On 6 Jan 2007 06:50:33 -0800, "Jay Honeck" wrote:

Ahhh no, I didn't forget the filter. I fly an "old" airplane. I just
check for chunks in the screen.

Ah. Therein lies the rub -- it's the damned filter that adds an hour
to the process, even with our Airwolf remote mount. (It was 90
minutes, and a LOT more mess, before that trick pony was installed --
best thing I ever added to the plane...)

As "I recall" (Please note weasel words) when I was flying the
Cherokee 180 which had a so called spin off filter, after opening the
quick drain, we'd grab the wire with a pair of pliers and "pull".
Strap wrench around the filter to break it loose, and with a big wad
of paper towls around the lower half at the front of the filter we'd
turn it out. (spinning produced a real mess). If you held your mouth
just right, said the right incantations, AND the filter didn't slip as
you tipped it drippy end up this part was about 5 minutes.

It's been too long to remember how the mechanic showd us how to open
the filter but it didn't take him two minutes to split the filter,
pull out a chunk of paper, unfold it and check for metal. What ever it
was it I always think of an ax :-)) It was sharp, fast, and efficient
although the filter wasn't exactly pretty afterwards.


First you cut the safety wire. Then (in my case) unscrew the pipe
clamp around the filter that holds a little piece of rubber between the
filter and the fire wall. (This prevents the filter from hanging free
and vibrating -- a little mod my A&P added that works great.)

Then you unscrew the (thank God, now vertical -- it was formerly
mounted sideways) oil filter. No matter what, this is a mess, but I've
devised a milk jug device that catches most of the spillage. Then you
have to stand there and wait anywhere from 30 seconds to four minutes
before the oil stops running out, or you'll be cleaning the floor (and
the bottom of the cowl) when you're done.

Remember it only takes less than a spoon full to cover the entire
bottom Then it's off to the drain pan, where you must wait for the
filter to

If you've ever seen an engine making metal (ours was, at the pre-buy
inspection, back in '02) you know what you're looking for -- and it's
unmistakeable. You hold your breath while you carefully examine the
folds, knowing that this is the $20,000 moment of truth.

Just remember, ignorance is bliss. It may be dangerous but it's still
bliss.


Assuming all is clean, you may then celebrate another 25 - 50 hours of
trouble-free engine life.of the airplane in seconds.:-))


I enjoy changing the oil, but it isn't a 20 minute process. Usually at

I used to rebuild tractor engines between seasons. I kinda got tired
of changing rings, sleeves, bearings, oil, and what ever in unheated
barns in the middle of winter. Some where I went wrong and ended up
rebuilding V-8s in poorly heated or poorly cooled buildings (you pick
the season) until I ended up with a good job. Still it was fixing
things (Industrial instrumentation) BUT it did pay a whale of a lot
more. After 26 years I finally quite and went back to get a 4-year
degree. For the next 7 years I got to stay relatively clean and the
last 5 of those I was actually a boss. (at work)That's boss as no
longer at the bottom of the food chain but a long way from the top.

Now I'm retired. I have to fix our cars, lawn mowers, snow blowers,
yard tractors, furnace, water heater, (I don't do airconditioners or
windows...well I did make up a set of storm windows though) my
radios, my ham antenna system, our 4 computers (which I also built and
configured) These 4 computers and gigabit network are darn near a full
time job.
I've really gotten tired of fixing things before I can use them and
oil changes fall into that category too:-)).

Still, I have one of those LP fired, catalytic heaters at about 50,000
BTU. It looks like a big pair of head lights perched atop that gas
cylinder so at least one side of me stays warm while doing winter oil
changes. That and they don't take long in the Deb. The only messy
part is trying to take the sample out of the hose with a good stream
of *HOT* oil running. The engine only has to hold up for a few more
changes and it'll be TBO. Man, if they'd come out with a 300 HP diesel
that'd fit I think I'd go the money. Course then I'd have to update
the panel and updating the panel is more than the plane's current
value.

BTW the city did go ahead and pass the ordinance to charge mechanics
not based on the field $25 for each job they do. That's going to end
up with a lot of pilots doing their own work. Flying some where else
and getting some one to sign it off. However there is nothing that
says he can't watch while I do the work and then sign it off:-))

Guess I need to send a copy of the new rules to the AOPA and see what
they say about the rules.

OTOH at my age it takes as much maintenance to keep me going as it
does the Deb and I'm only 20 years older than it.

I could use the money and I don't fly near as much as I'd like due to
spending so much time fixing things around here.
this time of year I bite the bullet and pay my A&P to do it -- but this
year that's been unnecessary, thanks to the fantastic weather.

Now today it's back in the 20s, but sunny. Still no snow. Weird.
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com