No-drip oil filter change - with pics!

[Chris B]

Glenn changed the oil in my plane yesterday and used a few simple tricks to make this a completely drip-free affair. This technique has been described several times on this board, but AFAIK, nobody has posted pics.

The L-bracket is 1" (2.5 cm) thin-wall aluminum, safety-wired to the fuselage. This wedges nicely into the opening directly beneath the filter.

The entire process is:
1) Warm engine to >140F
2) Drain oil. My plane had a quick-drain already installed, and the hose simply slipped over the end of the drain.
3) Install and safety-wire L-bracket
4) *Slightly* loosen filter (1" nut on rear of filter with giant open-end wrench) until it starts to drain
5) Enjoy lunch
6) Lube gasket & re-install filter (FWIW, Glenn prefers the Tempest filters)
7) Safety-wire filter (make sure to get good-quality pliers, like these)

Add oil...

Chris

[Gasser]

Nice write up. Ill give the aluminum angle stock a try. I used the plastic bag trick the first time but did need to stuff some paper towels strategically around to catch stray drips.

Thanks for the pics.

[Moonshine]

Huh, now I know what all the fuss is all about.
Very different arrangement on DA40-FP. Oil filter is remote and bolted onto the firewall, very convenient. Quick drain is on the right side of the engine.

[Steve]

The remote filter housings are definitely more accessible for changing, especially on a tight engine installation like the DA40. The downside is the requirement for two additional oil lines (which could leak and do require periodic replacement). In general, simpler is better in my book, and most of us have figured out a method (plastic bag, aluminum angle, or as in my case, custom cut oil bottle) to change it out without creating a big mess.

Steve

[Nirbm01]

Chris,

Congrat on your new airplane! send my regards to Glenn hes the best.

What about oil screen check and clean pictures?

Nir

[Chris B]

Chris,

Congrat on your new airplane! send my regards to Glenn hes the best.

What about oil screen check and clean pictures?

Nir

Hi Nir -

Thank you! I will!

Glenn: "It looks like a new airplane!"
Me:
(too bad we don't have the bouncy emoticons, since that is closer to the mark...)

I assume that you mean inspecting the filter contents(?). If so, we haven't yet opened the can, but more pics on Monday.

Chris

[bcocheran]

Thanks for posting the pic. Just did a very messy oil change!




Brad - N216DG (G1000) - 40.698 - KELK

[Lance Murray]

I use this product. Works great.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/s ... kkey=65093

[Harry Range]

The aluminum angle in the first post is exactly what I use. Mine is a 1.5 " angle and I dont even bother to tie it in place although that is a good idea. I also have a quick drain installed. I have done about 15 oil changes on my DA40 and I never spill a drop. It works well

[Chris B]

Nir was correct that the oil screen removal & cleaning was MIA. Here are the remaining pics.

Note that the filter screen crush washer is 1" (AN900-16), and the plug is safety-wired to the small boss very close to the threads (directly opposite the drip in the photo with the plug removed).

Most (all?) of the larger debris will be trapped in the filter screen, but fortunately mine had only two small items.
Overall the engine is in excellent shape!

Chris