galvestonaggie
Well-Known Member
So ever since I got back from Oshkosh I have noticed that my plane (Aero Commander 100 with Lycoming O-320 150hp) has been consistently overheating on climb out and burning about 1 quart of oil every 2 hours. I immediately checked the baffling which was in good condition so I decided to take it into my local AMP. Turns out the thing is completely missing 2 exhaust gasket (a 3rd one is cracked), has 4 bad spark plugs, needs something called an oil air separator and an oil filter adaptor ( it currently only has a screen). Anyways I told the AMP to go ahead and change all of the gaskets and replace all of the spark plugs (500 USD!) but to hold off on the filter adaptor and oil air separator as my rear end is already sore enough! Anyways the question I have for my fellow JC brethren is this:
1. Do I really need this oil/air separator or can I just keep adding oil to the old girl
2. what benefit will I see from an oil filter conversion (i.e. will just having the screen cost me more in the long run in terms of oil change frequency and engine longevity)
***For all of you thinking of buying an airplane take note because this is the kind of stuff you can expect! Now I'm not saying don't do it just understand what your getting yourself into and keep a good cash reserve. You don't end up like me and have a nice pretty plane just sitting on the ramp that you can't even afford to put gas into!
1. Do I really need this oil/air separator or can I just keep adding oil to the old girl
2. what benefit will I see from an oil filter conversion (i.e. will just having the screen cost me more in the long run in terms of oil change frequency and engine longevity)
***For all of you thinking of buying an airplane take note because this is the kind of stuff you can expect! Now I'm not saying don't do it just understand what your getting yourself into and keep a good cash reserve. You don't end up like me and have a nice pretty plane just sitting on the ramp that you can't even afford to put gas into!