Van's Air Force

The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!

Oil filter recommendations for lycoming horizontal mounting

Flyyak

Well Known Member
Friend
Re-reading filter test results and a recent post about a collapsed filter media with the use of a filter and the internal bypass valve in a lycoming, now has me totally confused. For those of us that require a shorter filter because of limited space between horizontal mount and the firewall, a Wix 51515 will not fit. I believe the 51068 was recommended but it has an internal bypass valve and may not be compatible for use with a lycoming with an internal bypass valve. Is there another Wix filter compatible for horizontal mounting without an internal bypass valve?
I know a champion or tempest 48110-2 is recommended and I have used those until the last oil change when I installed a Wix 51068.
 
Re-reading filter test results and a recent post about a collapsed filter media with the use of a filter and the internal bypass valve in a lycoming, now has me totally confused. For those of us that require a shorter filter because of limited space between horizontal mount and the firewall, a Wix 51515 will not fit. I believe the 51068 was recommended but it has an internal bypass valve and may not be compatible for use with a lycoming with an internal bypass valve. Is there another Wix filter compatible for horizontal mounting without an internal bypass valve?
I know a champion or tempest 48110-2 is recommended and I have used those until the last oil change when I installed a Wix 51068.
What’s wrong with the Champion or Tempest 48110-2 ? I know for a while they were difficult to source but not now.
 
Re-reading filter test results and a recent post about a collapsed filter media with the use of a filter and the internal bypass valve in a lycoming, now has me totally confused. For those of us that require a shorter filter because of limited space between horizontal mount and the firewall, a Wix 51515 will not fit. I believe the 51068 was recommended but it has an internal bypass valve and may not be compatible for use with a lycoming with an internal bypass valve. Is there another Wix filter compatible for horizontal mounting without an internal bypass valve?
I know a champion or tempest 48110-2 is recommended and I have used those until the last oil change when I installed a Wix 51068.
If you need space you could use the K&N HP1002 filter as recommended by Casper Labs. I have been using these for about 15 years in 3 different engines with no issues. Had 450 hrs in an O-320, 800 hrs in an O-360 and 125 hrs so far in an IO-360 PV. Never had an issue with a collapsed media or leaking filter. I have always used Phillips oil and do changes around the 50 hr mark, or sooner if I am close and need to add oil. FWIW.
 
Re-reading filter test results and a recent post about a collapsed filter media with the use of a filter and the internal bypass valve in a lycoming, now has me totally confused.

The filter with the collapsed media was a transmission filter. We don't know if the media is the same as the oil filters.

For those of us that require a shorter filter because of limited space between horizontal mount and the firewall, a Wix 51515 will not fit. I believe the 51068 was recommended but it has an internal bypass valve and may not be compatible for use with a lycoming with an internal bypass valve.

You can use 51068 on your horizontal Lycoming adapter. Just realize the bypass valve in the filter will open before the bypass valve in the adapter.
 
In Canada Champion is $56.75 +13% tax. Tempest is $58.75 + tax. The K&N is $22 + tax and offers a little more space due to the smaller size. I didn't read that cost was the issue but space was a consideration. I used the K&N in my 7 with the straight Lycoming adapter due to the tight space to the firewall. Made filter changes a little easier.

Years ago when I purchased a 90* adapter from Casper Labs for my RV4 Bill recommended the K&N. He claimed that it was a certified aviation filter before K&N purchased the company. He said K&N let the certification lapse but maintained the same specs including the welded nut and the high pressure can etc.
 
Average pilot flies 100 hrs. a year, 2*36 annual = $ 72 a year to ensure an important lubricant for one's single engine stays filtered and do not need to worry about a collapse and then possible total oil loss. Annual expenses at a minimum are $ 1,000/yr, insurance, $ 1,000 minimum a year tie down and 100 hrs. @ 8 gals/hr * 6.00/gal another almost $ 5,000 year in gas and on and on. Spending 72 bucks a year least of my concerns for a vital component. 🥱
 
Last edited:
What’s wrong with the Champion or Tempest 48110-2 ? I know for a while they were difficult to source but not now.
Nothing wrong with the champion or the tempest. I have used both since my I0360 A1A was installed. After the extensive research conducted by the filter testing, it appeared that the Wix filter 51515 had better test results than either. It is not the cost but I was trying to select the best available for my engine. If that will be either a champion or tempest, then the extra $25 per filter is not the an issue. Each will have a choice.

But next question, how much earlier would the Wix open and does that offset the practical difference between filtration by the Wix or tempest/champion. Just trying to use the best application for a I0360 A1A
 
Use the wix 51068. Not only is it much cheaper, it's available locally in auto parts stores. The Wix Brand is trusted for use in machines costing much more than our delightful aircraft. The bypass valve is a non issue
 
If you need space you could use the K&N HP1002 filter as recommended by Casper Labs. I have been using these for about 15 years in 3 different engines with no issues. Had 450 hrs in an O-320, 800 hrs in an O-360 and 125 hrs so far in an IO-360 PV. Never had an issue with a collapsed media or leaking filter. I have always used Phillips oil and do changes around the 50 hr mark, or sooner if I am close and need to add oil. FWIW.
Just FYI, having spoken to Bill/Casper Labs at the beginning of the year he said he could no longer recommend the use of the HP1002 filter since the move in production from the USA to Mexico.
 
I'm a little surprised we don't talk much about the Amsoil oil filters. 99% filtering efficiency at 20 microns In accordance with industry-standard ISO SO 4548-12. Not available at your local AutoZone or NAPA, but they are pretty good filters.
 
Use the wix 51068. Not only is it much cheaper, it's available locally in auto parts stores. The Wix Brand is trusted for use in machines costing much more than our delightful aircraft. The bypass valve is a non issue
this is what i use on the 6, as the 51515 doesn't fit. performed well in the tests Dan had done.
 
I used the 1068 ENGINE OIL FILTER horizontally mounted on my 540 and the 360’s in my fleet for many years and many collective hours without issues. As said, the “collapsed” unit was an experiment with a filter specified for TRANSMISSION FLUID, not engine oil.
 
I'm a little surprised we don't talk much about the Amsoil oil filters. 99% filtering efficiency at 20 microns In accordance with industry-standard ISO SO 4548-12.

Not surprisingly, every marketing department tends to cherry pick from available data. The ISO4548-12 report follows a standard format showing max efficiency, min efficiency, and average. We don't know which value Amsoil might be using...which is not to say there is anything improper. I suspect everyone advertises the Max value.

Recall depth media filters are more efficient when new, and become less efficient as they load with material. Example, a snip from the Wix 51515 report. Note a smaller filter means less media area, so the efficiency loss will happen sooner, with less trash captured before bypassing. No, I don't think it's a big deal. Just a review of the facts.

ScreenHunter_3281 May. 20 07.53.jpg
 
Back
Top