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Oil pressure variation

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n1cxo320(at)salidaco.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:35 pm Post subject: Oil pressure variation

I am puzzled by this: my RV6A with a Lyc O-320 uses  no oil between changes, isn't leaking oil, and oil temps are completely  normal.

  

 On the way back from OSH I noticed the oil pressure  (as measured on an International Electronics digital OPT-1 meter) dropping to  20PSI - it normally runs 72-74 PSI. I was running at 2300 RPM so I increased  engine RPM to 2500 and the oil pressure immediately climbed back to normal and  stayed there for (perhaps) an hour and the did it again. Increase in RPM again  put the oil pressure into normal range and it stayed there for the rest of the  flight.

  

 My thought it that the sensor may be at fault, but  at $123 to replace it I want to eliminate everything else I can think of before  buying a replacement.

  

 What is your guess, ideas, suggestions, hints, etc.  Any input would be appreciated.

  

 John at Salida, CO

   [quote][b]

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burnsm(at)suddenlink.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject: Oil pressure variation

John,  

Sounds like something going on with the oil pressure relief valve to me.  

I’d take it out, look it over real good and clean it well. Some little something my have gotten stuck on the steel ball.  

   

Just something to try.  

   

Mark  

   

   

         

  

From: owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of John Fasching

 Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 8:34 PM

 To: rv-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Oil pressure variation  

  

     

I am puzzled by this: my RV6A with a Lyc O-320 uses no oil between changes, isn't leaking oil, and oil temps are completely normal.  

    

   

    

On the way back from OSH I noticed the oil pressure (as measured on an International Electronics digital OPT-1 meter) dropping to 20PSI - it normally runs 72-74 PSI. I was running at 2300 RPM so I increased engine RPM to 2500 and the oil pressure immediately climbed back to normal and stayed there for (perhaps) an hour and the did it again. Increase in RPM again put the oil pressure into normal range and it stayed there for the rest of the flight.  

    

   

    

My thought it that the sensor may be at fault, but at $123 to replace it I want to eliminate everything else I can think of before buying a replacement.  

    

   

    

What is your guess, ideas, suggestions, hints, etc. Any input would be appreciated.  

    

   

    

John at Salida,  CO  

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     No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com  270.13.53/2299 - Release Date: 08/12/09 18:12:00  [quote][b]

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jim jewell

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 82
Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject: Oil pressure variation

Hi John,

  

 If you have an oil filter remove it and open it up.  Inspect it carefully for metal partials. Also remove the screen and inspect  it.

 As suggested by Mark Burns remove inspect and  replace the oil pressure regulator valve. Send an oil sample to a lab to get a  best guess as to internal wear and tear.

 Hopefully you will not find engine pieces with part  numbers on them.{[

 Be cautious when trouble shooting the oiling system  behavior you describe. What you describe sounds very much like you could  possibly be getting a warning for a lubrication system failure that at  the very least could be expen$ive.

 I'm not trying to scare you. It may well be a  simple sending unit failure mode or some such simple fixable item. I have  never liked to hear engine stoppage stories. I have hear a few too many of  late.

  

 The best of luck to you,

  

 Jim in Kelowna

  

  

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mmckenna(at)bellsouth.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 5:10 am Post subject: Oil pressure variation

John,

  

  Poor electrical connections will also cause the symptoms you are  experiencing. Check all connections at the sensor and instrument ends. Also look  for any possible intermittent short to ground along the sender  wire.

  

 Mike  Mckenna

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ronlee(at)pcisys.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 5:24 am Post subject: Oil pressure variation

Jim, you are exactly right.  I was troubleshooting something like this  on my RV.

 Added another oil pressure gauge to verify my system.  When that  confirmed

 the readings were right I checked the oil screen and it was full of  metal.

  

 I am not saying that it is the case with you John but I would check  things

 as Jim suggested before flying again.

  

 Ron Lee

  

  

  

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mrobert569(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:24 am Post subject: Oil pressure variation

Everyone else has made good suggestions.  After all that there is one more thing to keep in the bacvk of your head.  It may not be an issue but then again......  And that would be the oil pump.  If the gears in the oil pump are starting to go it can display the symptoms you gave.  If all else looks good then this amy be where you will end up looking especially if you can't find evidence in the engine logs that the AD about this was ever accomplished.  Check everything else first C then ground run it some more with a direct reading pressure gauge before you do any tearing into.



 



Mike Robertson



Das Fed 

From: mmckenna(at)bellsouth.net

To: rv-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: Oil pressure variation

Date: Thu C 13 Aug 2009 09:09:01 -0500





John C

 

 Poor electrical connections will also cause the symptoms you are experiencing. Check all connections at the sensor and instrument ends. Also look for any possible intermittent short to ground along the sender wire.

 

Mike Mckenna



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n1cxo320(at)salidaco.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:57 am Post subject: Oil Pressure Variation

I appreciate all the suggestions. This morning I  drained the oil. Opened the oil pressure relief valve, looked clean, but swabbed  it 6 times with a q-tip dipped in acetone to be sure. Spring was  OK.

  

 Opened the oil screen...clean as it could  be...

  

 Changed oil filter...cut open old filter, put the  filter material in acetone and washed it out real good...used a magnet to see if  there was any material in the bottom of the bucket...came up perfectly  clean..absolutely nothing. Visual inspection of the filter material showed  nothing...no little sparkles or any foreign material.

  

 Ran the engine after the oil change....pressure  came up immediately and ran about 62psi at 900rpm, and came up to 80psi at 1700  rpm...oil was at ambient temp, around 75-deg F. All seems OK.

  

 Will fly tomorrow and get altitude and stay within  gliding range of the airport and fly for an hour and see what happens. I hope  there was some small bit of junk on the ball in the pressure relief valve that I  did not see.

  

 My oil pump gear has the last AD per Carter who did  the overhaul of the engine, that now as 513-hours on it. Never has used oil,  always had changes of Aeroshall 15-50 every 4 months...never missed a change of  oil or filter.

  

 Will post results.

  

 John at Salida, CO

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n1cxo320@salidaco.com

Joined: 15 Aug 2009
Posts: 1

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:46 am Post subject: Re: Oil pressure variation

I flew this morning for half an hour, circling near the airport just in case, and there was never a hint of problem with oil pressure. Stayed at 73/74 the entire time. On run up on the pad I saw these rpm/oil pressure readings: 800rpm/56psi,  1,000/62,  1200/67,  1,300/70,  2250/74. In flight 2,300/74 and rock steady at 73 or 74 psi.



I can only HOPE that the oil pressure relief valve cleaning did the trick. More flying in the next few days to verify. (But this is all taking time away from my RV-12 construction !)



Thanks again for the suggestions folks.



John at Salida, CO

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