Oil Quantity (IO-360)?

[dmat]

Hi All,

basic question but figured I ask.... My IO360 manual states no more then 8qts and some ridiculous number of no less then 4qts.

I have been hovering at about 6 qts. Is that acceptable or should I play it safe and keep it at 7?

Thanks,
D

[mikerkba]

6 quarts is adequate for operation in all attitudes, and has always been my minimum level at takeoff. In my experience, and often reported, 7 or 8 quart level leads to venting overboard to a stable level at 6. Look to your engine manual for more info. I think you will find that minimum for takeoff is 4 quarts, just FYI -- not recommending.

[Daida]

Does a Superior cold air sump change anything concerning the quantity?

My guess is that due to its construction, the oil pan itself lost a bit of the volume (to take oil) compared to a standard oil pan.
Therefore the level of the oil, lets take 6 qts, is slightly higher and will be vented overboard.......

So what is the oil quantity if you use a superior cold air sump?

What do the guys do who already fly behind an IO-360 with superior cold air sump?

Mit Fliegergru

[Raymo]

Originally Posted by Daida

Does a Superior cold air sump change anything concerning the quantity?

My guess is that due to its construction, the oil pan itself lost a bit of the volume (to take oil) compared to a standard oil pan.
Therefore the level of the oil, lets take 6 qts, is slightly higher and will be vented overboard.......

So what is the oil quantity if you use a superior cold air sump?

What do the guys do who already fly behind an IO-360 with superior cold air sump?

Mit Fliegergruß

You'll likely need to re-calibrate your dipstick to the new sump but the amount should not change, if I recall.

[Daida]

re-calibration of the dipstick is necessary!

I am just curious about the quantity!

Mit Fliegergru

[JonJay]

5 qtz on the dip stick (in the sump), +/- 1 qt in the filter.
Any more and mine will just dump the extra.
When I change oil, I fill with 6 qtz with a new filter. It will always find its level on the dip stick right at or near 5.

[Raymo]

Originally Posted by Daida

re-calibration of the dipstick is necessary!

I am just curious about the quantity!

Mit Fliegergru?

An email to Superior asking if the capacity for my O360-A4M would remain at 8 qts received the following response:

"Yes, it remains at the same capacity"

I plan to do this upgrade in the next 6 months.

[Toobuilder]

for the 4 bangers I consider 6 "Full", and add when it drops below 4.

[rzbill]

Careful with the original dipstick for the IO-360-M1B. As the Lyc service bulletin about dipstick replacement intimates, the level marking below 6 Qt is incorrect. I have not changed mine yet but during an oil change after the SB, I filled one quart at a time and watched the dipstick. The 4 Qt mark is definitely in the wrong place and the area under the 6 Qt is not visually linear. Actual contained oil drops really quickly when the oil shows below 6 Qt.

As a result, I have gotten into the habit of keeping the level right at 6 Qt by adding 1/2 Qt when needed.

[catmandu]

A very respected sage who cashed quite a few paychecks from Lycoming Engines taught me that every engine has a 'happy spot' when it comes to oil level. The IO-360 I fly is around 5.5 qts. The O-320 I fly is around 4.75 qts. Anything more than those quantities on those particular airplanes ends up on the belly of the airplane. YMMV.