I am a new owner, and will need to change my oil within 5 hrs. Can anyone tell me the steps to change the oil in a 1980 Sundowner with an oil screen? How does one clean the screen? If you could send me specific steps from removing the cowling on up, I would appreciate it.
Also, what is legal as owner-performed maintenance? What do I have to do to demonstrate proficiency on owner maintenance items? Do I have to record the things I do? Does someone have to supervise me, and sign me off on things? If so, what has to be in the log entry? What about having the Maintenance Manual available? Is it required?
Bob Steward, A&P-IA:
The list of items that the FAA allows an owner-pilot to do are contained in FAR 43 Appendix A subparagraph (c). Just as with all other maintenance tasks, the person performing the task must have performed the task satisfactorily under supervision before doing it solo. Doesn’t matter if you have an A&P, IA, DER, and are an FAA Inspector, you must first demonstrate your competency in a particular task before you do it unsupervised.
My recommendation is that everyone have their local mechanic supervise them in doing an oil change, a tire replacement, basic spark plug maintenance, etc. and have him SIGN YOU OFF in a log book. Doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just a spiral bound pocket sized note pad is fine. If you can’t prove you have been signed off on a task and the inspector
thinks you are doing it wrong, you are in for a paperwork hassle.
Also, it is required that you have the Maintenance Manual handy. The FARs require us to use the manufacturer’s CURRENT maintenance instructions when performing any work.
Finally, one needs to make the proper log entry for each task. A log entry is defined as requiring 4 elements:
1. The date the work was completed.
2. The Total Time in Service of the component serviced.
3. A brief description of the work performed.
4. The Name, Certificate Number and type, and Signature of the person PERFORMING the work.
1) Today’s date if the work is completed today.
2) Total Time in Service is NOT necessarily the Tach or Hobbs time. Tachs get changed, engines are overhauled, replaced, etc. This may require some research as the fleet ages; the details of the exact time may be buried in the logs.
3) Wording of the “brief” description should be compete enough to eliminate doubt as to what you did and did NOT do. “Changed oil” is a poor description of the process you (hopefully) performed. “Drained oil, removed pressure screen, inspected, cleaned and reinstalled with a new gasket and torqued mounting bolts to 100 in/lb, refilled engine with 7 quarts of Aeroshell 15W50, operationally checked and found no leaks” is a complete log entry. This briefly describes the work, and leaves no doubt that you used the correct parts, tools and oil.
4) This shows the FAA inspector that wanders up and ramp-checks you that you are in fact legal to be doing the work you are doing. They are known to do surveillance and drop by to “chat” with those working on aircraft.
This is one reason for attending the BAC/Musketeer Fly-ins that involve maintenance demonstrations, since all those that attend and participate will get their own sign-offs for the work demonstrated and participated in.
So in answer to the original post, if you want to know how to change the oil, you need to follow up with your local folks and get properly checked out on the procedure. The manual(s) and some tools (including an accurate torque wrench) are required to follow the manufacturer’s current maintenance instructions.