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Why did my Cessna nose strut seal fail?

Strut seal leaks and flat struts can be caused by roll or twist of the main O-ring seal. It is very frustrating to carefully check all the parts and surfaces and put a new seal kit in the strut only to find it flat again after a relatively short time. We have seen this happen when a film of MIL-5606 hydraulic fluid dries out on the exposed chrome strut shaft. MIL-5606 by nature has a tendency to get sticky as it is exposed to air and dirt and then dry.

Very slight dried oil films are sometimes hard to detect and they can get past the plastic wiper seal. When this happens the sticky strut has a tendency to grab the O-ring and roll or twist it when the strut slides in or out causing the seal to distort. A very small O-ring twist or distortion will cause a leak. This phenomena is aggravated by the low pressure that the Cessna strut is designed for. Wipe the chrome strut down with Stoddard solvent (mineral spirits) periodically to soften and remove any dried oil film, dirt, dust and bugs.

Do Tempest oil filters use a magnet?

Yes, all Tempest aviation oil filters use a magnet. This give us an extra layer of defense to help filter out smaller micron particles that may get past the filtration media.

Does using your shorter oil filter design have a negative effect on filtering my engine’s oil?

The short answer is no. While we recommend using our taller oil filters when you have the space inside your cowling, using our shorter filters will still provide more than enough filtration coverage when replacing them at the recommended intervals of 25 to 50 hours.

How often should I replace my Tempest oil filter?

Always refer to the engine manufacturer’s recommendation. If no recommendation is made then we suggest you replace Tempest oil filters every 25 to 50 hours.

Should I use a short or tall Tempest oil filter for my engine?

Both short and tall filters are approved for most engine applications. Determining which height filter to use all depends on the space you have inside the engine cowling. We suggest going with the taller of the approved oil filters if you have the space.

Note: Tempest’s replacement recommendation is the same for both short and tall filters.

What is the Spin EZ™ oil filter by Tempest?

Tempest created the Spin EZ oil filter to make installation and removal easier and more efficient. A patented solid seal lubricant is applied to our oil filter gasket during manufacturing and requires no oil or DC4 compound prior to installation; making the removal process of a stuck filter a thing of the past.

What is the difference between a non-dash, a dash one and a dash two aviation oil filter?

Height. Over the years aviation oil filters have gotten shorter to help with installation in tight spaces. The dash two filter by Tempest is the shortest of the certified aviation oil filters on the market.

What is your torque spec for tightening your oil filters?

We recommend 16-18 ft lbs. of torque or tighten by hand plus a quarter turn.

What micron rating is your oil filter?

Tempest oil filters use media with a 40-micron rating.

Can I fly in the rain with PROP GUARD installed?

Rain will reduce the life of PROP GUARD as the constant impact of the water droplets will eventually fatigue the material, causing it to become more brittle with progressively less ability to absorb energy. This constant water hammering will eventually cause it to shred, starting at the prop tip area. This is a harmless situation that causes no concern in flight, but it will require repairing the PROP GUARD installation. PROP GUARD will tolerate a considerable amount of light rain, but fails fairly quickly in heavy rain. When PROP GUARD is failed by rain, it has already sacrificed itself to prevent considerable propeller erosion.

Can I install PROP GUARD on a Composite prop if it is not listed on the approved model list?

Although PROP GUARD has been successfully used by some customers on non-certified aircraft with composite propellers, it is not FAA approved yet for applications not listed on the FAA Approved Model List.

Can I use spray paint to paint my prop?

High quality spray can paint has worked well when the prop has been cleaned and the metal primed effectively.

Can PROP GUARD be installed on a seaplane application to stop water erosion?

PROP GUARD will stop water erosion of the propeller and has been used on seaplane applications. However, it has very limited life on high speed propellers that are subject to a lot of water spray. Water spray will reduce the life of PROP GUARD as the constant impact of the water droplets will eventually fatigue the material causing it to become more brittle with progressively less ability to absorb energy. This constant water hammering will eventually cause it to shred, starting at the prop tip area. This is a harmless situation that causes no concern in flight, but it will require repairing the PROP GUARD installation. Some seaplane operators use PROP GUARD knowing that they will have to frequently replace PROP GUARD at the prop tip area. By sacrificing itself, the PROP GUARD has stopped considerable prop erosion. PROP GUARD will hold up relatively well on lower horsepower applications where the propeller has good water clearance.

Can PROP GUARD be installed on a wooden prop?

PROP GUARD is not certified for use on certificated wooden propellers. It can sometimes be used on non-certified aircraft applications. Some varnish used on wooden propellers is not compatible with the PROP GUARD adhesive and the bond will fail. PROP GUARD has been successfully used with many varnishes. We recommend testing by placing a small sample of PROP GUARD on a surface with the same varnish before installing on a propeller.

Can PROP GUARD be installed on polished propellers?

Yes, it will bond well if care is taken to remove all traces of wax or silicone with a commercial wax and silicone remover or Naphtha using several clean paper towels.

Do I have to fill out a form 337?

No, PROP GUARD is an FAA-PMA/STC product, but the STC specifically states that a form 337 is not required. It does require an A&P mechanic endorsement for return to service.

How do I prepare my bare metal areas on my propeller for new paint?

Follow the guidance of the aircraft or propeller manufacture. When no guidance is available, conversion coating such as Alodine followed by a light coat of corrosion preventing primer followed by the finish coat has proven effective. Before you start, be sure the metal is clean and use a silicone removing compound such as Naphtha or a commercial wax and silicone remover with multiple clean paper towels to assure all traces of silicones have been removed. Most solvents will not remove silicone compounds.

How do I remove PROP GUARD?

Use heat gun or hair dryer and peel it off. Use isopropyl alcohol to clean excess glue off the blade.

How does PROP GUARD work to stop rock and abrasion damage?

The special heat treated elastomer in PROP GUARD absorbs the impact energy from the particle strike. In other words, PROP GUARD gives a little and spreads the energy when something hits it.

How long does it take to put on PROP GUARD?

The first installation takes longer, with reading the instructions and carefully going through each step. You always want to properly dress the propeller before you install PROP GUARD as this is the last time you will need to dress or paint the prop until PROP GUARD is replaced. First time installation on a properly dressed and painted prop takes close to an hour, and about fifteen minutes once you have done several.