What proportion of RV's use pre-oilers? Do the engine shops recommend them? Is it worth the additional weight forward of the firewall? What systems are on the market?
Rob
Hi Rob, I would guess that less than 1% of RVers use pre-oilers. There was a guy named Joachim Beh on the Lycoming List who made his own, beautifully constructed pre-oiler which consisted of a panel-mounted plunger similar to a priming plunger with two check valves. Not sure if he is on this forum or not, but if you search the Lycoming list's Yahoo group archives you will find some really nice photos.
I always wondered why there wasn't a system which was essentially "ground support equipment" - used only on those occasions where you haven't flown in over a month or whatever - you pull one of the two oil gallery (galley? I always get confused) plugs at the front of the engine and install your pre-oil hose, turn on the flow from your pre-oil tank which is pressurized with shop air and has a diptube to draw oil from the bottom of the tank (old propane tanks work great for this if modified to add a diptube, ask me how I know
). Once you've pumped in a quart or so, disconnect the hose and reinstall the plug, torque, and go fly.
This approach eliminates airborne weight, complexity, and leak points. You do need to make sure you torque the plug (safety wiring it would be a great idea too)
I had Mattituck add the cam squirts to my case so pre-oiling thoroughly wets the cam lobes and followers. They make a very fine atomized mist which soaks everything starting at the top of the case. Obviously, all of the journals are lubed as well.
With pre-oiling and a DIY dehydrator to remove water in the oil generated from combusting fuel, I would think your Lycosaurus would last a long long time, unlike the engine I just finished overhauling, which had badly spalled cam followers and a shot camshaft