When I got my new-to-me Cherokee 180 last year, during initial insurance mandated training the CFI commented how nice and low the oil temp was. Was sitting pretty low on the standard oil temp guage - maybe 120 F or so. From my perspective - sounds good to me.
Over the holidays while having my shoulder harnesses put in, the IA and I were lookng at my plane, and noticed some oil around the oil temp sending unit. Upon further inspection, the unit was broken. Not wanting to risk a major oil leak, and also wanting the guage to read correctly, we replace it. IA did the beleive the old oil temp probe was the proper unit to begin with. He testing the unit to see how the temp guage read in regards to actual temp, and found it withing 10 degrees F. close enough for a 50 year old plane. Se we went with it.
I've flown the plane a few times now with the new probe in, and oil temp, while reading higher, is still not up to the the 180 level the Lycoming engine manual recommends. Grannte - still cool weather (last couple of flights air temp was 50 - 60 degrees). Gauge may be 170 on climb out - the then settles down to 130-140.
Note - oil cooler block off plate is still on. My plate is not a complete cover, as are some I have seen - it has a hole in the middle and thus blocks out abouts 50% of the air flow.
What makes this interesting - my hangar neighbor has a Long EZ and his most recent project was to install a remote sliding door to block off his oil cooler. He has trouble getting his oil temp up to 180 F. His last interation of the sliding door now blocks off 100% of the air - and his temps still are 140 F or so. He wants a higher temp to make sure the condensation moisture if heated off of the oil. He had been using some manually installed plates, were where not consistently effective.
Just trying to learn here. it's a journey. Thanks for any comments.
Gary
Over the holidays while having my shoulder harnesses put in, the IA and I were lookng at my plane, and noticed some oil around the oil temp sending unit. Upon further inspection, the unit was broken. Not wanting to risk a major oil leak, and also wanting the guage to read correctly, we replace it. IA did the beleive the old oil temp probe was the proper unit to begin with. He testing the unit to see how the temp guage read in regards to actual temp, and found it withing 10 degrees F. close enough for a 50 year old plane. Se we went with it.
I've flown the plane a few times now with the new probe in, and oil temp, while reading higher, is still not up to the the 180 level the Lycoming engine manual recommends. Grannte - still cool weather (last couple of flights air temp was 50 - 60 degrees). Gauge may be 170 on climb out - the then settles down to 130-140.
Note - oil cooler block off plate is still on. My plate is not a complete cover, as are some I have seen - it has a hole in the middle and thus blocks out abouts 50% of the air flow.
What makes this interesting - my hangar neighbor has a Long EZ and his most recent project was to install a remote sliding door to block off his oil cooler. He has trouble getting his oil temp up to 180 F. His last interation of the sliding door now blocks off 100% of the air - and his temps still are 140 F or so. He wants a higher temp to make sure the condensation moisture if heated off of the oil. He had been using some manually installed plates, were where not consistently effective.
Just trying to learn here. it's a journey. Thanks for any comments.
Gary
