VNE and constant speed prop and puking oil
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2016 5:55 am
This is tough question to ask here. But I recently got back in my plane after a bit of time off for a double discectomy triple cervical fusion - too many years of being a $hitty dirt bike rider I guess. Any how after some T&G practice I headed back to the airport I park at. On my way in I was trying to beat in another aircraft so I could get off the runway prior to him getting into the pattern (trying to be helpful). I was high coming in and was paying more attention to looking for other aircraft and communication. I got into pattern fairly close to VNE which was a record speed for me and eventually leveled off and focused on getting my brain into landing mode as the winds were doing their mid morning swap and I needed to think about my happy feet, speed, other aircraft and all the other things we focus on during landing. After landing I figured I would tie down and get fuel prior to putting it in the hanger. That's when things got scary.
Oil everywhere. All the way back to the tail wheel. Gear and belly had oil dripping. The A&P that was going to fuel thought it was the drain seal leaking as it was something he noticed needed replacement next oil change. In less than a hour flying it probably puked 1-1/2 + quarts or more out according to dip stick (engine not me). Bottom of engine was all wet and even the forward hole in the bottom of cowl had oil coming out. I went up later to see what was up - assuming cheap fix if there ever is such a thing: they had pulled cowling, Cleaned and ran engine and no major leak ? They did this twice and no real smoking gun. When I left for home last night they were just letting it sit to see where oil drips from.
So two thoughts and I don't know a lot about these engines ; 210hp Cont -injected . But reflecting as I came into the pattern I was fast, and didn't look at RPM or manifold pressure until I was already slowing down. Could the majority of the oil be blown out the tube even though there was oil in front of the tube ? Which is a scary thought of what internally could be wrong. Or from sitting does the engine scavenge oil somewhere and then from now being worked again it sumps it out the breather tube ? Or ???
I will talk to my mechanic again today but thought I would ask. I am sure there is some information missing here to help lead to suggestions. But on the surface - does anyone have any thoughts. Clearly putting it together and just going out flying doesn't sound all that fun when you wonder if its dumping all your oil out on the hill side.
Should I have them do a compression check if they can not find a external leak ? Could I have been over Sq. or over RPM in a danger zone? Can oil under the cowl migrate forward of a leak during flight-seems unlikely but items in the back of my pickup blow up to the cab when driving forward down the road sometimes.
For those about to bash me. I get it, I am a low time pilot and out of practice. Should have known RPM and Manifold pressure during decent. My home airport is a bit tricky from a mountain, narrow, high altitude and paved stand point and I was probably already more thinking landing and wind along with outside distractions and not eyes inside. Looking for help finding solutions here. The flying lesson was learned.
Oil everywhere. All the way back to the tail wheel. Gear and belly had oil dripping. The A&P that was going to fuel thought it was the drain seal leaking as it was something he noticed needed replacement next oil change. In less than a hour flying it probably puked 1-1/2 + quarts or more out according to dip stick (engine not me). Bottom of engine was all wet and even the forward hole in the bottom of cowl had oil coming out. I went up later to see what was up - assuming cheap fix if there ever is such a thing: they had pulled cowling, Cleaned and ran engine and no major leak ? They did this twice and no real smoking gun. When I left for home last night they were just letting it sit to see where oil drips from.
So two thoughts and I don't know a lot about these engines ; 210hp Cont -injected . But reflecting as I came into the pattern I was fast, and didn't look at RPM or manifold pressure until I was already slowing down. Could the majority of the oil be blown out the tube even though there was oil in front of the tube ? Which is a scary thought of what internally could be wrong. Or from sitting does the engine scavenge oil somewhere and then from now being worked again it sumps it out the breather tube ? Or ???
I will talk to my mechanic again today but thought I would ask. I am sure there is some information missing here to help lead to suggestions. But on the surface - does anyone have any thoughts. Clearly putting it together and just going out flying doesn't sound all that fun when you wonder if its dumping all your oil out on the hill side.
Should I have them do a compression check if they can not find a external leak ? Could I have been over Sq. or over RPM in a danger zone? Can oil under the cowl migrate forward of a leak during flight-seems unlikely but items in the back of my pickup blow up to the cab when driving forward down the road sometimes.
For those about to bash me. I get it, I am a low time pilot and out of practice. Should have known RPM and Manifold pressure during decent. My home airport is a bit tricky from a mountain, narrow, high altitude and paved stand point and I was probably already more thinking landing and wind along with outside distractions and not eyes inside. Looking for help finding solutions here. The flying lesson was learned.