R1723454
FR17200591 thru FR17200675

Switch (Beacon Light) 4 years NO

(Note 11)

3. Supplier-Established Replacement Time Limits

A. The following component time limits have been established by specific suppliers and are
reproduced as follows:
Table 2: Supplier-Established Replacement Time Limits

COMPONENT REPLACEMENT OVERHAUL

TIME

ELT Battery (Note 3) NO

Vacuum Manifold (Note 4) NO

Magnetos (Note 5) YES

Engine (Note 6) YES

Engine Flexible Hoses (Note 2) NO

(TCM-Installed)

Auxiliary Electric Fuel Pump (Note 7) YES

Propeller (Note 8) YES

D2027-1-13 Temporary Revision Number 8 - Apr 01/2012 2-29

© Cessna Aircraft Company
 CESSNA®
MODEL R172 SERIES (1977 - 1981)
NOTES: SERVICE MANUAL

Note 1: This life limit is not intended to allow flexible fluid-carrying Teflon or rubber hoses in a deteriorated or
damaged condition to remain in service. Replace engine compartment flexible Teflon
(AE3663819BXXXX series hose) fluid-carrying hoses (Cessna-installed only) every ten years or at
engine overhaul, whichever occurs first. Replace engine compartment flexible rubber fluid-carrying
hoses (Cessna-installed only) every five years or at engine overhaul, whichever occurs first (this does
not include drain hoses). Hoses which are beyond these limits and are in a serviceable condition,
must be placed on order immediately and then be replaced within 120 days after receiving the new
hose from Cessna.

Note 2: Refer to Teledyne Continental Service Bulletin SB97-6, or latest revision.

Note 3: Refer to FAR 91.207 for battery replacement time limits.

Note 4: Refer to Airborne Air & Fuel Product Reference Memo No. 39, or latest revision, for replacement
time limits.

Note 5: For airplanes equipped with Slick magnetos, refer to Slick Service Bulletin SB2-80C, or latest
revision, for time limits.

For airplanes equipped with TCM/Bendix magnetos refer to Teledyne Continental Motors Service
Bulletin No. 643, or latest revision, for time limits.

Note 6: Refer to Teledyne Continental Service Information Letter SIL98-9, or latest revision, for time limits.

Note 7: Refer to Cessna Service Bulletin SEB94-7 Revision 1/Dukes Inc. Service Bulletin No. 0003, or
latest revision.

Note 8: Refer to the applicable McCauley Service Bulletins and Overhaul Manual for replacement and
overhaul information.

Note 9: The air filter may be cleaned, refer to Section 2 of this service manual and for airplanes equipped
with an air filter manufactured by Donaldson. Refer to Donaldson Aircraft Filters Service
Instructions P46-9075 for detailed servicing instructions.
The address for Donaldson Aircraft Filters is:
Customer Service
115 E. Steels Corners RD
Stow, OH. 44224

Do not overservice the air filter, overservicing increases the risk of damage to the air filter from
excessive handling. A damaged/worn air filter may expose the engine to unfiltered air and result in
damage/excessive wear to the engine.

Note 10: Replace engine driven dry vacuum pump not equipped with a wear indicator every 500 hours of
operation, or replace according to the vacuum pump manufacturer’s recommended inspection and
replacement interval, whichever occurs first.

Replace standby vacuum pump not equipped with a wear indicator every 500 hours of operation or
10 years, whichever occurs first, or replace according to the vacuum pump manufacturer’s
recommended inspection and replacement interval, whichever occurs first.

For a vacuum pump equipped with a wear indicator, replace pump according to the vacuum pump
manufacturer’s recommended inspection and replacement intervals.

Note 11: During the next annual inspection and every four years thereafter, replace the Switch (Landing Light)
with part number TTGC-TA201TW-B and the Switch (Beacon Light) with part number TA201TW-B.

2-30 D2027-1-13 Temporary Revision Number 8 – Apr 01/2012

© Cessna Aircraft Company