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Mike Busch's thoughts on oil separators
Just got this article about oil separators in a Mike Busch newsletter I regularly receive. Seems he doesn't like them. Coincidentally, I happen to have an un-installed anti-splat kit ready to get put on. Hmm... Anyone know if the Anti-Splat ones mitigate any of the problems he mentions?
http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=...7&e=1db3de8610 |
Seems what he doesn't like is the idea of putting the "effluent" back into the engine. If I understand the Anti Splat device correctly the effluent gets burned through the exhaust. The Andair device comes with a little container that can be installed where it is accessible without decowling, and the "effluent" goes there. This is what I have installed on my Rocket - not yet flying (awaiting final inspection).
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I'm in the process of writing an article regarding air / oil separators for publication in a future issue of KitPlanes.
My research indicates that there are as many opinions on using an air oil separator as there are people. What I'm struggling with is finding true facts on if they are a good or bad thing. Pouring a bunch of stuff on the ground doesn't neccissarly mean anything and based on the design of the separator, that water (?) could be burned off, captured, or returned to the engine. One person I interviewed mentioned that there are a number of certified airplanes with separators installed at the factor and there are STC's to retrofit them. If they were so bad, why would this be allowed? - Interesting point. |
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I put an air/oil separator on the Lycosaur O-540 in our last airplane. We installed it when we rebuilt the engine, because I liked the idea of having a clean belly.
The old graybeards on the field scoffed at me for doing so. One of them laughed and said "Son, your aircooled engine has 15 different potential sources of oil on the belly. You just spent a lot of money to cure one of them." At the time I thought "What a rube!". However, in retrospect I have to admit that he was right. As the engine aged (we flew it for 12 years and 1400 hours) it sprouted a drip here, and a seep there, and -- like an old Harley, it began to mark its territory. The expensive air/oil separator, once effective at keeping the belly clean, ultimately became something of a joke. I'm not planning to put one on our -8A. |
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How much would the other 14 locations leak if the crankcase was under vacuum as happens with the vent line attached to the exhaust ??? |
I installed an AS oil sep on my 7 20hrs ago and the oil on the belly is no longer a problem. About the stuff that is returned to the engine---A friend installed a reservoir to catch the return oil out of the separator on his lycoming and it amounted to several table spoon fulls between oil changes and did not look contaminated (at least not like the video showed). I'm sure it was to an extent but looked harmless to a mechanic of 50 years. I am happier with the separator than not and will leave it on. Just sharing an experience. :-) Larry
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We have an Andair separator with the extra gob catcher.
It was set too low initially - I just used someone elses placement. We got lots of oily belly when doing hammerheads and slow rolls. After moving it higher, I can now do vne to vertical and stay until I run out of airspeed - not a drop. The catcher gets cleaned every oil change and the milky stuff is thrown away. Unless you put a half Raven or full system in, I really think that these do work well and certainly the Andair is beautifully crafted. |
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Thanks |
After trying to make several different separators work properly, I just ended up running my breather tube into the exhaust pipe at 90 degrees and the excess burns off. I thought it was going to be an issue with extra suction pulling oil out of the crankcase, but I typically run about 25 hours before having to add another quart of oil, so I'm happy with this setup. No oil on belly.
Greg |
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