Lycoming Suction Screen

[bnt83]

After reading that some run-out engines are returned to the factory, who finds the factory safety wire on the suction screen, I wonder how many of you religiously pull and check it at oil change.

So if/when do you pull it? Did you even know it existed?

 

[Skylane81E]

Remove what?
:wink2:

 

[EdFred]

IA pulls it at annual. Which in this case, happened to be the first oil change since the last time he pulled it.

 

[Bill Watson]

After reading that some run-out engines are returned to the factory, who finds the factory safety wire on the suction screen, I wonder how many of you religiously pull and check it at oil change.

So if/when do you pull it? Did you even know it existed?

I just pulled mine last week for the first time. Not much in it - 1 small shaving which I assume is a leftover from the manufacturing process on a <300 hour engine

I always knew it existed but I never checked on my Maule when I did changes. I assumed my IA did.

I think some engine models lack a filter and the screen is the only filtration device.

It's coarse and looks like it will only pick up sizeable metal particles. The filter does the work when present.

 

[bnt83]

I just pulled mine last week for the first time. Not much in it - 1 small shaving which I assume is a leftover from the manufacturing process on a <300 hour engine

I always knew it existed but I never checked on my Maule when I did changes. I assumed my IA did.

I think some engine models lack a filter and the screen is the only filtration device.

It's coarse and looks like it will only pick up sizeable metal particles. The filter does the work when present.

Some are very difficult to R&R and I'm sure that contributes to the descision "just forget about it".

 

[Ted]

The suction screen? You mean that thing that is fresh at overhaul and then gets touched again at the following overhaul?

 

[bnt83]

The suction screen? You mean that thing that is fresh at overhaul and then gets touched again at the following overhaul?

Lyconisours apparently need a removable suction screen because large chunks fall into the sump frequently...

 

[Skylane81E]

Lyconisours apparently need a removable suction screen because large chunks fall into the sump frequently...

 

[kyleb]

After reading that some run-out engines are returned to the factory, who finds the factory safety wire on the suction screen, I wonder how many of you religiously pull and check it at oil change.

So if/when do you pull it? Did you even know it existed?

I pull it about 3 times a year, which, coincidentally, is how often I change the oil. Pulling it isn't the problem. Re-safetying the thing is a trial...

 

[Dan Thomas]

Lyconisours apparently need a removable suction screen because large chunks fall into the sump frequently...

WE used to pull them occasionally if we saw a bit more crap in the filters than usual. Never found much.

Continental has suction screens, too, but to get at them you'd have to start taking the engine apart. Makes troubleshooting much more work.

For those wondering what the suction screen is, see the attachment. Bottom right of the crankcase. The oil filter screen, on the other hand, is up high on the right.

As far as Lyconisaurs needing a trash filter for the pickup: Haven't you ever had an auto engine apart? They all have suction screens, too.

Dan

 

[Ted]

Lyconisours apparently need a removable suction screen because large chunks fall into the sump frequently...

I knew I left my wrench somewhere...

 

[Geico266]

After reading that some run-out engines are returned to the factory, who finds the factory safety wire on the suction screen, I wonder how many of you religiously pull and check it at oil change.

So if/when do you pull it? Did you even know it existed?

Safety wire is not the problem. Breaking off the little ears on the housing are when the PO over tightened it on a bad gasket.

 

[bnt83]

Safety wire is not the problem. Breaking off the little ears on the housing are when the PO over tightened it on a bad gasket.

That would suck

Good thing EAB can fix those with any crafty method

 

[NavAir]

I remove, inspect, clean, and replace it using a new crush gasket every oil change. The only thing I've ever found in it (>500 hours) is a few (carbon?) flakes.

I tend to be OCD when it comes to maintenance...

Steve

 

[kmead]

Every oil change. It's hard to believe what I have found in the Mirage engines.

 

[poadeleted20]

We pull the bottom screen on my Lycoming O-360 at annual, but not on the oil changes every 50 hours where we only pull, check, and replace the filter. I think that's pretty common practice unless you fly your plane a lot more hours than I do (150-200/year). If you have an engine without a full-flow oil filter, checking the screen at every oil change is a lot more important.

 

[JHW]

We pull the bottom screen on my Lycoming O-360 at annual, but not on the oil changes every 50 hours where we only pull, check, and replace the filter. I think that's pretty common practice unless you fly your plane a lot more hours than I do (150-200/year). If you have an engine without a full-flow oil filter, checking the screen at every oil change is a lot more important.

Same here, pulling at every oil change is excessive and just too darn inconvenient. I also don't pull the oil screen on my volkswagen very often.

 

[Skylane81E]

I remove, inspect, clean, and replace it using a new crush gasket every oil change. The only thing I've ever found in it (>500 hours) is a few (carbon?) flakes.

I tend to be OCD when it comes to maintenance...

Steve

Only thing I have found short of normal bits of carbon was half a broken cotter pin, pulled the mags and low and behold there was the castle nut with the other half in it.

 

[Skylane81E]

Also, if we are honest the location often at best doesn't encourage frequent removal.

Now when they are right on the side of the sump like these 540-J2BDs I've got in right now you'd be silly not to pull them.