FAA Powerplant Written Practice Test

In a spectrometric oil analysis, what is considered the greatest concern?

1. A low wear metal content

2. An indicator which has risen at a faster rate than in its last analysis

3. Stable levels of oil contamination

4. A sudden drop in oil viscosity

The correct answer is: An indicator which has risen at a faster rate than in its last analysis

In the context of spectrometric oil analysis, an indicator that has risen at a faster rate than in its last analysis signifies a potential increase in wear or damage to engine components. The rate of increase in wear metal content over time can be critical because it may suggest accelerated wear conditions that could lead to significant mechanical failures if not addressed promptly. Maintenance programs often rely on these trends to preemptively identify issues before they result in catastrophic failures, so monitoring how quickly these indicators change is essential. A consistent or slow rate of increase could indicate normal wear patterns, while a sudden spike raises alarms about potential underlying problems needing immediate investigation and remediation. This makes tracking the rate of change a primary concern in oil analysis.