Earl Findlay
Active Member
I've been BUSY building my -14, but still managing to take the -9A up once per week or so. Anyhow I've been having a bit of a low oil pressure problem on it recently. I've been running the motor at 5 quarts, because that's where it seemed to be happy. Well, the last two flights the oil pressure has been around 55 psi. That's 15 psi lower than I am used to. Well, today I wiped down the dipstick (It has markings every 2 quarts, so 4, 6, 8, etc. quarts) to service up the oil. Turns out I have been running it closer to 4 quarts than 5 quarts. Good thing the minimum is 4 quarts.. phew.
I have not flown the airplane yet (tomorrow), but I suspect now that I am up around 6 quarts, my oil pressure "problem" will be gone.
Moral of the story: with the dipsticks that only read every 2 quarts, it's hard to tell where the middle quantities lie. My takeaway is, just keep the **** motor at 6 quarts and call it good.
I have not flown the airplane yet (tomorrow), but I suspect now that I am up around 6 quarts, my oil pressure "problem" will be gone.
Moral of the story: with the dipsticks that only read every 2 quarts, it's hard to tell where the middle quantities lie. My takeaway is, just keep the **** motor at 6 quarts and call it good.