Why don't people get this...

it might have the minimum oil but nowhere near the amount that I'd want before flying...

min oil is what 2q?
 
The tool for manual gear extension on the Duchess fits perfectly for untightening those - it has two slots which fit exactly around the two ribs on the cap. :bandit:
 
The worst is when somebody makes it really tight, and then you have to fly the plane right afterwards, so it's both hot AND tight. I deal with it by opening the cowling as soon as I get to the plane. By the time I finish the external inspection, it's usually cooled off quite a bit, and it's easier to remove. It's easy to remember, since you won't start taxying with the cowling open!
 
tgrayson said:
I'm not convinced that people are doing this. I've gone to remove one that I've tightened and had a hard time removing it. I think there's some other physical process going on (other than heat expansion) that causes it to bind, because it stays bound long after the engine is cool.
Click to expand...
I wonder if it's the combination of the plastic fill tube and the dipstick rubber o-ring. Rubber and plastic can be kind of, er, "grippy" when sliding against each other. I also think there is a bit of lockwasher effect, as the o-ring distorts when being tightened. I've noticed that when loosening a particularly tight dipstick I seem to feel the rubber gripping a little and then letting go as it turns, kinda like when you slowly slide a wet finger along glass.
 
When I was actively flight instructing, I would always carry a pair of pliers in my flight bag just for this purpose. I was always able to get it open with pliers.
 
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