Low oil temp (150f) and water dripping from vent tube

[Marv]

Re: Low oil temp (150f) and water dripping from vent tube

I also found that the Wag Aero covers did not fit.

I sent them back.

Soon after I noticed that the welding supply had a huge box of winter weather welding helmit liners for less than $10 each.

I got two and put one over the left side of the kidney tank and one over the right side.

They overlap in the middle and the chin straps held them on ok but I added some wraps of safety wire to be sure though.

I recall that the welding gear is fire resitant or fire proof.

Oh yeah had to make a cut for the filler neck.

Dave

Drude are you going to be selling these as a universal oil tank kit? LOL

[Guest]

Re: Low oil temp (150f) and water dripping from vent tube

Maybe offer a blue and red versions for Miller and Lincoln fans?

Possibly purple for Thermal Arc and Yellow for ESAB folks?

Yes I think we we have a product line!

Dave

[mike lutz]

Re: Low oil temp (150f) and water dripping from vent tube

Don't forget the Hobart fans-lol

[Guest]

Re: Low oil temp (150f) and water dripping from vent tube

lol

yes I forgot the gray!

[M Towsley]

Re: Low oil temp (150f) and water dripping from vent tube

Well, to resurrect this thread I thought I would do an update regarding the oil tank cover kit from Wag-Aero.

I was informed by Wag-Aero the cover still fits loose on the 4 qt tanks. I informed Wag-Aero that nine years ago I informed them of this problem whereby she told me not only are they aware of the problem but had just received a returned cover for the loose fit. They do not make them in-house. How difficult is it for them to talk to the company that does and get it corrected? With all the A-65's out there you would think they would address this. Of course, if folks buy it and install it and decide to just leave it on loose it defeats the purpose of keeping the tank warm as well as letting Wag-Aero know this in not acceptable. This is why I have a problem with Wag-Aero sometimes, they waste their time and my time but refuse to do anything about it. How amazingly stupid when you are the only company out there marketing these covers.

[Bigdog]

Re: Low oil temp (150f) and water dripping from vent tube

...How amazingly stupid when you are the only company out there marketing these covers.

I think "only company" speaks volumes about their motivation to change. Competition works wonders.

[M Towsley]

Re: Low oil temp (150f) and water dripping from vent tube

You definitely hit that nail, Greg.

I think I am going to go the route of the Dave Rude STC'd/PMA'd welding helmet liner. Though no one carries the fire retardant version locally I found some on Ebay for a relative steal. Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/280340107433...84.m1438.l2649

These should be also appropriate for L-2's as they look to be olive drab.

Considering Wag-Aero's isn't 'legal' either I figured I would try the helmet version instead and for a lot less money.

[Scott]

Re: Low oil temp (150f) and water dripping from vent tube

I flew my BC12d A65 a lot in winter in the Montreal and north region in temps down to -25C. I used to tape over the center cowl intake as a matter of course but don't remember ever seeing any oil temp indicated, even after taxiing around and around on skis to make my own runway. The the most important element is the type of oil and even then (mid 80's) we used Shell 15w50. I recently evaluated that engine, which has been in a box for 25 years (I can't claim to have been particularly diligent in the way I boxed it), and other than some very minor staining in the two cylinders where the valves were open, the motor is corrosion free.

Not arguing against all the constructive comments so far, just offering an additional perspective.

Water from an engine breather is actually a good thing, it indicates that the engine is in fact getting warm enough to turn water into vapour, and the crankcase ventilation is successfully dumping the water overboard. I would be inclined to pay attention to the colour of the oil... black through amber good, shades of gray not so good. Grey of course indicates higher moisture content in the oil. One of the added benefits of synthetic oils is they are less susceptible to absorbing moisture from the air yet still handle it well once it is present.

Remember all the oil will eventually circulates past some very hot parts of the engine... cylinder heads, exhaust valves, under piston heads. This will be where the oil is hottest and thinnest and where it will give up absorbed moisture.

If you're concerned about moisture in the engine, I would spend some time considering how it's getting in in the first place.. Water vapour is a byproduct of combustion so ring and exhaust blow-by are sources of moisture in the crank case (also the source of positive crank case ventilation so bit of a double edge sword). One thing for certain, the higher the relative humidity of the ambient air, the more moisture you'll have in the crank case. Fly through a lot of rain and expect to see water dripping from the breather for a few flights.

I don't have one but I think one of those positive case ventilation gizmos (while parked), the kind that circulates dehumidified air through the breather/oil cap (while parked) would be a good idea if you're in a high ambient humidity environment. I do have a dehumidifier in the hangar where my airplane is parked which keeps the humidity generally below 45%. Got to be a good thing.

[Gerald McKibben]

Re: Low oil temp (150f) and water dripping from vent tube

[QUOTE=M Towsley;80388]You definitely hit that nail, Greg.


This site lists a fire retardant liner for $7.99: https://weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/remember.pl
I assume from the comments that it would be advisable to have the oil temp higher? Mine runs cool also.

[Guest]

Re: Low oil temp (150f) and water dripping from vent tube

According to my A65 manual oil temp must be between 90 and 220 degrees F.

Dave