Overhead a lead inspector at Southwest talking about oil sample timing

I was getting coffee at the break room in the hangar last Wednesday and overheard one of the senior inspectors talking to a newer guy. He said most mechanics pull oil samples right after the plane lands when the oil is still hot, but he swears by letting it sit for 15-20 minutes first. He told the guy, "If you pull it too hot, you're just getting suspended particles, not the real sediment that tells you about wear." That stuck with me because I've been pulling samples hot for years. Has anyone else changed their sampling routine based on oil temp and seen different lab results?

2 comments

2 Comments

oscarb7128d ago

Man that's exactly the kind of tip that makes you question everything you thought you knew.

adam_nguyen727d ago

Yeah @oscarb71 I was in the same boat. Used to think there was one right way to do things but this totally flipped my view.