B757-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 300; Flight Crew Total 18000; Flight Crew Type 8000
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Logbook Entry; Human Factors; Company Policy; Aircraft
Upon reviewing the Logbook history for  a B757-200 aircraft [while] in Operations; there were four write-ups the previous week about the Right Engine having hung start at 50% on the first start; with the second start as being slow to accelerate.  In addition; there was also one write-up stating the engine didn't start on two attempts on one of those days.  This Log entry was the only entry that had maintenance actions entered; since it was listed as a closed item under the Flight [Did Not] Operate section. The action for this Log entry was Replaced (RPL) the 14th Stage Bleed Converter Valve.  All of the other Log entries merely stated 'No further action needed per Line Maintenance Operations'.  A call to Maintenance Control revealed that they actually had replaced both Igniters; Fuel nozzles and done some rigging. They also told me that the aircraft was scheduled for more maintenance work when it returned.  I am asking why this maintenance work is not entered on the Log history.  Without these entries; it appears that there has been no maintenance action completed.  Since the Log History and the Deferred Item list are the only documents that we have to determine the airworthiness of the aircraft; all the maintenance actions should be recorded on these documents for review during preflight.  A call to Maintenance Control should not be required.
Reporter stated she was informed that Maintenance Control only logs Maintenance Actions in direct response to specific write-ups. The write-ups she had referenced were bundled with the original problem write-up for the Right Engine; but the additional maintenance actions that were accomplished were actually entered under a different section of their computerized maintenance database not generally accessible by pilots. That's why she had to call Maintenance Control to get a clearer understanding of the maintenance issues involving the Right Engine on their B757-200 aircraft. The engines were Pratt-Whitney PW-2000 series.
During preflight of a B757-200 aircraft logbook history; an outbound Captain questioned Maintenance Control as to why the maintenance actions for four previous logbook write-ups about hung starts on the right engine were not available to the Flight Crew for a preflight airworthiness review.