The International Cessna^® 170 Association

who do you guys use for oil analysis? In the past I always used Howard Fenton in Tulsa but he sold out to Blackstone about a year ago.

I was a long time customer of Howard Fenton, too..what a great guy! I've been using Blackstone since he sold out, and have been very satisfied with them.

I'm curious, given the initial lack of response to the question. How many 170 owners out there use oil analysis? To me, it is nice to have and helps my peace of mind, all the while understanding it is only part of the picture of your engines health. Being somewhat anal retentive about my airplane, I also cut open the filter and do a compression check myself at every 25 hour oil change.

What do you guys do out there? Russ Farris

I don't do oil analysis,but I do cut open the spin-on filter and look for debris at every change. I been doing oil changes every 35 or 40 hours since I put on the filter at overhaul. I have new ECI cylinders,but doing a comp check every oil change seems like a good idea if your cylinders are older,you could sorta see trouble coming instead of all of a sudden having a flat cylinder at annual time.

Eric

>> I'm curious, given the initial lack of response to the question. How many 170 owners out there use oil analysis? <<

I was wondering the same thing; I think only a small minority of private owners do it regularly. To me it seems like an inconsequential expense in the realm of things aviation. I sample each change as well as cut the filter pleats. I think the historical tracking is well worth the ±$50/year.

I posted the same question on the 180/185 maillist and only got 4 or 5 replies. Most also went to Blackstone, one guy liked AvLab. Apparently Aviation Consumer had an article recently comparing labs.

paul spiro
N1364D

Paul,

I use AOA (Aircraft Oil Analysis) out of Phoenix. Sampling Kits are available at Aircraft Wholesale at Merrill for about $12. I do it once or twice a year, Not every change.

Have you sold your floats yet?

Bruce Christie, N3243A

hi Bruce,

>> I use AOA (Aircraft Oil Analysis) out of Phoenix. Sampling Kits are available at Aircraft Wholesale at Merrill for about $12.

excellent option I hadn't known about.

>> Have you sold your floats yet?

nope, been firm on the price <g>. I may need them myself for some future project...

paul

I also use Blackstone Labs....and like the warm and fuzzy feeling I get seeing the trend stay the same. After I installed the Real Gaskets pushrod tube kits and silicone rocker gaskets, I was happy to see the oil trend report the increased silicone for the first oil change! Very accurate information on what is going on inside my engine.

wa4jr wrote:I also use Blackstone Labs....and like the warm and fuzzy feeling I get seeing the trend stay the same. After I installed the Real Gaskets pushrod tube kits and silicone rocker gaskets, I was happy to see the oil trend report the increased silicone for the first oil change! Very accurate information on what is going on inside my engine.

Silicone is a synthetic rubber. It is neither searched for nor reported in oil analysis.
Silicon is dirt. It is found in oil analysis and reported because it indicates faulty air filtration in your intake induction system.

Congratulations George...you are right! I had replaced my air filter with a new Brakett element a few hours ago, but on the "mother of all annuals" we found the airbox cracked two thirds of the way around which let a lot of air bypass the air filter!

wa4jr wrote:Congratulations George...you are right! I had replaced my air filter with a new Brakett element a few hours ago, but on the "mother of all annuals" we found the airbox cracked two thirds of the way around which let a lot of air bypass the air filter!

See? Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every once-in-a-while.