Learned something today

[PCHunt]

A simple OIL CHANGE. How easy can it be?

A very interesting article on something I thought I knew everything about, but didn't.

http://www.avweb.com/news/savvyaviat..._197700-1.html

Do you remove your oil pickup screen at every oil change? My answer: from now on I will !!

[Bubblehead]

The article does not say how to remove the oil pickup screen. Can someone post a link to how to do this?

[Kyle Boatright]

On my engine (0-320 D2J), the oil pick-up screen is located near the bottom on the aft side of the sump. From the outside, it looks like a safety wired bolt screwed into the back of the sump. To remove it, you clip the safety wire holding it in place, then unscrew the fitting, which is 5/8" or larger if I recall correctly. By the way, you'll want to do this AFTER draining the sump.

Once you get it fully unscrewed, the threaded portion pulls out and brings a tubular screen with it. I place the entire assembly on some white paper towels to drain, then look down into the screen through the open end to see if there is any debris. In addition, you can simply pull the screen out of the female socket that is in the threaded plug. If you find debris, it is time to play junior scientist and figure out what the debris is. I've never found anything other than a few flakes of engine crankcase sealant.

Once you clean the screen and slide the tubular screen back into the female socket, you can screw the entire assembly (don't forget to use a new copper sealing washer between the plug and sump) back into the sump, re-safety wire it, and you're ready to go other than adding oil and whatever other tasks remain from the oil change...

[GrayHawk]

So, what is a good source for the copper sealing washer?

[Radomir]

If it's an engine part.. A.E.R.O. is a good place to buy it But I think these can be had at Spruce as well..

[Paul Eastham]

Surely someone's got a part number for us

[az_gila]

From Lycoming

STD-111 Gasket, 1 in ID x 1 1/4 in ID x 3/32 Annular.

I believe it might also have an AN 900 number...

A whole 58 cents from AERO.....

http://www.aeroinstock.com/products/...ail/index.html

..also cross references to a MS35769-21 on the AERO site....

But, if it's 1.00 inch ID (and the plug has a 1.0 diam thread) then the correct cross-reference is MS35769-16 or the older AN900-16 number - and is a whole 39 cents from Aircraft Spruce.

Your Lycoming O-360 Operators Manual tells you to clean the screen every 100 hrs in Section 8.

gil A

[rv7boy]

Wow, you guys are great. I read the article yesterday, even made a copy of it to take to the hangar, and had some questions. I believe you guys answered all my questions. What a great resource these forums are!
Thanks again.
Don

[jdmunzell]

Wow, an interesting and eye opening article. I once had an older C-172 with an O-300 Continental, and it had accessible oil screens. In fact, because the engine did not have a spin on oil filter, I had to change the oil every 25 hrs. and pull and check/clean these screens as well. Fortunately, never found anything abnormal in the screens.

These copper gaskets are "crush" gaskets and must be replaced with new everytime the screen is taken out. They're cheap, so get a few of them when you do, for future oil changes.

I used to get mine at the local FBO maintenance shop. They're pretty common and usually in stock at any shop....save you on shipping costs maybe.

[frankh]

Ok its coming out next oil change

Frank
IO360 270 hours