Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc.
TM
Maintenance and Adjustments
IOF-240 Series Engine Maintenance Manual
9-11
29 November 2006
6.
Check for oil leaks as directed in section 9-3.3 “Check for Oil Leaks.”
9-3.3. Check for Oil Leaks
Procedure
WARNING
Keep the engine compartment, nacelle, and fuselage adjacent
to the nacelle clean to enable detection of any oil leaks before
flight.
1.
Check the engine nacelle, engine compartment, and adjacent area for oil leaks.
2.
If leaks are found, detect the source.
3.
Correct the cause of the leak(s).
CAUTION: Do not overfill the oil sump.
4.
Check the oil level and add oil as described in “Check and Replenish Engine Oil” in
this chapter to the specified engine model oil capacity.
9-3.4. Oil Trend Monitoring and Spectrographic Oil Analysis
Spectrographic oil analysis identifies the concentration in parts per million (PPM) of
wear material components in an oil sample collected during an oil change. (Refer to the
section “Collecting an Oil Sample” in this chapter.) This analysis is done, starting with
the first oil change sample, and continues with successive oil changes. The first few
samples establish a baseline; subsequent samples (at least three) taken over time
establish engine wear trends. These trends help determine if wear material is deviating
from the normal baseline. (Establishment of the baseline and ensuing wear trends
assume that the analyses are being done by the same laboratory using the same method
of analysis.)
The established baseline and database that develops from the series of spectrographic
oil analyses over time serves as a reference point for determining the engine’s oil trend
analysis as it relates to normal engine wear and deviation thereof.
This analysis helps identify internal engine problems. Deviations from the normal wear
pattern of analysis warrant further investigation and may help detect problems.
However, spectrographic oil analysis, even if done properly, may not provide any
indication of fatigue type failure.
There are two methods of performing spectrographic oil analysis:
•
Atomic absorption (identifies particles smaller than five microns)
•
Atomic emission (identifies particles smaller than ten microns)
