Is it worth it to Add Oil Filter to IO-360 that only has the Screen?

[hobbit64]

I've been searching for topics regarding the addition of an Oil Filter to the engine and was wondering what the group thinks.

Have any of you installed an Oil Filter adapter? 

I saw that M20Doc suggested the Lycoming option over the remote install, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere other than Aircraft Spruce where it is ~$1800 vs some of the remote options elsewhere that are in the $600-800 ranges.

Am I incorrect in my initial parts prices?  

I am looking for the Pro's & Con's from those who've been through this process.

Thanks in advance.

Matt

[carusoam]

How hard did you look?

I put a few words from your post above into the search function...

https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q=Oil Filter adapter&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&search_and_or=and

Or did you have specific questions regarding what you found out so far?

Best regards,

-a-

[hobbit64]

1 hour ago, carusoam said:

How hard did you look?

I put a few words from your post above into the search function...

https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q=Oil Filter adapter&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&search_and_or=and

Or did you have specific questions regarding what you found out so far?

Best regards,

-a-

I have spent several hours looking into (...and using the MooneySpace search function...) the oil filter add-on.

I have not specifically found write up's with respect to the Lycoming adapter vs After Market/Non-OEM devices.

There is a significant cost difference from what I have been able to ascertain, and I am wondering if there is a benefit to proceeding down the Lycoming route.

Thanks for the link, I will look into those threads.  The PVC no spill technique looks great.

--Professional Pilot thoughts, not a well trained A&P or computer sleuth 

[kortopates]

1 hour ago, hobbit64 said:

I have spent several hours looking into (...and using the MooneySpace search function...) the oil filter add-on.

The mooneyspace search function is terrible! Google works far better, just start with typing the following into Google search:

oil adapter site:mooneyspace.com

[A64Pilot]

I would add the Air Wolf remote filter. I do think there is an advantage to having a filter, but it’s not overwhelming, I don’t have a filter on my C-85 in my C-140 for instance and probably won’t add one. But an IO-360 is a bit more money.

‘Air Wolf’s is well thought out and safe from what I can tell. some others not so much

[0TreeLemur]

The oil filter route provides 50 h oil change interval as opposed to only 25 h with a screen only.  This represents a big cost savings but only if you fly a lot.   If you fly less than 100 h per year, you will have considerably fewer than 50 hours per recommended 4 month oil change interval.

An oil filter can provided early indication of engine problems.   Last year I detected increasing amounts of aluminum glitter in my oil filter after changes, which alerted me to a piston pin plug being cheese grated by a failing cylinder nitride coating.

[jetdriven]

10 hours ago, hobbit64 said:

I've been searching for topics regarding the addition of an Oil Filter to the engine and was wondering what the group thinks.

Have any of you installed an Oil Filter adapter? 

I saw that M20Doc suggested the Lycoming option over the remote install, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere other than Aircraft Spruce where it is ~$1800 vs some of the remote options elsewhere that are in the $600-800 ranges.

Am I incorrect in my initial parts prices?  

I am looking for the Pro's & Con's from those who've been through this process.

Thanks in advance.

Matt

I just replaced an oil filter adapter on a 172...the part was $188, from Aviall. It’s actually at Donaldson Item.  

[hobbit64]

I appreciate all of your replies!  Good Google Search hack , Thanks!

I will have to look into Air Wolf's model, heck if an Apache pilot thinks it's good... it's gotta be worth it.

I had not thought of the extra scrutiny I'd be afforded in the filter at oil change time.

[Andy95W]

My suggestion depends on the year of your airplane.  If it’s a 1964 (like your screen name) then I would definitely do the remote filter.  That way, instead of removing all 3 pieces of your upper cowling (and about 100 screws) you will only have to remove one side.

If you have a cowling with the 1/4 turn Camlock fasteners, I’d get the “normal” oil filter adapter that goes on the back of the engine.

[Guest]

Remote oil filters add more to future maintenance and potential sources of leaks and the mounting bracket is fastened to your really thin stainless steel firewall.

Clarence

[A64Pilot]

14 hours ago, hobbit64 said:

I appreciate all of your replies!  Good Google Search hack , Thanks!

I will have to look into Air Wolf's model, heck if an Apache pilot thinks it's good... it's gotta be worth it.

I had not thought of the extra scrutiny I'd be afforded in the filter at oil change time.

No, don’t go by me, I get the info second hand, but I believe there are some factory adapters that are having problems, and while Air Wolf isn’t cheap I’ve had good luck with their other products, their wet vacuum pump for instance, I believe it’s just a Pesco pump, but it will outlast an engine, a dry pump, maybe 300 hours?

There are SAIB’s etc on several oil filter adapters

https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo/all_safos/media/2021/SAFO21001.pdf

https://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/noticeView.aspx?nid=11590

https://www.askbob.aero/content/lycoming-engines-sap-oil-filter-adapter-saib-ne-10-27

 

So while I would say that a filter is better, largely as was already stated it’s a great inspection media, but adapters may bring their own issues that need to be thought about, it’s not just a filter, an adapter has to be installed too of course.

Edited March 26, 2021 by A64Pilot

[Guest]

Those examples seem to relate to aftermarket oil filter adapters not factory Lycoming parts.

Clarence

[philiplane]

The screen will capture smaller particles than you think. Small enough, that anything smaller that could get by would simply pass through the generous clearances in the bearings. Your engine already lasted 50 years with the screen. 

That said, a spin on filter is easier to service, and using the Lycoming adapter is the best way to get one on your engine. The remote filters add hoses to an already crowded space, and the filter mount has to go somewhere. Firewall locations may be convenient but the firewall isn't designed to hold something that will be torqued on a regular basis. 

[A64Pilot]

1 hour ago, M20Doc said:

Those examples seem to relate to aftermarket oil filter adapters not factory Lycoming parts.

Clarence

It may be Continental’s that has the issue, but one of the manufacturers has a problem with the adapter loosening and the engine losing oil. I believe it’s the one Cessna uses or maybe it’s the one Continental uses on the engines it supplies to Cessna?

I didn’t dig into it, just came across it.

Either way what I was trying to point out is that adding an oil filter is of course adding more than a filter, the adapter is another failure point, and while I’m making no claims myself, sometimes well meaning modifications come with their own set of problems.

‘For instance my Mooney has some kind of Emergency Vacuum system, and while I’ve not dug into it, I believe it may be more of a problem than a cure.

‘I think I may be removing it at the next annual if I find out that it’s more of a safety issue than what it’s trying to prevent.

[carusoam]

A64,

If you have the PreciseFlight plumbing that uses manifold pressure to generate the back-up vacuum...

There is plenty written about how to use them...   and a few situations where they probably won’t work well enough to be a real back-up...

The plumbing device is no longer in production, it got replaced by an actual back-up vacuum pump by the same company...

The plumbing device becomes dangerous...

• When using WOT... The vac required is generated by throttling the intake...
• Over high terrain...
• When at MGTW...
• Familiarity and recency and a chart mounted on the instrument panel really help...

The system falls down when you need WOT to maintain altitude over the ground...  which isn’t very high some days when fully loaded on a warm day...

Having the chart mounted on your panel to get MP vs. vacuum level is important... because you don’t have the luxury of figuring it out before the gyros wind down...

So... it’s probably best to toss that device out... and go with a real back-up AI...

That thing is many generations from being modern...  and it’s an awful trap for anyone not familiar...

Kind of like having a worn TC... it works really good in smooth air... and becomes impossible to follow the moment it gets bumpy...

PP thoughts only, not a CFI... or instrument guru...

Best regards,

-a-

[A64Pilot]

The chart is mounted on the panel and yes I’m familiar how it works, it works off of intake vacuum of course so you must have low manifold pressure to get vacuum, so assumption is prop to full RPM and then reduce throttle as much as you can and still maintain flight, vacuum gauge should still work

‘There is an recurring AD that I’ve not read yet, but recurring AD’s often exist for things maybe I’d just as soon do without.

‘I put an Air Wolf wet pump on the last airplane and was real happy with it, I may look at that for this one, maybe the best backup is a system that’s reliable enough to not require one?

[59Moonster]

I've got a 59 O-360 and there is no way the Lycoming adapter would have fit into that already crammed space. So far, really enjoy my Airwolfe and it makes the oil changes super easy. 

[A64Pilot]

If the firewall is indeed flimsy, then maybe a doubler should be added, before the firewall cracks.

‘Then you get to shoot Monel rivets  They work harden fast so don’t play around with them, shoot them.

[RobertGary1]

On 3/25/2021 at 10:00 AM, A64Pilot said:

I would add the Air Wolf remote filter. I do think there is an advantage to having a filter, but it’s not overwhelming, I don’t have a filter on my C-85 in my C-140 for instance and probably won’t add one. But an IO-360 is a bit more money.

‘Air Wolf’s is well thought out and safe from what I can tell. some others not so much

I just have to say I’m super jelly. I learned to fly in a Cessna 140. I sure miss flying it.  

[Nimush]

The idea that adding an oil filter would increase the maintenance work and contribute to leaking shows that someone isn't doing the maintenance on their aircraft.  The maintenance manual checklist for an annual/100 hour/50 hour inspection has you removing and inspecting the screen (item 5 on the whole checklist), which actually takes more stuff apart and requires gaskets that the oil filter does not.  If you are not doing this and signing off the inspection, you are a pencil whipper and should be kicked out of the profession. 

You pull 4 bolts, 8 washers, the pressure screen housing, and replace a 61173 gasket, and another gasket if you have the thermostatic valve in the housing.   

With the filter, you unscrew the old filter, screw on the new one, and safety it.  (As an A&P/IA, to me a pilot is just another airplane part, and usually the one most likely to fail.  It  is not designed or certified to perform any maintenance function, and should never be relied upon to do so.)  The oil filter is a good idea.