Citabria Remote oil filter or oil adapter

Rick

Rick

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 26, 2019
Messages
50
Location
Spruce Creek Fly-in Florida
Hello everyone I tried to search the site for a previous discussion about oil filters and didn't see anything. I am starting to research options for my 96 7GCBC with the O-320 and would like to hear some pro's and con's about the remote vs adapters. Thanks for any input
 
A little off topic.

The quote and attachment is from Mike Busch - Savvy Aviator.

What is a Full-Flow Oil Filter?

"Had this owner retrofitted his engine with a full-flow oil filter, chances are good that all the metal would have been caught by the filter and the teardown avoided. I suspect that’s the first thing he’ll do after the engine comes back from the engine shop."
 

Attachments

Explorer said:
A little off topic.

The quote and attachment is from Mike Busch - Savvy Aviator.

What is a Full-Flow Oil Filter?

"Had this owner retrofitted his engine with a full-flow oil filter, chances are good that all the metal would have been caught by the filter and the teardown avoided. I suspect that’s the first thing he’ll do after the engine comes back from the engine shop."
Click to expand...
This statement should have "depending on what failed inside the motor..." somewhere in the article. I've seen a fragged motor with a clean oil filter but metal in the governor screen. So as with almost everything else, it depends...
That being said; any good filter adapter is worthwhile. Casper Labs, B&C and Airwolf are all good. If space permits I'm partial to the accessory case mounted adapters for a couple of reasons, one is the lack of hoses and fittings. Another is that some day someone will put a filter on the adapter that will, 50 hours later, require curse words and a cheater pipe to get the damn thing loose. An adapter mounted on the motor no problem. An adapter mounted on a firewall or other thin panel can and will cause damage and/or require the adapter to be removed from the engine compartment...BTDT.IF 🤬

JMPO
Chris
 
Explorer said:
Appreciated Chris,

It seems if its a proper fit, Casper Labs is the preferred choice. https://www.shortwingpipers.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-4814.html

Do you remove the primary screen when mounting and the adapter has the screen?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Yes, the screen and screen housing are removed. You then transfer your oil temperature probe and/or the vernatherm to the new filter adapter and (using a new gasket of course) bolt it up. Unless you're talking about the suction screen in the sump. That stays in place.
Prior to making the change make sure things like the tach cable aren't going to be in the way and that you have any adapters for the temp bulb etc. that might be required on hand...
After you get it installed and flying think about buying or borrowing an oil filter cutter so you can cut a filter open occasionally to look for bad stuff...

Chris
 
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Rick said:
Hello everyone I tried to search the site for a previous discussion about oil filters and didn't see anything. I am starting to research options for my 96 7GCBC with the O-320 and would like to hear some pro's and con's about the remote vs adapters. Thanks for any input
Click to expand...

I had the Airwolf kit on my 7ECA when I got it but I wasn't getting an oil temp indication. looking at the adapter design, the cavity where the oil temp sender resides is deep and doesn't self bleed if air gets up there (like when you change the sender).

I replaced it all with a B&C kit and it's been perfect ever since.

Bart
 
I installed the Casper Labs recently on the 7ECA. Bill with Casper Labs is outstanding, and will visit with you on the phone to make sure what will be needed to install the STC Spin on your particular setup. Highly recommend.
 
Don't know about dusty environments, but here in SoCal a Lycoming with a screen will go beyond TBO if flown weekly. None will get very far if parked for long periods of time.
 
My airplane was parked for several years in NorCal. I don't have any knowledge on what was potentially done to it for preservation; I suspect nothing. I fully expect an OH in the next year or two. Just a question of when the cam starts making metal.

I doubt the filter will make a difference in that. However, I have read that a filter is better than a screen at preventing metal from getting into other engine components and causing additional damage to crank and cylinders prior to rebuild. Also seems like the filter might make it easier to catch the metal fibers earlier in the process.

OTOH, maybe the easiest and most cost effective move is to leave it alone and deal with potential accessory upgrades as part of the rebuild, when it happens.
 
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Curious.

Lycoming has used just the screen in the past. When they produce new engines nowadays, do they come with Full Flow Filters as the standard?

Chris,

"After you get it installed and flying think about buying or borrowing an oil filter cutter so you can cut a filter open occasionally to look for bad stuff..."

Not sure of the logistics, but wouldn't be nice if someone would design a vertical cartridge that would house both a removable screen for inspection and paper filter that could be opened up on the bench with an exacto knife in seconds for inspection.

The current screen does the same but it would seem the paper filter picks up the finer particulate. Early warning that the engine is making metal somewhere is nice.
 
Big Ed said:
My airplane was parked for several years in NorCal. I don't have any knowledge on what was potentially done to it for preservation; I suspect nothing. I fully expect an OH in the next year or two. Just a question of when the cam starts making metal.

I doubt the filter will make a difference in that. However, I have read that a filter is better than a screen at preventing metal from getting into other engine components and causing additional damage to crank and cylinders prior to rebuild. Also seems like the filter might make it easier to catch the metal fibers earlier in the process.

OTOH, maybe the easiest and most cost effective move is to leave it alone and deal with potential accessory upgrades as part of the rebuild, when it happens.
Click to expand...
I don't know when having an actual filter on an engine came to mean having an early warning system for when your engine grenades...
An oil filter will catch grit, carbon chunks and yes, even metals that are produced every time an engine runs. The old joke is "the oil screen will catch anything with a part number"...
There is a reason the suggested oil change intervals are doubled from 25 hours with a screen vs. 50 hours with an actual filter. A screen will hold back anything in the oil stream that won't pass thru the mesh unless the constant flow wears it down and forces it thru and into the rest of the engine. A pleated filter on the other hand traps much smaller particles and holds them in the filter insuring cleaner oil, longer.
As to how long an engine can sit before it's gonna need an overhaul; nobody knows.
If rust on cam lobes and cylinder walls is the yardstick being used I'd venture to say 80% of the aircraft engines at any given airport on any given week would be classified as junk...
I've had a Beech Mouseketeer (O320) sitting in a cargo pod for 6 years in Hungary get re assembled and flown for going on 10 years in the US. Ok compressions and nothing coming apart. I've also seen a IO550 put the #6 rod thru the top of the cowling @ 600 hrs. SMOH from a reputable shop.

Keep the oil clean and have a filter. If an engine that's been sitting will make rated power, not leak or burn oil and isn't making metal just run it. These little engines are pretty damn tough...

JMPO
Chris
 
Chris,

There's something to be said for an engine that was released in 1955 and is still out there doing its thing.

The only other that comes to mind is the 985 & 1340 Radials from a 1928 design.

Appreciate your comments.

Thank you, D....
 
Some do oil analysis at each oil change. My limited experience with that is that it causes a lot of stress, and probably results in premature overhauls.
 
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