Oil pressure and temp

Part 23.1541 says that if an instrument or piece of equipment has unusual design, operating, or handling characteristics they MUST be placarded.
 
trafficinsight said:
Part 23.1541 says that if an instrument or piece of equipment has unusual design, operating, or handling characteristics they MUST be placarded.
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This FAR relates to unusual design, operating or handling characteristics, not malfunctioning equipment. THE GAUGE IS BROKEN/INOP.


91.213 (2) The inoperative instruments and equipment are not—

(iii) Required by §91.205 or any other rule of this part for the specific kind of flight operation being conducted; or

91.205 (b) (5), states Oil pressure gauge for each engine using pressure system.

So basically what you are telling me, is that when your sitting there in front of the NTSB judge that has gone through the maint. records of the airplane that went down, and he see's the section on the engine log book that you stated "Oil pressure gauge reads 20psi high, placarded as such" and the pilot and 2 passengers are dead because the engine came apart, because the guage was malfunctioning, the NTSB judge is going to say, "oh, since you placarded a malfunctoining guage, required by 91.205 (b) your off the hook."? I beg to differ on this one. I have been to NTSB hearings, they will not tolerate required equipment that is malfunctioning placarded as a good substitute for the proper way to fix a broken oil pressure gauge.

Again, 23.1541 is for unusual equipment, not malfuntioning/inop equipment.

Even though part 23 is for certification, check out 23.1301

Each item of installed equipment must—
(d) Function properly when installed.

would you consider reading 20PSI high as functioning properly? I can't think of any NTSB judge that would.
 
trafficinsight said:
There is no oil pressure "sensor" as such. The gauge in the 172P is direct reading, which means the oil pressure line runs directly to the back of the gauge and moves the needle, no devil wires involved, just a bourdon tube ;).

Low temperature = high pressure. I wouldn't get too worked up over it, just be cautious and let it warm up a little more and see what it looks like then.

I wouldn't exceed 1000rpm until I have an oil temp indication anyway.
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This confirms my suspicion then that the pressure was in fact higher than normal, and not just because of cold oil or a faulty "sending unit".

Every time I have started the plane I check the pressure/temp and every time the temp would come up slightly and the pressure would go up to the high side but still be in teh green.

If the pressure gauge is purely mechanical and the temp gauge was showing no movement I am convinced something else was wrong other than just cold oil or possible faulty readings.

Thanks for all the input. This is just one more experience I can use in the future to make a more informed decision.
 
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