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Oil analysis interpretation

V

vj88

Registered User
Anchorage, AK
A buddies O-320 making metal. Visible aluminum in screen. Wrist pins are thought to be the source but was curious of others thoughts. History; 1975 150 horse engine, Around 1990 at 800 hours got new top end. 2500 tt today. No prior oil analysis done for trending. have a call in with Lycoming as well. P
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Aluminum wrist pin end plugs? They do wear out, but with a high time engine stuff's starting to fall off. Pull the valve covers and have a look at the innards.

Gary
 
What Mike said. Good to have a history to compare to. I know coming out of winter after a couple of cold starts will create more metal than usual. Lycoming recommends changing oil and filter and check it again after 25 hours. 10 to 15 hours might give you a good indication.
 
Sounds like to me it is telling you something. Did they check the suction screen? Pull rocker covers and look at condition? Compresssions? Oil consumption? Borescope inspection?
 
Or you can pull jugs if you are really concerned and look inside. The more metal, the more worry some people have, good luck!
 
vj88 said:
.. O-320 making metal. Visible aluminum in screen. .. Around 1990 at 800 hours got new top end. 2500 tt today.
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vj88 said:
It has made metal for the last 200 hrs.
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How much visible aluminum in the screen and how big are the particles?
Recommended by Lycoming TBO on that engine is 2000 hours. Yes, some do go much more and yes it is the owner and mechanic's decision when not used commercially.
As Steve said, that engine is sending you a message. It has a tummy ache, it would be a shame if it got really sick and threw up when out in the bush.
 
mike mcs repair said:
Then it’s not about to fall out of the sky. Keep running it. Some engines are just metal makers. But keep checking screen...
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Occasionally finding metal, OK...but continuously making metal?
IMHO metal in an engine is like smoke in avionics--
there's only so much that can leak out before it fails.
An engine making metal can be just fine....until it isn't.
 
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