High oil temps in COLD ambient conditions

[randylervold]

Carbon Cub SS owners should be advised that we have found that in VERY cold ambient temps that high oil temps can result, which of course is completely counterintuitive. We've found that if the engine is started when cold soaked and then operated at extreme cold outside air temperatures the straight weight oil will congeal such that it will not flow through the oil cooler and high oil temps will result. The solution is to make sure the engine is not cold soaked below freezing before starting. On two occasions we've had ferry pilots experience this condition, then land and let the engine compartment warm up, and head back out in the same ambient conditions with no further problem. Once warm oil circulates through the entire system it appears to remain warm. If the oil temp goes up again then blocking all or part of the front surface of the oil cooler should be tried.

To help combat this we have recently changed our factory oil fill to Phillips 66 Type M 20W-50 which is a multiviscosity mineral oil. This is what is recommended by ECI and will be our new year round oil. Click here for more info.

P_Av_TypeM_20w50.jpg

This may or may not apply to O-200 powered Sport Cubs, but multi-viscosity oil can only help, especially in the winter, and we'll fill new aircraft with this oil also.

[couleeone]

I made a copy of this posting and emailed it to my mechanic and yesterday when we changed oil we switched to the Phillips multiviscosity. By the way it is cheaper than areoshell.

Thanks Randy,

Geo

[randylervold]

I made a copy of this posting and emailed it to my mechanic and yesterday when we changed oil we switched to the Phillips multiviscosity. By the way it is cheaper than areoshell.

Thanks Randy,

Geo

Geo, whoa there, the Philllips M 20W-50 referenced above is intended for break-in use only. Once you're past 40-50 hrs you should be using a good AD oil, and our recommendation is to use a multi-vis, especially if you're in a seriously cold climate.

If you're using Aeroshell 15W-50 then you're good. Once engines are broken in then any of the good multi-vis oils would be suitable: Aeroshell, Exxon, or Phillips.

[couleeone]

Randy we used non Mineral oil Philllips AD 20W-50.

Geo