KITPLANES Firewall Forward: Oil Filter Cutting and Analysis 

We all use oil, so this is a really important video. I'm always impressed by how Paul can explain these complex tasks.

These videos are very informative! I just wish there was a way more people could see the value in the subject matter being presented. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos!

Wow this was a good video. Should have more "likes", but it's only been up for about a week. Download the Lycoming service bulletin mentioned in the video. 16 pages long with detailed explanations on identifying the various metals that could be found , their potential source, and corrective actions to take. They even have various methods of identifying the metal using chemicals commercially available. I just searched for "lycoming service bulletin 480F" and it came up with a Lycoming page linking to the PDF download.

I cut the can open with a really sharp wood chisel. I get no contam in the filter pleats. On the pleats, after I inspect them I throw the pleats in a container of Varsol and agitate for a while. Then I throw in a neodium magnet and swirl that through the varsol by shaking the container for several minutes to collect all the ferrous metal. I usually just get a little bit of ferrous "mud" superfine particles stuck to the magnet. Then I'll strain the varsol through a piece of dark cloth from an old shirt to look for bright non-ferrous bits.

This is great - thanks!

Is that the 18mm or 25mm Dewalt snap-blade knife - and do you prefer it for this job over other knives?

These oil filter cutter tools are junk. The cutting keeps falling off as there is no retainer. Waste of $130