Proper oil level for CC340

[randylervold]

Heretofore there has been no information in the POH about proper oil level for the CC340 though we have passed along instructions verbally to our dealers and to customers directly and I believe there is something in the Maintenance Manual provided with every aircraft. That is being rectified: language is being written and will be included in the next rev that all owners will receive. Until then though I thought I'd pass some info along.

As most of you know we fabricate and install our own oil sump rather than using the incredibly heavy Lycoming-style sump. Our sump is welded up from aluminum sheet, aluminum tube, and some laser-cut flat aluminum for the flange. The sump also is designed to hold less oil (further weight reduction). A standard Lycoming/ECi 4-cylinder engine likes to run a a 6 qt level. Yes, conventional wisdom is to fill it with 8 qts, but it will blow the top 2 qts off pretty quickly and settle in at 6. Since our sump holds 2 qts less the target oil level should be 4 qts. So, you can safely let it run down to somewhere below 4 qts and then add one. Since the sump holds less oil checking and maintaining your oil level becomes more important.

There is no question that increasing the oil quantity helps lower oil temp by spreading the heat over a larger quantity of oil. Adding a quart may lower your oil temp 10°. So, in hot ambient conditions consider running oil level a half to full quart higher.

[Pete D]

Bear in mind as well that if you are running a oil filter adapter that will take just under 1 quart of oil to fill the filter and adapter. So on an oil change I would say you want to put 5 quarts in, run it, and adjust level by adding as needed....

Pete D

[RanRan]

Bear in mind as well that if you are running a oil filter adapter that will take just under 1 quart of oil to fill the filter and adapter. So on an oil change I would say you want to put 5 quarts in, run it, and adjust level by adding as needed....

Pete D

Are there quart markers on the CC340's dip stick?

[randylervold]

Are there quart markers on the CC340's dip stick?

You betcha.

[randylervold]

Bear in mind as well that if you are running a oil filter adapter that will take just under 1 quart of oil to fill the filter and adapter. So on an oil change I would say you want to put 5 quarts in, run it, and adjust level by adding as needed....

Pete D

Whether one has the oil filter or not I'd put 5 qts in at an oil change, the screen housing, cooler and lines, etc., hold some oil that will be drained in a change.

[Paul]

Randy and Pete, has anything changed since 2012 as far as recommended oil levels?
I believe the POH now shows 4.5 to 5 quarts.

And is it possible that with the combination of the run-in by ECI or CC plus 3 hours of runtime on the engine that my CC340 is broken in? As near as I can tell, it appears my oil level stabilized at 5 quarts and I'm not losing anymore.

BTW, what a great running engine

[randylervold]

Randy and Pete, has anything changed since 2012 as far as recommended oil levels?
I believe the POH now shows 4.5 to 5 quarts.

And is it possible that with the combination of the run-in by ECI or CC plus 3 hours of runtime on the engine that my CC340 is broken in? As near as I can tell, it appears my oil level stabilized at 5 quarts and I'm not losing anymore.

BTW, what a great running engine

Paul,

4.0 is still the target operating level. Add a qt at 3.5 which will take it up to 4.5. If you are operating in really hot OAT conditions then run it a half qt higher as more oil will lower oil temps, but the oil cooler has surplus cooling capacity so you're not likely to get high oil temps.

Regarding break-in you're looking for oil consumption to stabilize, not oil level. BTW, congrats on your first flight Paul, that's gotta feel good! We're here to help so just let us know if we can help.

[Paul]

Paul,

4.0 is still the target operating level. Add a qt at 3.5 which will take it up to 4.5. If you are operating in really hot OAT conditions then run it a half qt higher as more oil will lower oil temps, but the oil cooler has surplus cooling capacity so you're not likely to get high oil temps.

Regarding break-in you're looking for oil consumption to stabilize, not oil level. BTW, congrats on your first flight Paul, that's gotta feel good! We're here to help so just let us know if we can help.

Ok....this is a dumb question I'm sure but.....is the oil level (on the dipstick) not the best way to measure consumption?

[randylervold]

Ok....this is a dumb question I'm sure but.....is the oil level (on the dipstick) not the best way to measure consumption?

Sorry Paul, yes indeed oil level on the dipstick is the way to measure consumption, I think I misunderstood your comment. Sounds like your engine is breaking in a bit earlier than most if your consumption has stabilized. The other way to know is that your cylinders will typically run 20° cooler than they were when new at the same power setting. Notice any temp differences?

[Paul]

Sorry Paul, yes indeed oil level on the dipstick is the way to measure consumption, I think I misunderstood your comment. Sounds like your engine is breaking in a bit earlier than most if your consumption has stabilized. The other way to know is that your cylinders will typically run 20° cooler than they were when new at the same power setting. Notice any temp differences?

Randy, I've flown 4 times and in all that time my oil temp has held very steady at 150 plus or minus 2 degrees. We've had a little cooler weather here....mid 60's...maybe that has something to do with the temps stabilizing at that level.
And it could be the manufacturer run-in had a big contribution towards break in.
thx
Paul
CCEX #47