Safety wiring oil filters?

[flybynightkarmarepair]

A question for those flying auto converisons - how do you secure the
oil filter?

Aviation oil filters have safety wire tabs. FRAM HP filter, which for
various reason are what I need to use on my VW based conversion, no
got. Oil filters typically go on finger tight. Losing your oil filter
could ruin your WHOLE day.

Anybody got any ideas how to secure this bad thing? I've thought about
forming a little "hat" out of a stainless steel mixing bowl that would
at least keep it from falling off. And silver soldering on some
tabs...

Any ideas?

[Dan]

flybynightkarmarepair wrote:
> A question for those flying auto converisons - how do you secure the
> oil filter?
>
> Aviation oil filters have safety wire tabs. FRAM HP filter, which for
> various reason are what I need to use on my VW based conversion, no
> got. Oil filters typically go on finger tight. Losing your oil filter
> could ruin your WHOLE day.
>
> Anybody got any ideas how to secure this bad thing? I've thought about
> forming a little "hat" out of a stainless steel mixing bowl that would
> at least keep it from falling off. And silver soldering on some
> tabs...
>
> Any ideas?
>
Put a big ole adel clamp around the filter and viola, a safety wire tab.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[flybynightkarmarepair]

Just answered my own question with a web search, which is what I should
have done first.

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0002_hand/

put a hose clamp around the filter, then wire the hose clamp to the
filter adapter.

Or, buy a K&N filter, which has the high pressure properties of the
FRAM HP series, plus safety wire tabs.

[Stuart & Kathryn Fields]

I selected a filter that has a hexagonal nut on the end as a part of the
body. I drilled a safety wire hole thru the nut (it doesn't leak). Been
doing this for about 3years with no problem.

--
Stu Fields
Experimental Helo magazine
P. O. Box 1585
Inyokern, CA 93527
(760) 377-4478
(760) 408-9747 general and layout cell
(760) 608-1299 technical and advertising cell

www.vkss.com
www.experimentalhelo.com


"flybynightkarmarepair" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Just answered my own question with a web search, which is what I should
> have done first.
>
> http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0002_hand/
>
> put a hose clamp around the filter, then wire the hose clamp to the
> filter adapter.
>
> Or, buy a K&N filter, which has the high pressure properties of the
> FRAM HP series, plus safety wire tabs.
>

[clare at snyder.on.ca]

On 20 Mar 2006 07:49:04 -0800, "flybynightkarmarepair"
> wrote:

>A question for those flying auto converisons - how do you secure the
>oil filter?
>
>Aviation oil filters have safety wire tabs. FRAM HP filter, which for
>various reason are what I need to use on my VW based conversion, no
>got. Oil filters typically go on finger tight. Losing your oil filter
>could ruin your WHOLE day.
>
>Anybody got any ideas how to secure this bad thing? I've thought about
>forming a little "hat" out of a stainless steel mixing bowl that would
>at least keep it from falling off. And silver soldering on some
>tabs...
>
>Any ideas?

BIG hose clamp around the flter - tie off the clamp.

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[clare at snyder.on.ca]

On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 10:28:53 -0800, "Stuart & Kathryn Fields"
> wrote:

>I selected a filter that has a hexagonal nut on the end as a part of the
>body. I drilled a safety wire hole thru the nut (it doesn't leak). Been
>doing this for about 3years with no problem.
The old Hastings filters were nice that way - you could easily drill
the "nut"
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[Paulb6]

I agree with Dan, the Adel clamp generally has a rubber piece attached that
would prevent the clamp from chafing the filter or puncturing the filter
from vibration.
"flybynightkarmarepair" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>A question for those flying auto converisons - how do you secure the
> oil filter?
>
> Aviation oil filters have safety wire tabs. FRAM HP filter, which for
> various reason are what I need to use on my VW based conversion, no
> got. Oil filters typically go on finger tight. Losing your oil filter
> could ruin your WHOLE day.
>
> Anybody got any ideas how to secure this bad thing? I've thought about
> forming a little "hat" out of a stainless steel mixing bowl that would
> at least keep it from falling off. And silver soldering on some
> tabs...
>
> Any ideas?
>

[Kyle Boatright]

"flybynightkarmarepair" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>A question for those flying auto converisons - how do you secure the
> oil filter?
>
> Aviation oil filters have safety wire tabs. FRAM HP filter, which for
> various reason are what I need to use on my VW based conversion, no
> got. Oil filters typically go on finger tight. Losing your oil filter
> could ruin your WHOLE day.

You're right that losing one could ruin your whole day.

My question is: "How many automotive oil filters do you know of that have
fallen off?" I don't know of a single one.

Some of the things we safety in aviation vs some of the things we don't are
pretty interesting.

For instance, we don't safety the AN fittings on fuel and oil lines. Why
not? What makes these different from the oil filter?

KB

>
> Anybody got any ideas how to secure this bad thing? I've thought about
> forming a little "hat" out of a stainless steel mixing bowl that would
> at least keep it from falling off. And silver soldering on some
> tabs...
>
> Any ideas?
>

[Ron Wanttaja]

On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 22:04:36 -0500, "Kyle Boatright" >
wrote:

>
>"flybynightkarmarepair" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>>A question for those flying auto converisons - how do you secure the
>> oil filter?
>>
>> Aviation oil filters have safety wire tabs. FRAM HP filter, which for
>> various reason are what I need to use on my VW based conversion, no
>> got. Oil filters typically go on finger tight. Losing your oil filter
>> could ruin your WHOLE day.
>
>You're right that losing one could ruin your whole day.
>
>My question is: "How many automotive oil filters do you know of that have
>fallen off?" I don't know of a single one.

I was on a long road trip in my 1979 Camaro when I happened to look under the
car during a rest stop and spotted oil dripping. My filter had backed off.
Hadn't fallen away, but it sure wasn't sealing.

Ron Wanttaja

[Morgans]

"Kyle Boatright" > wrote

> You're right that losing one could ruin your whole day.
>
> My question is: "How many automotive oil filters do you know of that have
> fallen off?" I don't know of a single one.
>
> Some of the things we safety in aviation vs some of the things we don't
are
> pretty interesting.
>
> For instance, we don't safety the AN fittings on fuel and oil lines. Why
> not? What makes these different from the oil filter?

Darned good observations, that I have also thought about.

Ever slightly over tighten an oil filter on a car? I'm talking about just a
half turn too much?

It will cost you many minutes of severe language, and a loss of patience.
I've had to pound a screw driver through them, when a strap filter would not
get a grip. I've had that not work, and end up crushing the end of the
filter with a giant pair of channel locks, to grip it well enough to turn.

So what is the answer? It prolly would not need to be safety wired, but
would I, if I was flying an auto conversion? Prolly would. <g>
--
Jim in NC

[Richard Lamb]

Ron Wanttaja wrote:
> On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 22:04:36 -0500, "Kyle Boatright" >
> wrote:
>
>
>>"flybynightkarmarepair" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>>
>>>A question for those flying auto converisons - how do you secure the
>>>oil filter?
>>>
>>>Aviation oil filters have safety wire tabs. FRAM HP filter, which for
>>>various reason are what I need to use on my VW based conversion, no
>>>got. Oil filters typically go on finger tight. Losing your oil filter
>>>could ruin your WHOLE day.
>>
>>You're right that losing one could ruin your whole day.
>>
>>My question is: "How many automotive oil filters do you know of that have
>>fallen off?" I don't know of a single one.
>
>
> I was on a long road trip in my 1979 Camaro when I happened to look under the
> car during a rest stop and spotted oil dripping. My filter had backed off.
> Hadn't fallen away, but it sure wasn't sealing.
>
> Ron Wanttaja

Interesting...

I had a small oil puddle under the Blazer a while back.

Since it was right after an oil change, I took it back
and had it checked.

Couldn't find anything wrong, but it hasn't leaked since.


Richard

[[email protected]]

The Rotax 912 series of aircraft engines use an automotive-style oil
filter, and no means of wiring. When tightened properly, they seem to
grip more and more with use. My experience with automobile filters has
been the same. I don't think they need wiring, but that's only my
opinion.
tom pettit

[Stuart & Kathryn Fields]

I agree with Tom on this. I don't safety wire the filter because I think it
might come loose, I safety wire it because I feel better. It doesn't cost
much in weight or time and it sure eliminates one possible, though not
probable, problem.

--
Stu Fields
Experimental Helo magazine
P. O. Box 1585
Inyokern, CA 93527
(760) 377-4478
(760) 408-9747 general and layout cell
(760) 608-1299 technical and advertising cell

www.vkss.com
www.experimentalhelo.com


> wrote in message
oups.com...
> The Rotax 912 series of aircraft engines use an automotive-style oil
> filter, and no means of wiring. When tightened properly, they seem to
> grip more and more with use. My experience with automobile filters has
> been the same. I don't think they need wiring, but that's only my
> opinion.
> tom pettit
>

[jerry wass]

Stuart & Kathryn Fields wrote:

> I agree with Tom on this. I don't safety wire the filter because I think it
> might come loose, I safety wire it because I feel better. It doesn't cost
> much in weight or time and it sure eliminates one possible, though not
> probable, problem.
>
I use an auto filter, I take a 3-or 4" radiator hose clamp (worm-gear
type)and tighten it so that the back end of the screw butts up against a
part of the filter bracket such that the filter can't un/screw.---This
to be done just under the crimp -top- of the filter.

NOTE--NOTE--NOTE-- casually inspect top of the filter for an extra
rubber sealing ring---I Had it HAPPEN--the extra rubber blows out at the
first appearance of oil pressure---It leaked out 4 of the 5 qts of new
oil by the time I drove 9 blocks--luckily it was still leaking when I
stopped
and saw the trail.

[[email protected]]

On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 22:04:36 -0500, "Kyle Boatright"
> wrote:

>My question is: "How many automotive oil filters do you know of that have
>fallen off?" I don't know of a single one.
>
>Some of the things we safety in aviation vs some of the things we don't are
>pretty interesting.
>
>For instance, we don't safety the AN fittings on fuel and oil lines. Why
>not? What makes these different from the oil filter?

I've heard of it happening, although it never happened to me.
Airplanes aren't like cars though, they have a prop which causes a LOT
more vibration than the engine in a car experiences. That's why oil
filters on airplane ARE safety wired.

AN fittings are different from oil filters, they are a lot smaller and
you really crank them on the threaded fittings. They don't have the
same mass as an oil filter and because they are flexible, they don't
experience the same vibrational frequencies. Or at least that's my
take.

Corky Scott

[clare at snyder.on.ca]

On Thu, 23 Mar 2006 14:59:33 -0500,
wrote:

>On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 22:04:36 -0500, "Kyle Boatright"
> wrote:
>
>>My question is: "How many automotive oil filters do you know of that have
>>fallen off?" I don't know of a single one.
>>
>>Some of the things we safety in aviation vs some of the things we don't are
>>pretty interesting.
>>
>>For instance, we don't safety the AN fittings on fuel and oil lines. Why
>>not? What makes these different from the oil filter?
>
>I've heard of it happening, although it never happened to me.
>Airplanes aren't like cars though, they have a prop which causes a LOT
>more vibration than the engine in a car experiences. That's why oil
>filters on airplane ARE safety wired.

You haven't driven much on "salt belt" highways, eh??
Washboard/frost-pocked roads are rougher than a LOT of aircraft!
>
>AN fittings are different from oil filters, they are a lot smaller and
>you really crank them on the threaded fittings. They don't have the
>same mass as an oil filter and because they are flexible, they don't
>experience the same vibrational frequencies. Or at least that's my
>take.
>
>Corky Scott

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[[email protected]]

On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 11:48:11 -0500, clare at snyder.on.ca wrote:

>You haven't driven much on "salt belt" highways, eh??
>Washboard/frost-pocked roads are rougher than a LOT of aircraft!

I live in Vermont Clare, we call that stuff "frost heaves" and what we
have here is legondary. I've seen guys dent their roofs from being
bumped by the frost heaves. Imagine mile after mile of close together
speed bumps.

But that kind of bumping is not like the frequency at which a prop
vibrates. Whole different thing. Besides, folks slow down for them,
or loose their suspension.

Or at least that's my take.

Corky Scott