How do I know if my IO-520-D has the affected oil filter adaptor? It's impossible to get a good look at it, even sticking the borescope in there.

Logs books. If the adapter was installed at the factory when the engine was made it won't have the affected adapter. But if it was installed after the fact, then it may, but then it should for sure be in the log books.

Great! Thanks!

It was installed factory new, has an oil filter, and there's no STC or log entry about an oil filter adaptor. It's unlikely the then-owners, a Canadian commercial outfit that kept copious records, would've changed the filter adaptor without logging it. Sound like I should be good to go.

It might not be an "adapter".
The factory produced an oil filter housing incorporating a fitting for a spin on filter.
I think these were on the later engines like the 470U,
maybe / probably the IO520's also.
I believe 180Marty installed one of these on an earlier engine.

I just looked up the AD, here's the applicability:

"(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the reciprocating engine models identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD with an F&M Enterprises, Inc. (F&M) or Stratus Tool Technologies, LLC (Stratus) oil filter adapter installed per Supplemental Type Certificate SE8409SW, SE09356SC, or SE10348SC."

Also saw this-- wow, a far reaching AD covering no doubt thousands of airplanes that was issued because of two incidents. Two!

"(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of two accidents that were the result of power loss due to oil starvation. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent loss of engine power. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of control of the aircraft."

I believe 180Marty installed one of these on an earlier engine.

Yep, I have a 470 pump and a 520 pump on each of my Pponk's with the spin on cast into the housing. No adapter needed. I was thinking it didn't sound right to have the factory sending out pumps with an adapter that screwed into where the old style screen went???????

Is that what the adaptor is all about, replacing the screen? If so, that gives me even more confidence that it doesn't apply to me.

Is that what the adaptor is all about, replacing the screen?

Yes, so you can utilize a spin on filter. If you look at Corefile's plane, he has the filter on the firewall with hoses coming from an adapter on the pump. Some have the adapter and filter right on the oil pump where the screen would normally be. I think that is the kind with the problem. If your filter is mounted like this, you are good. You should be able to see it by looking up through the right cowl flap.

StuBob wrote:How do I know if my IO-520-D has the affected oil filter adaptor? It's impossible to get a good look at it, even sticking the borescope in there.

Its just the F&M style. Looks like this for the 520 but several variants

Mine looks exactly like Marty’s photo. Thanks again.

hotrod180 wrote:It might not be an "adapter".


I just looked up the AD, here's the applicability:

"(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the reciprocating engine models identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD with an F&M Enterprises, Inc. (F&M) or Stratus Tool Technologies, LLC (Stratus) oil filter adapter installed per Supplemental Type Certificate SE8409SW, SE09356SC, or SE10348SC."

Also saw this-- wow, a far reaching AD covering no doubt thousands of airplanes that was issued because of two incidents. Two!

"(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of two accidents that were the result of power loss due to oil starvation. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent loss of engine power. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of control of the aircraft."

I have been following this closely as our O-300 equipped 172 has the F&M filter adapter installed by a previous owner/shop. Long story short, every oil change it would come loose when removing the filter, with a fiber gasket or after complying with the SB two crush gaskets. It wasn't until I cleaned the threads I was able to get it torqued up where it didn't want to spin. Ours also had no safety wire provisions, the SB provides direction on adding those.

I believe there were at least 11 accident cases 2 of which were fatal. This article gives a bit more background
https://www.flyingmag.com/ntsb-stratus- ... mendation/

hotrod180 wrote:It might not be an "adapter".
The factory produced an oil filter housing incorporating a fitting for a spin on filter.
I think these were on the later engines like the 470U,
maybe / probably the IO520's also.
I believe 180Marty installed one of these on an earlier engine.

I just looked up the AD, here's the applicability:

"(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the reciprocating engine models identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD with an F&M Enterprises, Inc. (F&M) or Stratus Tool Technologies, LLC (Stratus) oil filter adapter installed per Supplemental Type Certificate SE8409SW, SE09356SC, or SE10348SC."

Also saw this-- wow, a far reaching AD covering no doubt thousands of airplanes that was issued because of two incidents. Two!

"(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of two accidents that were the result of power loss due to oil starvation. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent loss of engine power. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of control of the aircraft."

This is a huge problem on the C-145/O-300 engines. If the mechanic that works on the airplane understands the way these adapters work, then there will no problem, regardless of which gasket is there. If they don't understand it, two crush gaskets won't be a long term fix either, and the safety wire does not really solve anything either unless done perfectly. I have one of these on both 170's I work on and one on my wife's 172. None of them have ever had an issue, but they're also always preflight item for security.

WorkingWarbirds wrote:

hotrod180 wrote:It might not be an "adapter".
The factory produced an oil filter housing incorporating a fitting for a spin on filter.
I think these were on the later engines like the 470U,
maybe / probably the IO520's also.
I believe 180Marty installed one of these on an earlier engine.

I just looked up the AD, here's the applicability:

"(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the reciprocating engine models identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD with an F&M Enterprises, Inc. (F&M) or Stratus Tool Technologies, LLC (Stratus) oil filter adapter installed per Supplemental Type Certificate SE8409SW, SE09356SC, or SE10348SC."

Also saw this-- wow, a far reaching AD covering no doubt thousands of airplanes that was issued because of two incidents. Two!

"(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of two accidents that were the result of power loss due to oil starvation. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent loss of engine power. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of control of the aircraft."

This is a huge problem on the C-145/O-300 engines. If the mechanic that works on the airplane understands the way these adapters work, then there will no problem, regardless of which gasket is there. If they don't understand it, two crush gaskets won't be a long term fix either, and the safety wire does not really solve anything either unless done perfectly. I have one of these on both 170's I work on and one on my wife's 172. None of them have ever had an issue, but they're also always preflight item for security.

^^ this. If care is taken to ensure that the filter adapter housing doesn't move when changing the filter then everything will be fine. But if they are allowed to rotate then it will eventually start leaking with crush gaskets as well. Safety wire does not keep the assembly from rotating, the person changing the filter has to be the one to ensure it does not.