KITPLANES Firewall Forward: Oil Filter Cutting and Analysis

KITPLANES editor at large and experienced engine builder Paul Dye walks you through the process of cutting open the oil filter and examining the contents. What should you be looking for? Should you do oil analysis? Your questions will be answered.
This series is sponsored by Tempest Aero Group - tempestaero.com/ Visit the KITPLANES website for more tips: www.kitplanes.com/firewall-fo...
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[@ralphstrahm4429]

We all use oil, so this is a really important video. I'm always impressed by how Paul can explain these complex tasks.

[@aladincarpetcleaning6416]

These videos are very informative! I just wish there was a way more people could see the value in the subject matter being presented. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos!

[@JK-rv9tp]

I cut the can open with a really sharp wood chisel. I get no contam in the filter pleats. On the pleats, after I inspect them I throw the pleats in a container of Varsol and agitate for a while. Then I throw in a neodium magnet and swirl that through the varsol by shaking the container for several minutes to collect all the ferrous metal. I usually just get a little bit of ferrous "mud" superfine particles stuck to the magnet. Then I'll strain the varsol through a piece of dark cloth from an old shirt to look for bright non-ferrous bits.

[@garthmason369]

Wow this was a good video. Should have more "likes", but it's only been up for about a week. Download the Lycoming service bulletin mentioned in the video. 16 pages long with detailed explanations on identifying the various metals that could be found , their potential source, and corrective actions to take. They even have various methods of identifying the metal using chemicals commercially available. I just searched for "lycoming service bulletin 480F" and it came up with a Lycoming page linking to the PDF download.

[@DIYPackraft]

This is great - thanks!

[@edbreyer]

Is that the 18mm or 25mm Dewalt snap-blade knife - and do you prefer it for this job over other knives?

[@KitplanesMagazine]

It's the 25mm knife. We've been using the Tempest AA471 filter media cutter lately and like it a lot. Makes the job simpler and (a little) cleaner.

[@asdf12345929]

These oil filter cutter tools are junk. The cutting keeps falling off as there is no retainer. Waste of $130