timwinters
Ejection Handle Pulled
Chapter three:
Sunday's oil change revealed metal in my filter. Presumably bronze though one oil analysis lab told me that aluminum can look like bronze in a filter. Definitely non-ferrous.
They are very small flakes, about 1 mm or less in diameter (comparing it to the diameter of the leads in my old Pentel drafting pencils). With a very few (about 6) larger ones, about double that size.
I'd estimate that the total amount is less than an 1/8 teaspoon...maybe less than that even. There are quite a few flakes but, man, they're small.
Here's today's game plan.
1) Standard oil analysis is going to Blackstone as every oil change does to see what they find.
2) The filter pleats are going to Aviation Laboratories in LA/TX. They say they can perform metallurgy tests on the flakes and determine exactly which engine component tossed them out...I'm skeptical...we'll see about that.
3) While we're waiting for #1 & #2 to be accomplished, I will pull the rocker covers and see if one has flakes or something is obviously amiss...hopefully I will find something (rocker bushings or valve guides will be a lot cheaper than main bearings).
Oh, and BTW, yesterday I filtered the oil through a paint filter (and I repeatedly stirred the oil during the pouring process in an attempt to suspend any solids that may have settled out). There was little or nothing in the oil. I haven't had a chance to speak with the A&P about this yet but I certainly hope that's a "good news" item.
(productive) Suggestions and commentary welcome.
Sunday's oil change revealed metal in my filter. Presumably bronze though one oil analysis lab told me that aluminum can look like bronze in a filter. Definitely non-ferrous.
They are very small flakes, about 1 mm or less in diameter (comparing it to the diameter of the leads in my old Pentel drafting pencils). With a very few (about 6) larger ones, about double that size.
I'd estimate that the total amount is less than an 1/8 teaspoon...maybe less than that even. There are quite a few flakes but, man, they're small.
Here's today's game plan.
1) Standard oil analysis is going to Blackstone as every oil change does to see what they find.
2) The filter pleats are going to Aviation Laboratories in LA/TX. They say they can perform metallurgy tests on the flakes and determine exactly which engine component tossed them out...I'm skeptical...we'll see about that.
3) While we're waiting for #1 & #2 to be accomplished, I will pull the rocker covers and see if one has flakes or something is obviously amiss...hopefully I will find something (rocker bushings or valve guides will be a lot cheaper than main bearings).
Oh, and BTW, yesterday I filtered the oil through a paint filter (and I repeatedly stirred the oil during the pouring process in an attempt to suspend any solids that may have settled out). There was little or nothing in the oil. I haven't had a chance to speak with the A&P about this yet but I certainly hope that's a "good news" item.
(productive) Suggestions and commentary welcome.