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13. Visual Inspection of the Oil Filter Element and Oil Suction Screen
When metallic particles are found on a filter element or screen, a visual inspection of the metallic
particles on the filter element or oil suction screen is to be done to help identify and narrow the
root source of affected engine components subject to wear or damage. The visual inspection
includes four attributes:
Size - "Chunks" are metallic particles larger than 3/16-inch in size; chips are smaller than
chunks. Chunks and chips require immediate analysis. Yet metallic particles can be small dust-
size particulates - that is where quantity becomes more of the issue in this case.
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.
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Page 66
YO-233-B2A Engine Maintenance Manual
TEO-540-A1A Engine Maintenance Manual
Visual inspection for oil pressure screen or oil
suction screen:
Drain all fluid oil through a strainer cloth or paper
to remove oil from either the oil pressure screen or
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.
© 2021 Avco Corporation. All Rights Reserved
February 2021
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