Zero Oil Pressure

[Mark Dickens]

That's an interesting question. I don't know how I'd determine that without pulling the accessory case cover off

[RussellT]

Firstly Mark, best wishes for a good outcome on whatever you find inside your engine. I am following this thread with interest and I do have a query for Mahlon if he is still watching.

Originally Posted by mahlon_r

My advice is disconnect the oil cooler line from the center of the accessory housing. That port goes directly into the oil pump output.

Originally Posted by mahlon_r

In a normal situation, there is just a very little flow through the cooler if you have a vernatherm installed until you get the oil to temperature (150- 165F plus). If you did a couple of quick runs to power from cold status, the oil cooler wouldn't normally get any flow, until you got the oil pretty hot.

I am not understanding Mahlon's logic with regard to oil flow from the output at center of accessory housing in relation to a Vernatherm installed. Does the Vernatherm restrict oil flow returning from the cooler rather than to it? From my engine's (0320 D2J) parts diagram I see the Oil Cooler AN Fittings on the pump output and return just below the breather. The Vernatherm is shown installed as part of the Oil Filter Adapter and I don't see the relationship to the Oil Cooler curcuit? Having just installed a B&C right angle filter adapter and currently fitting the oil cooler I need to fully understand how it works. Any further info or clarification much appreciated.

Regards, Russell

[Walt]

If the hex plug in this photo (shamelessly grabbed from a google search) fell out and the oil level was below the plug the oil pump would be sucking air.
Just a thought and not sure if the Titan has the plug but I believe it does.

[mahlon_r]

Originally Posted by RussellT

Firstly Mark, best wishes for a good outcome on whatever you find inside your engine. I am following this thread with interest and I do have a query for Mahlon if he is still watching.



I am not understanding Mahlon's logic with regard to oil flow from the output at center of accessory housing in relation to a Vernatherm installed. Does the Vernatherm restrict oil flow returning from the cooler rather than to it? From my engine's (0320 D2J) parts diagram I see the Oil Cooler AN Fittings on the pump output and return just below the breather. The Vernatherm is shown installed as part of the Oil Filter Adapter and I don't see the relationship to the Oil Cooler curcuit? Having just installed a B&C right angle filter adapter and currently fitting the oil cooler I need to fully understand how it works. Any further info or clarification much appreciated.

Regards, Russell

Hi Russell,
When the oil is cold, there is oil pressure down the lower oil cooler hose from the pump to the cooler. At that time, the vernatherm is porting the upper oil cooler hose to the same oil pump output pressure and that same upper port the vernatherm is leaving open, is supplying the engine with oil pressure and at the same time, also supplying the cooler with oil pump output pressure. There is no flow because both hoses and ports to the cooler have the same oil pump output pressure going to them in the direction towards the cooler. The oil cooler is in parallel with the engine and has no flow because there is no pressure differential between the two hoses and ports that would supply the cooler. the oil flow is out of the pump, to the filter, to the engine with the cooler bypassed. As the oil heats up, the vernatherm starts to close . The porting of the upper oil cooler hose, changes from being in parallel with the engine to be in series with the engine. Now, the oil flow is out of the pump down the lower hose through the cooler and back into the engine through the upper hose. At the point the oil now goes to the filter and the rest of the engine.
So the flow is out of the pump, through the cooler, through the filter, to the rest of the engine.
The vernatherm has a spring loaded bypass so that when it is in the closed position, with hot oil, should the cooler become plugged, the bypass will open to allow flow to the rest of the engine by porting the oil like there was cold oil.
To confuse things , just a bit, when the oil is cold there is actually a very small amount of flow through the cooler to prevent oil from congealing in it, during extreme cold weather operation. Very, very limited flow but it is there. Thus, if you flew for hours at high altitude, where it was very cold and the oil temp was really low, the cooler would be off line due to the cold oil. during this type of operation, the cooler wouldn't plug up with very cold oil due to the lack of flow because of the very limited flow through the cooler that is allowed when the oil is cold. And when you lost altitude and the ambient got warmer and the oil temp went up to normal the cooler would be functional and not plugged with cold congealed oil, due to the limited flow that was allowed to keep the oil in the cooler from congealing. Hope this helps and you understand it.
Good Luck,
Mahlon

[Mark Dickens]

For anyone bored enough to continue following this saga, I've chosen to send the engine back to Continental/Titan. They shipped a crate yesterday and I should have it today. Scott Welch at Continental has been very easy to work with and very responsive to questions. I probably could have saved a few bucks with a different shop, but I think you generally get what you pay for.

I should have the engine back in about 6 weeks +/- after I ship it. I think I know how I will be spending Labor Day. More later...

[RONSIM]

could understand! I (we) really appreciate your input on the forum!

Ron

[Sue]

Plug, check crank plug. At least pull spark plugs,
Motor engine and look for oil flow.
DO NOT RUN ENGINE until you get
Pressure!!!!

[RussellT]

Thanks Mahlon, Your explanation helps enormously and I understand it now. I have more wonderings about the Vernatherm but that would be for another thread. Thanks again.

Mark, please let us know what you/Titan find. It is a tough way to find out how a Lyc fares without oil pressure but it is interesting.

Regards,
Russell