Steel Flakes in Oil Filter

[rakesb]

Since buying my M20C in 2013, I really feel that I've been taking good care of her and flying much more frequently than the previous owner. After almost four years of continuously improving oil and oil filter analysis reports, I just received my first potentially bad news: "Filter Analysis, Alloy Steel, Trace 0-12%, AMS# 6414 or 6415, Flakes. A trace amount of alloy steel was removed from the filter, AMS# 6414/6415, ranging in size from 602 x 416 to 3 x 1 microns. All oil values seem fine. Please contact the engine manufacturer's service rep if further assistance is needed."

 

My engine is a Lycoming O-360-A1D with 2851.73 TT and 1303.52 SMOH. I've been changing the oil every four months or 25-30 hours. This particular sample only had 15 hours on it. I use Aeroshell W100 SAE 50 in the summer and Phillips SAE 20W-50 in the winter, ASL Camguard aircraft oil additive, and CH48110-1 Champion oil filter which I change at every oil change and send to AvLab, along with an oil sample, for analysis.

 

I reduce rpm to 2500 at pattern altitude, leave manifold pressure full and cowl flaps open, and cruise climb at 115 mph. Sometimes I open the cowl flaps slightly in cruise to keep the cylinder head temperature gauge below 400. I have never noticed a problem with oil pressure or temperature. I have an EGT gauge, but I don't use it any more for leaning. I lean until engine roughness, then enrich until it smooths out. I don't have an engine analyzer.

 

Are the alloy steel flakes in the filter something that Lycoming would actually talk to me about? Any recommendations for immediate or longer term actions?

 

Thank you,

Bobby Rakes

(573) 337-3447

 

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