O-300 oil temps - should I be concerned or not?
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:36 pm
Follow on to some previous oil temp discussions.
Since owning my plane I noticed that it tended to run hot on x-country trips and pretty much right about 240 in extended climbs.
Had my oil temp gauge checked - it is actually reading correctly and we identified several exhaust leaks. Just had the exhaust completed refurbished and re-installed and since that work I did some x-country climb and performance testing last week. Everything is currently within parameters, but it is still fairy cool outside and I may be just a little paranoid since I'll be looking to embark on the epic coast-coast trip in mid-late June when things will be alot warmer.
So, here is what I experienced since the exhaust rebuild:
Took off from San Diego and climbed straight up to 11k. Pretty much held it at 85-90 MPH IAS. Temp got up to 225 (old redline) around 7-8k and ultimately got up to around 230 and held there until I levelled off at 11k and set cruise power. Cruising at 11,000' and 2450 RPM, the temp came down to around 210-215 and held there until I started to descend. (OAT at 11k was around 40F)
Refueled at Yuma and then flew back. Alot warmer in Yuma than San Diego (mid-80s on the surface) and initially climbed up to 6,500. Oil temp went up 225-230 alot quicker this time because of the OAT, but steadied out and never got above 230 in the climb.
So....since I am still learning this plane/engine and this is my first plane with no oil cooler, I ask - does this sound normal? Everything is technically within operating specs/parameters, but I am obviously not used to seeing my oil temp that high. I am also wondering how it will be in June, and in particular getting between Phoenix and the continetal divide. I plan to overnight in Phoenix and depart at 0500-0600 in the morning to minimize the temps and will overnight at SAF and depart early morning to minimize temps/DA. Once I get past the mountains around SAF, I don't expect to need to climb very high for the rest of the trip.
Thoughts?
Since owning my plane I noticed that it tended to run hot on x-country trips and pretty much right about 240 in extended climbs.
Had my oil temp gauge checked - it is actually reading correctly and we identified several exhaust leaks. Just had the exhaust completed refurbished and re-installed and since that work I did some x-country climb and performance testing last week. Everything is currently within parameters, but it is still fairy cool outside and I may be just a little paranoid since I'll be looking to embark on the epic coast-coast trip in mid-late June when things will be alot warmer.
So, here is what I experienced since the exhaust rebuild:
Took off from San Diego and climbed straight up to 11k. Pretty much held it at 85-90 MPH IAS. Temp got up to 225 (old redline) around 7-8k and ultimately got up to around 230 and held there until I levelled off at 11k and set cruise power. Cruising at 11,000' and 2450 RPM, the temp came down to around 210-215 and held there until I started to descend. (OAT at 11k was around 40F)
Refueled at Yuma and then flew back. Alot warmer in Yuma than San Diego (mid-80s on the surface) and initially climbed up to 6,500. Oil temp went up 225-230 alot quicker this time because of the OAT, but steadied out and never got above 230 in the climb.
So....since I am still learning this plane/engine and this is my first plane with no oil cooler, I ask - does this sound normal? Everything is technically within operating specs/parameters, but I am obviously not used to seeing my oil temp that high. I am also wondering how it will be in June, and in particular getting between Phoenix and the continetal divide. I plan to overnight in Phoenix and depart at 0500-0600 in the morning to minimize the temps and will overnight at SAF and depart early morning to minimize temps/DA. Once I get past the mountains around SAF, I don't expect to need to climb very high for the rest of the trip.
Thoughts?