macrafic
Well Known Member
Wondering if it is OK to mix oil brands and viscosity. Here is the situation.
I live in Minnesota. During the warmer months, I use a straight weight oil (Aeroshell W100 Plus). During the colder months, I use a multi-weight (Phillips 66 X/C 20W-50). I generally only fly 50-60 hours per year, however. So, come oil change time, I only have 25-30 hours on the oil and filter. My target is to change both at least every 50 hours. (My oil filter is a severe PIA to change!!!!!!). So, am contemplating changing the oil at 25 and only changing the filter every other time (50 hrs). And, of course, cutting the filter open and analyzing any metal, or send the filter into AvLabs and let them analyze it.
The issue is the quart of oil that remains in the filter at oil change time. This oil would mix with the 6 quarts of different brand and viscosity of oil that is added after draining the oil.
My main questions: Is there a problem with this?
BTW, if you want to comment on changing oils on a seasonal basis, I am open to thoughts. My plane is hangared, and I do NOT start the plane in the colder months without having it plugged in (heated). I can't, however, guarantee that I would have this heating capability if traveling to other cold places during the winter so, avoid any possibility of cold starts, I change the oil to (mult-viscosity) to make it as easy on the engine as possible. I also worry about running multi-viscosity in warmer places I may travel to during the summer months (Arizona, Texas, etc.). So, I change the oil to a single (and heavier) weight. Truth be told, we may travel to such places 2-3 times per year, if even that. Still, one cold start and the damage that is done to the engine... Thoughts?
I live in Minnesota. During the warmer months, I use a straight weight oil (Aeroshell W100 Plus). During the colder months, I use a multi-weight (Phillips 66 X/C 20W-50). I generally only fly 50-60 hours per year, however. So, come oil change time, I only have 25-30 hours on the oil and filter. My target is to change both at least every 50 hours. (My oil filter is a severe PIA to change!!!!!!). So, am contemplating changing the oil at 25 and only changing the filter every other time (50 hrs). And, of course, cutting the filter open and analyzing any metal, or send the filter into AvLabs and let them analyze it.
The issue is the quart of oil that remains in the filter at oil change time. This oil would mix with the 6 quarts of different brand and viscosity of oil that is added after draining the oil.
My main questions: Is there a problem with this?
BTW, if you want to comment on changing oils on a seasonal basis, I am open to thoughts. My plane is hangared, and I do NOT start the plane in the colder months without having it plugged in (heated). I can't, however, guarantee that I would have this heating capability if traveling to other cold places during the winter so, avoid any possibility of cold starts, I change the oil to (mult-viscosity) to make it as easy on the engine as possible. I also worry about running multi-viscosity in warmer places I may travel to during the summer months (Arizona, Texas, etc.). So, I change the oil to a single (and heavier) weight. Truth be told, we may travel to such places 2-3 times per year, if even that. Still, one cold start and the damage that is done to the engine... Thoughts?