Modern Electronic Chip detector sensors scanning passing oil are very sensitive and sets off alerts long before the old style magnetic chips sensors.
Opening of turbine oil cans with un-approved tools like screwdrivers and other metal tools creates oil can material cast off and metal swarf. Read about “The shocking inside of a turbine oil can opening”.
When contaminated oil is added to the engine again and again at oil top up the oil system keeps a steady source of metal particle contamination. These particles trigger false chip warnings. False warnings that will cost flight delays and money to chase the origin of. Many false warnings will make you less alert. A real wear chip warning can be ignored since it is “usually nothing”. Read more about Why is it, that chip light warnings are ignored?
This also means using old style chip detectors much of the metal contamination will go undetected.
Since no engine wear life is the same, many oil samples have baselines that are created from more samples. You then look for increased amount of metal in the next samples. The type of metal can pinpoint which engine parts are affected.
If you constantly add metal contamination at oil top up, you will keep a high baseline and the contamination will go unnoticed as being “normal” for the engine. Exactly as it goes unnoticed that the inappropriately opening of the can causes metal to cast off inside the oil can.
Contamination of the oil system also results in roll over of hard metal particles that will create damage to bearings and gears. This will reduce the engine life significantly. Read more about hard particle roll-over here.
To avoid the unnecessary introduction of metal to the turbine oil can at opening it is crucial to use proper oil can openers. TheCanKey is the only certified FOD free oil can opener on the marked. It is tested and certified by Saybolt Laboratories not to leave any debris whatsoever in the oil can during the opening process.
Use TheCanKey turbine oil can opener to ensure not to introduce FOD to your oil system when servicing or filling oil. It is an easy, proper and effective way to prevent FOD. Using TheCanKey FOD free oil servicing tools will ultimately save costs and improve overall safety and performance of the turbine engine.
It is the responsibility of maintenance managers to provide training and proper tooling to their maintenance crew to prevent FOD contamination. Read more about Management’s critical role in FOD prevention
Read more about useful tips and steps to prevent of FOD in turbine oil systems
Read more about TheCanKey FOD free oil service tools here: www.TheCanKey.com
