IMS guardian sensor

[spongebob]

Anyone that have an idea where a replacement oil plug for the IMS guardian can be found
Bought the guardian kit it 10 years ago but cables are now broken off and camt be repaired any longer

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by spongebob

Anyone that have an idea where a replacement oil plug for the IMS guardian can be found
Bought the guardian kit it 10 years ago but cables are now broken off and camt be repaired any longer

Pretty much a dead item unless someone has one lying around.

[elgyqc]

I hope someone asks what an IMS guardian is... I don't want to ask because it might be a dumb question.

[jbar1]

If I remember correctly, it was a system that monitored the oil for metallic particles which would indicate possible IMS bearing wear. I don't know how it worked, but was an early IMS bearing failure detection system that was developed by Jake Raby. Hence the name "Guardian".

[JFP in PA]

It actually worked very well; it was based upon the electronic ferrous metal detection system commonly used on a variety of combat aircraft. A small sensor replaced the oil drain plug and had wires that ran up to an alarm module inside the car; when the ferrous metal content of the oil got too high, it set off a warning. . Its biggest shortcoming was the wires as the sensor was exposed to a very vulnerable spot and the wiring took a beating.

[997_986]

Interesting.I use a magnetic drain plug and do an oil analysis (with oilchange) every 5,000 mls instead and intensivly inspect filter and magnet. Are there any credible reports of the monitoring preventing damage?

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

It actually worked very well; it was based upon the electronic ferrous metal detection system commonly used on a variety of combat aircraft. A small sensor replaced the oil drain plug and had wires that ran up to an alarm module inside the car; when the ferrous metal content of the oil got too high, it set off a warning. . Its biggest shortcoming was the wires as the sensor was exposed to a very vulnerable spot and the wiring took a beating.

Interesting, when I worked at the Pratt and Whitney engine plant near Montreal we installed chip detectors as described by JFP during engine testing. Any metal in the oil completed the circuit between the contacts and caused an alarm.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by 997_986

Interesting.I use a magnetic drain plug and do an oil analysis (with oilchange) every 5,000 mls instead and intensivly inspect filter and magnet. Are there any credible reports of the monitoring preventing damage?

Several...

[clickman]

Funny. I just threw mine in the trash and put in an LN magnetic. My first sensor started leaking through the stuff they used to fill the hole in the plug where the wires ran from the sensor. Raby told me it was because the wires were whipping around too much and, to his credit, sent me a replacement under warranty. So I strapped down the wires (more), but in the end it leaked too.

My completely questionable opinion was that the filler material couldn't handle the temperatures, cracked and started to leak. Oh well, now I'll have to find a new way to tell me my engine is toast...

[clickman]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

Interesting, when I worked at the Pratt and Whitney engine plant near Montreal we installed chip detectors as described by JFP during engine testing. Any metal in the oil completed the circuit between the contacts and caused an alarm.

Raby apparently got the idea from when he worked on helicopters for the US military.