LA-65 Oil Use

[Dan1940Chief]

Over 15 hours total run time my LA-65 has lost about 1 quart of oil.

Is this about right?

[MikeB]

I'd consider that to be very good. My A65 uses about a quart in 10 hours. I generally add one quart and then change.

MikeB

[Dan1940Chief]

I'd consider that to be very good. My A65 uses about a quart in 10 hours. I generally add one quart and then change.

MikeB

Excellent -- I was hoping that was the normal rate. It appears 99.9% of the oil has been tossed overboard, to stick to the belly and the gear.


The last oil change was with Phillips 15-50, though I think I've read here somewhere (?) that Aeroshell is preferred.

[joea]

I would be very happy with that burn rate.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Dan,
I prefer the higher viscosity of the straight grade oil. In California I use 40WT year round.
Paul

[Dan1940Chief]

Dan,
I prefer the higher viscosity of the straight grade oil. In California I use 40WT year round.
Paul

It gets pretty cold here in SW Pennsylvania, so the multi-grade is almost a requirement. I'm in a hangar with electric for now (KMGW), and so use the trouble-light under the cowl and lots of blankets and various plugs in the cowl to keep the engine warm.

I did finally perfect the backpack stove heater. I used 4" aluminum dryer ducting, a .50cal ammo can, and a Coleman backpacking stove. The heat is easily regulated and all comes up the ducting. It hasn't been cold enough to need it yet, but it's ready to go on those wonderful cold, dense air days!

[joea]

Going to be in the high 30's here in Phoenix tonight so something like this would be nice now.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Dan,
We tried the Phillips radial engine multi-grade in one of the planes and the oil use went sky high. Changed back to straight grade 60wt and it returned to normal. This plane had an oil dilution system for cold weather operations.
For the little Continentals you could drop to a 20wt or 30wt for the extremes. If the multi-grade works in your environment use it. We have such mild temperatures that oil isn't too much of a concern.
Paul

[MikeB]

I use Phillips 20-50 XC in my A65. As stated above, oil consumption is around 10 hours per quart. I suspect getting pilots and techs to agree on oil brands is like deciding which is best: blonde, burnette or red head (or mo-gas vs. 100LL).
Personal opinion: I feel the multi-grades give superior performance in the colder climates, although I did preheat this morning and the temperature was around 30F so a straight weight would have probably been OK. I've just had good luck with the X-C, guess that's why I use it.

MikeB

[roberd42]

I believe I read in the O-145 Operating Manual that oil consumption in the normal RPM range is about .27/quarts/hr. However, I see about 1 quart every 10-15hrs myself. Thats still well below the manual specs as normal. So Im happy.

[CptKelly]

Roberd42,
I have left you a PM.

Mike Kelly

[SFC Hiatt]

I got about a guart every 1.5 hours on the trip home from Middletown. Made it home on a wing and a prayer and have since done 85% of a complete overhaul. Hope to be in the air again on Saturday with more like 10 hours per qt.

[flyboy1964]

I just changed oil today. After 20 hrs I burned One half quart. I am very pleased with that. I am using aeroshell 15-50 semi synthetic.

[davesabre60]

Not much to add, except if it's working, don't FIX IT.