Vernatherm oil port question on IO 540

[steven_mba]

I started experiencing elevated oil temperatures (240F). Normal is ~ 190 to 200F. I pulled the vernatherm and it checked out ok. However, there was a circular foreign object in the vernatherm seat. I removed the Casper Labs oil filter adapter to remove the object and it fell into the ether behind the engine. Does anyone know what this object is. I could wiggle it with my finger before I removed the oil filter adapter. Also, do these oil ports look normal to reinstall the adapter? Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[steven_mba]

I started experiencing elevated oil temperatures (240F). Normal is ~ 190 to 200F. I pulled the vernatherm and it checked out ok. However, there was a circular foreign object in the vernatherm seat. I removed the Casper Labs oil filter adapter to remove the object and it fell into the ether behind the engine. Does anyone know what this object is. I could wiggle it with my finger before I removed the oil filter adapter. Also, do these oil ports look normal to reinstall the adapter? Any help greatly appreciated.
View attachment 77670View attachment 77669

I believe Lycoming Service Bulletin 1316A was utilized and bushing was fabricated to repair the vernatherm seat. The bushing came loose bypassing the oil cooler. I believe I need to switch to an adapter with an internal vernatherm seat

 

[DanH]

However, there was a circular foreign object in the vernatherm seat. I removed the Casper Labs oil filter adapter to remove the object and it fell into the ether behind the engine. Does anyone know what this object is. I could wiggle it with my finger before I removed the oil filter adapter.

You said the vernatherm checked out, so I assume nut and conical seat (red) were present on the tip.



Ports look like any other. Confirm no plunger and spring installed in the bypass port. Is that a temperature sender in the circle? If so, it's not a great spot, as there is no flow there, in particular when the bypass port is closed. I would expect the sender to be in the filter adapter.

I believe Lycoming Service Bulletin 1316A was utilized and bushing was fabricated to repair the vernatherm seat. The bushing came loose bypassing the oil cooler. I believe I need to switch to an adapter with an internal vernatherm seat

I was under the impression Casper Labs, old ECI, Titan, and B&C adapters were all near identical. If true, there is no seat in the adapter. Show us the gasket side of the adapter.

 

[Avanza]

You said the vernatherm checked out, so I assume nut and conical seat (red) were present on the tip.

View attachment 77709

Ports look like any other. Confirm no plunger and spring installed in the bypass port. Is that a temperature sender in the circle? If so, it's not a great spot, as there is no flow there, in particular when the bypass port is closed. I would expect the sender to be in the filter adapter.

View attachment 77708



I was under the impression Casper Labs, old ECI, Titan, and B&C adapters were all near identical. If true, there is no seat in the adapter. Show us the gasket side of the adapter.

Here are some pictures of Casper labs adapter. No seat.
Good luck

 

[steven_mba]

Here is the Vernatherm as removed and the gasket side of the adapter. The temp probe was left in from the previous owner and needs to be removed and a plug installed. I removed it and it was only 1” deep and it is not the cylindrical looking object in the bypass port. I used a piece of poly tubing and it went straight through the bypass port an additional 3.5”.

I may be wrong but when the Vernatherm expands should it seal against the accessory case bypass port?

 

[Pilot135pd]

Is that area missing metal or is it the picture?

 

[steven_mba]

Is that area missing metal or is it the picture?

The black material cleaned off pretty easily but you can see the wear pattern is uneven

 

[DanH]

Here is the Vernatherm as removed and the gasket side of the adapter. The temp probe was left in from the previous owner and needs to be removed and a plug installed. I removed it and it was only 1” deep and it is not the cylindrical looking object in the bypass port. I used a piece of poly tubing and it went straight through the bypass port an additional 3.5”.

Ok, good, no viscosity valve plunger. It's important make sure with this type of filter adapter, as the tip of the vernatherm can contact the plunger if present.

I may be wrong but when the Vernatherm expands should it seal against the accessory case bypass port?

Correct. As noted above, there is no seat in the adapter.

Interesting vernatherm nut, drilled and wired. I seem to recall a bulletin to crimp the nut on early units.

Off center wear patterns suggest an old problem with this type of adapter. There is some excess diameter in the four mounting stud holes, so it's possible to tighten the adapter onto the accessory case with the vernatherm non-concentric with the bypass hole.

 

[GCAPilot]

Steven, I had a very similar experience - removed Vernatherm from the ECI housing to test due to high oil temps (it worked).
My bore scope showed what looked like a strange object where the SEAT should have been (in/near the case) 2nd and 3rd photos.

Removed the housing and did NOT find any object - but will insert a bore scope to look closer! Did you ever find the object?