Lycoming TEO-540-C1A Maintenance Manual page 104

Quantity – If more than five small particulates are on almost every panel in the oil filter element
or if there is a 1/4 teaspoon full of metallic particles from an oil suction screen, these metallic
particles require immediate analysis because they can be an indication of an engine component
being worn or damaged.
Color – Metallic particles can vary in color: black, shiny silver or gray metal, bronze or brass –
all of which can be an indicator toward the affected engine component.
Magnetic/Not Magnetic – Most ferrous alloy materials can be picked up by a magnet. However,
some stainless steel and non-ferrous materials such as aluminum, magnesium, tin, cadmium,
zinc, etc. cannot be picked up with a magnet.
The visual inspection procedure is slightly different for oil filter elements and screens:
Visual inspection for oil filter element:
Remove the oil filter element from the oil filter
canister.
Drain all fluid oil through a strainer cloth or paper
to remove oil from the oil filter, and oil suction
screen as much as possible to enable better
visibility of the metallic particles and prevent loss
of metallic particles. Since quantity matters, try
not to lose particles. Loss of metallic particles can
compromise the integrity of this inspection.
Open up and unravel the oil filter element on a
clean sheet of white paper or cloth.
Use bright light illumination to look at the panels
and folds on the filter element for any shiny
metallic solids.
Look for any copper-colored metallic particles.
Estimate the size and number of metallic particles. Estimate the size and number of metallic particles.
Typically, small metallic particles, chips, and chunks on either the oil filter element or oil suction
screen during the first oil change of a new, rebuilt, or overhauled engine, are acceptable. After an
initial break-in period, metal content is likely to decrease rapidly to a level that remains essentially
constant.
However, on subsequent oil changes, an increased quantity of chunks, chips, and/or small metal
particles in the oil can be evidence of engine part wear. This wear can increase over a period of time
until premature loss of form, fit, or function occurs.
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TEO-540-C1A Engine Maintenance Manual
TEO-540-C1A Engine Maintenance Manual
Visual inspection for oil suction screen:
Drain all fluid oil through a strainer cloth or paper
to remove oil from either the oil suction screen as
much as possible to enable better visibility of the
metallic particles and prevent loss of metallic
particles. Since quantity matters, try not to lose
particles. Loss of metallic particles can
compromise the integrity of this inspection.
Scrape all of the remaining metallic particles onto
a clean teaspoon, paper or cloth.
Look at metallic particles for any shiny metallic
solids.
Look for any copper-colored metallic particles.
Use non-metallic tweezers or a pick to sort chips
and particles that look different.
© 2018 Avco Corporation. All Rights Reserved
November 2018