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Challenger reusable oil filter
- Thread starter VaNewbie
- Start date
I have the K&P version of this I will sell you if interested. $75 plus shipping. PM me if interested.
I'm holding out for the Challenger version. It has slightly more filtration. Thanks for responding.
Andy
I may need a different model number challenger filter. I'm checking with the manufacturer.
No, it does not. Pure KoolAid.
I have a spare one for sell, if you like PM me with an offer. It has 20 hours on it.
The most recent "Ask the A&Ps" podcast from AOPA discusses this reusable oil filter topic again, and surprisingly Mike comes to the conclusion that the Challenger/K&P filters are "good enough." There were not any real references to why he believes they are "good enough" and some of what he said I believe is mistaken - like the Challenger filters are aluminum and have the holes cut into them. I know my K&P is stainless wire mesh - not sure about the Challenger, but I read it's the same.
I have to admit I loved everything about the K&P except that it's a crappy filter. Otherwise, it's great!
I have to admit I loved everything about the K&P except that it's a crappy filter. Otherwise, it's great!
sansoneservices
Well Known Member
Wix 51085 or Napa 1085 (for O-360) both inexpensive and MUCH better performance
Both S-15 and Challenger are stainless Dutch weave wire mesh.
I have to admit I loved everything about the K&P except that it's a crappy filter. Otherwise, it's great!
Yeah, me too, if it was twice as large and had a good fiber depth filtration insert...oh wait, Lycoming already did that....
Real world no BS. I've run Challengers in my piston helicopters for many years the engines are scoped along with compressions and labs every 100 hours, Ive not seen any issue with the reusable filters. Two things for engine longevity 1) Lead buildup is always a problem with anything, Use good oil and change it often so it can do its job scavenging lead. 2) Engines can't sit, Condensation destroys engines. If you can't fly ground run and get the engine up to operating temp at least 20 mins. We do 7 day ground runs on machines that don't fly regular. No additive will save an engine with old oil that has not flown at least monthly.
The mesh screens absolutely, positively do not filter as well as any of the fiber media filters. In a perverse way, that's a good thing, because they do not hold as much contaminant before they bypass...six times less than the worst fiber filter. They don't meet the SAE ARP1400 filtration standard set a half century ago. And the mesh size claim was indeed BS.
But you're welcome to use 'em if you like 'em.
But you're welcome to use 'em if you like 'em.
Toobuilder
Well Known Member
I dont think anyone thinks the Challenger "causes" any issues... But there is very compelling testing that proves its also NOT an effective filter for your oil. Your operational experience is evidence that you could probably run with nothing but the old school Lycoming screen and be fine.
So to be clear:
- Some Lycomings dont need an effective filter to run to TBO
- The Challenger is not an effective filter
What was scoped, top and bottom ends?
TBO was initially set with the original POS factory suction screens. None made it without regular flying. OEM doubled their recommended oil change intervals when a real filter element was incorporated.
No (mechanical/blower) forced air cooling for GA aircraft. Ground running to operating temps for 20 minutes is begging for cylinder head cracks as a minimum.
Your secondary data isn’t valid for our apps, IMO.
Pilot135pd
Well Known Member
POS = Point of Sale?
If only Lycoming knew about this and stopped telling us to avoid ground runs which they believe harm the engine end seals more than help. smh
I talked to camguard at this year's SnF and their tech claimed the anti-corrosion component activates a barrier film on the surfaces that is still present even after two years of not running. It is statically attracted to the metal and does not run off. Do we believe this is true?
Fixed that for ya...
I don't know if "ZDDP" is one of the ingredients of camguard cocktail, but take a look at this article
On the Mechanism of ZDDP Antiwear Film Formation - Tribology Letters
Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate additives are used to control wear and inhibit oxidation in almost all engine oils as well as many other types of lubricant. They limit wear primarily by forming a thick, protective, phosphate glass-based tribofilm on rubbing surfaces. This film formation can occur at...
link.springer.com
Why not just go fly them? Gotta be in them anyway. If they're just idling, they're not heating up fast enough, nor holding the oil hot enough, to help vs. just letting them sit.
