gerrychuck
Well Known Member
Flying today with unseasonably warm (37 F at altitude) temps. I have my oil cooler inlet covered with foil tape, and the oil temp gradually crept up to about 220 and stabilized there; definitely the hottest I've seen so far. As the flight went on (1.2 hrs air time) oil pressure started to slide downward a bit, stabilizing at about 30-35 psi, where it normally sits at about 60. Oil quantity was okay; just under 6 qt before the flight, and probably about the same after (checked hot; probably still draining down, quantity was still over 5.5). All readings for both temp and pressure remained in the green on my gauge, but the pressure was definitely a bit lower than what I normally see.
Is the lower than normal pressure likely related to lower viscosity with the higher temps? Can't think of any other reason, but I'm not sure how much the temp would affect things.
Incidentally, I already have the Nonstop Aviation butterfly controller for the oil cooler sitting on the bench in the hangar waiting to go in; if we keep getting warm weather like this it's going to become a high priority...
Thanks in advance
Is the lower than normal pressure likely related to lower viscosity with the higher temps? Can't think of any other reason, but I'm not sure how much the temp would affect things.
Incidentally, I already have the Nonstop Aviation butterfly controller for the oil cooler sitting on the bench in the hangar waiting to go in; if we keep getting warm weather like this it's going to become a high priority...
Thanks in advance