Continental IO-360 oil usage. Oil separator?

[HeavyLoad]

I'm wondering what other M4-210 or M5-210 continental IO-360 users get for oil consumption? Seems like I loose more on my belly then I should.

How many qts of oil do you guys keep in it?

Any one using a oil separator and did you notice a difference?

Cheers!

[DeltaRomeo]

Can't speak to Continentals, but I never run the full 8 qts of oil in the O-360 as it usually just puckes it out the crankcase breather. I'm diligent with minding that the oil level does not get too close to minimum either.

[TxAgfisher]

No more than 9qts

[HeavyLoad]

Anyone using a oil separator on a Continental?

[galtpilot]

I have a M5-210C with the oil separator. I use very little oil between changes. I had the same problem as you with oil on the belly and it turned to to be the push rod tubes where they went into the engine. My mechanic said it is not unusual for them to leak there. Resealed and the problem went away.

[crbnunit]

The original IO-360A blew anything over 8qts out the breather tube. The new IO-360D will run the full 10qts with no issues but I still get a pretty greasy belly. Thought about an air/oil separator but don't feel like it is enough of a problem to warrant the paperwork hassle.

[chris_01]

I had seen quick solutions like an empty plastic bottle (shampoo or so...) tied to the firewall where the hose went loosely into. Like this, the oil would stay in the bottle and the air would just disappear to the top. They checked from time to time and emptied if necessary and were happy with it.

Maybe not the most elegant and approved way, but a well working option...

[YELLOWMAULE]

The last engine averaged ~7 hours per quart. The current engine is 4.5-5 hours per quart. Yes on the leaky tube seals and I keep the engine at 6 quarts. Any more and it blows out.

[plowboy]

The last engine averaged ~7 hours per quart. The current engine is 4.5-5 hours per quart. Yes on the leaky tube seals and I keep the engine at 6 quarts. Any more and it blows out.

I thought 7 quarts was the minimum level for safe operation in a 210

[YELLOWMAULE]

Anything more than 7 and you're approaching the puke stage. 6 is the spot where the engine seems to find it's happy medium. Below that we add and keep it below 7 quarts.
However, that being said I find myself needing to adjust things as with the extended gear being added last month, the oil level reads differently with the greater AOA. It won't change what the engine likes at flight level though.

[Dale Smith]

I agree with the statement about extended gear. I noticed almost 3/4 of a quart difference once I installed the extended gear....

[maulem5210c]

Hi HeavyLoad,
I run AeroShell 100w Plus in my Factory Reman. IO-360-D and burn about 1 quart at the 25 hr oil change time. (still running the original screen only). I get very little oil on the belly.

Alan

[HeavyLoad]

Anything more than 7 and you're approaching the puke stage.

This seems to be what I'm seeing also. It's a new engine with only 85 hours on it now. No other leaks, just likes to blow oil out the belly.

[HeavyLoad]

I have a M5-210C with the oil separator.

. Which oil separator do you have? a contential one or a aftermarket one? STC?

[HeavyLoad]

Hi HeavyLoad,
I run AeroShell 100w Plus in my Factory Reman. IO-360-D and burn about 1 quart at the 25 hr oil change time.

Thanks Alan. Yah that's what I'm using too. the 100+. I have it also in my RV6. Though now people are recommending
to me not to use the 100+ and to got back to the 100. I've been running 100+ for years in all my previous planes with no issues.