Ultrasonic cleaning of oil filters
Thread Starter
Ultrasonic cleaning of oil filters
Just came over a technicality question:
Pratt&Whitney Canada states in its Maintenance Manual for PT6T engines (installed on Bell 412/212 and some Sikorsky) helicopters, that oil filters and P3 line air filters shall be cleaned by ELECTROSONIC cleaner every 100 hours.
I got an explanation that ULTRASONIC cleaners shall not be used for this cleaning, as theere is a possibility to cause damage to oil filter screens and such cleaning is reserved for overhaul facilities, where filters are appropriatelly inspected/tested after ultrasonic cleaning (required on 900 hours/2 yera intervals)
We have an ultrasonic cleaner available (operating on 47KHz freq with HF output power of 140 Watts.) and the question is is it OK to use it for regular 100h insp. cleaning of filters or do we need to purcase a dedicated electrosonic cleaner? (that, allegedly, works with lower frequencies/energy output)
What are you using? Any suggestion on this topic?
Thanks,
hoistop
Pratt&Whitney Canada states in its Maintenance Manual for PT6T engines (installed on Bell 412/212 and some Sikorsky) helicopters, that oil filters and P3 line air filters shall be cleaned by ELECTROSONIC cleaner every 100 hours.
I got an explanation that ULTRASONIC cleaners shall not be used for this cleaning, as theere is a possibility to cause damage to oil filter screens and such cleaning is reserved for overhaul facilities, where filters are appropriatelly inspected/tested after ultrasonic cleaning (required on 900 hours/2 yera intervals)
We have an ultrasonic cleaner available (operating on 47KHz freq with HF output power of 140 Watts.) and the question is is it OK to use it for regular 100h insp. cleaning of filters or do we need to purcase a dedicated electrosonic cleaner? (that, allegedly, works with lower frequencies/energy output)
What are you using? Any suggestion on this topic?
Thanks,
hoistop
Last edited by hoistop; 11th Apr 2013 at 10:34.
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Ask pw. They have local reps who "should" be able to help.
Have worked on engines that have similar statements in the AMM/EMM. All I've ever seen done is new filters fitted. Filters havent worked out to expensive (relatively). The only time I've used an ultrasonic cleaner was when we had no alternative as we had run out of new filters.
Someone else might know better
Have worked on engines that have similar statements in the AMM/EMM. All I've ever seen done is new filters fitted. Filters havent worked out to expensive (relatively). The only time I've used an ultrasonic cleaner was when we had no alternative as we had run out of new filters.
Someone else might know better
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Buy an electrosonic they aren't expensive and only use the solvents PWC list. If you use ultrasonic you will
1. Risk damaging the filter
2. Void any warranty
3. Be in breach of the mm requirements, what will you quote as an I.A.W ?
1. Risk damaging the filter
2. Void any warranty
3. Be in breach of the mm requirements, what will you quote as an I.A.W ?
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Some light reading ref this. For P3 filter refer to MM 73-10-07 pages 205 and 206. For oil filters 79-20-02 p201. I thought the 900 hrs was life of P3 filters but have no refs for this as I am on home break at the moment.
Thread Starter
Thanks, piggybank,
I am aware of MM requirements, I am just fishing for info, how exact to P&WC requirements is this procedure really done in the field-equipmentwise.
Yes, P3 filters are 900 hours throwaway, oil filters 2 years or 900 hours. "overhaul" of filters is not realistic, as it coud cost more than throwing them away.
Are you saying that you strictly use Magkleen 4 or Aqueous Cleaner when cleaning filters?
Thanks,
hoistop
I am aware of MM requirements, I am just fishing for info, how exact to P&WC requirements is this procedure really done in the field-equipmentwise.
Yes, P3 filters are 900 hours throwaway, oil filters 2 years or 900 hours. "overhaul" of filters is not realistic, as it coud cost more than throwing them away.
Are you saying that you strictly use Magkleen 4 or Aqueous Cleaner when cleaning filters?
Thanks,
hoistop
Last edited by hoistop; 15th Apr 2013 at 08:32.
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Follow the manufacturers recommendations. It is the cost of doing business.
Or you can explain it to the jury when the filter comes apart and clogs up some port and causes an engine oil flow blockage which.... Well I think you get the picture now.
Or you can explain it to the jury when the filter comes apart and clogs up some port and causes an engine oil flow blockage which.... Well I think you get the picture now.
