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I am assembling my newly received Aerovee engine kit. I am very disappointed with the screen as an oil filter. The porosity of the screen would stop nothing smaller than about 1/16 inch. Most metal bits created and circulating through the engine would pass. Has anyone installed some type of spin on oil filter? I am thinking that something between the oil exit to the oil cooler and the oil cooler.

Stan Tew, Montgomery AL, Onex 85

Hi Stan,

Part of the new turbo kit is a sump mounted oil filter system. Personally, I'd wait for that. The factory stated at Oshkosh that the filter will be an option on all AeroVee's, even if you don't install the turbo.

If you want to add a remote oil filter you can but more than one person has blown the oil seal on "store bought" filters during high oil pressure startups. If you go this route, be careful!

The main reason that an oil filter is required on an engine is to extend the time between oil changes. The Aerovee changes the oil at 25 hour intervals. Any contaminants are disposed of at that point. If you were really concerned you could even change oil more often (like during the breakin period).

So, do you spend a few dollars extra for frequent oil changes...or carry around additional weight and complexity (as well as the additional up front cost) of a filter system.

Thanks to both that responded.

I will wait for the oil sump filter. It is not yet posted as available on the web store. Since I have some time before starting & running my engine this should work out well. The other suggestion was to change oil more frequently. I have to reject that on the basis that just a little bit of grit and/or metal debris can ruin an engine in less than an hour. If it has been working for you then I'm glad for you and you should continue. I just do not want to start down that path.

stan2tew wrote:I am assembling my newly received Aerovee engine kit. I am very disappointed with the screen as an oil filter. The porosity of the screen would stop nothing smaller than about 1/16 inch. Most metal bits created and circulating through the engine would pass. Has anyone installed some type of spin on oil filter? I am thinking that something between the oil exit to the oil cooler and the oil cooler.

Stan Tew, Montgomery AL, Onex 85

When I originally build mine I installed a remote spin on. It blew the oil seal on
the filter with resulting loss of all oil and making a huge mess. Fortunately this happened during
maneuvering on the ground to swing the compass and not on the first flight. The
seal on the filter that mates with the adapter surface seems to be the weak
point. I would recommend against this.

Out of an abundance of caution I did pull the engine and tear it down to inspect
all the bearings before flying it.

RT

RT,

Any idea why the seal failed? Too much pressure? Poor quality filter? Seal didn't match surface on the spin-on?

What brand & number filter did you use?

I want to avoid a similar occurrence.

While I'm not 100% positive, I believe a lot of the issue is overpressure on startup.

Hi I tried using the EMPI filter mount 5327 and the HP-1 filter and oil blew pass the seal. I also tried three other filters before the HP-1 and they all failed.

The pump I was using from CIP was number 5386E.

I'm not sure if the pump is putting out too much pressure. But the filter just won't seal to the mount.

For now I'm removing the pump and filter assemble. I'm having high oil temps so I may install a second oil cooler for the break in period (I have an ONEX with the top mounted cooler) I'll have to call the factory first to see what they think...

I have a ONEX with 18 hours on the AeroVee. My oil temperatures are too high despite doing everything suggested by Sonex. I am also thinking about adding a bottom oil cooler, and I'd like to discuss the matter, as well as, your own experiences.

John,
Do you have any pictures of your setup?