How can I get some oil temperature?

[Tom G]

I was wondering if anyone has some ideas on this topic. In the wintertime the oil temperature in my aircraft barely comes off the peg. I flew it last Saturday and after almost 2 hours the oil came up to maybe 100 degrees. Pressure is fine as you might imagine at 40PSI. I could easily touch the oil. It felt warm. I'm concerned because the temperature is not getting where it should be and any condensation is not burning off. I had some corrosion on the dipstick and i had it cleaned up but it seems to be starting again. I feel as though I am doing more harm to the engine by running it this way than letting it sit.

I've tried blocking off the center intake under the prop but it doesn't do much if anything. I always felt the TCraft was tightly cowled so cant figure this out. What do the Cub people do!?

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks very much.

[barnstmr]

Re: How can I get some oil temperature?

There was a recent thread on this topic. Focus was on using a blanket wrap around the oil tank. Do a search and you should be able to find it.

[M Towsley]

Re: How can I get some oil temperature?

Here is the link: http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread...t=tank+blanket

Not really sure if there is a good answer. Mine was below 140 for the whole flight yesterday. I don't think a tank blanket is the complete answer. The northern states guys or Alaska guys have a good answer?

[senior]

Re: How can I get some oil temperature?

My grill is about 70% taped off in the winter.
Yesterday at -6Censless or 20* humans oil temp only came up to 160*...More tape!
It's surprising how little opening is needed to cool at 100mph in the winter!
I had heard 85hps tended to run hotter, but that has not been the case with mine.
Yes the opening under prop is completely closed off.

[ifdale]

Re: How can I get some oil temperature?

I've had both the 65hp and 85hp, these little continentals are cold-blooded. I don't remember there being an appreciable difference between the two in cold weather. It's good you've already blocked off the crankcase, that helps. I messed around with the oil sump blanket and intake wraps once but honestly I don't think it made that much of a difference..the most helpful thing I've done is to restrict the cylinder grills. You can use duct tape to experiment with. Start with a piece 2-3 inches wide and start on the inboard side, closest the prop. You want to cover the cylinder barrels, not the outside cooling fin area. You can cut a circle of duct tape from around the air intakes on each side if you like. Go up and fly and check the oil temp then experiment by closing off more area. You should be able to cover 1/3 - 1/2 least, I think I had about two-thirds of mine covered and it raised oil temps noticeably. Remember to take care of the engine in cold air, avoid shock cooling by descending slowly and hold a little more power on approach if you can to keep some warmth in the engine.

[ifdale]

Re: How can I get some oil temperature?

How do you add a picture saved to your computer? I only see the option to add with a url.

[Pearson]

Re: How can I get some oil temperature?

Instructions for attaching pictures are on the page below;

http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread.php?10238-Best-of-2013-Taylorcraft-photos&p=80133#post80133

[paddydix]

Re: How can I get some oil temperature?

I may have to try the duct tape ! Mine takes forever to reach the bottom of the temp peg before taxi.

[ifdale]

Re: How can I get some oil temperature?

Use duct tape it will help! I like the silver foil tape and it works well. Cover the grill of the inboard barrel of the cylinders, go fly and watch the temp. I now get 150-175 oil temp and I fly in cold weather.