Oil dilution Part 2

[Flying Trucker]

CAUTION
With the counterweight propeller, the propeller
control must remain at the HIGH PITCH position
during the shut down and left in that position,
so that the oil in the propeller cylinder is returned
tc the engine oil system. If the engine were started
with the propeller control in the INCREASE RPM
position, the immediate demand for oil to change
the propeller pitch might critically decrease that oil
pressure which is available and necessary for
engine lubrication during the start.
RE -DILUTION
When an engine which was previously prepared for cold weather starting
is run up for ground tests, and the oil inlet temperature was above 55

[Brett_Henderson]

Amazing pieces of engineering, those  old radials..

When I'm getting ready to drag a Warrior out of its hangar, on a sub-freezing morning... and unplug the oil heater... I think about what it would be like to have to manage an oil-dilution system. To an old "motor-head", the very idea of mixing fuel and oil goes against the grain.

When flying club planes that are tied down, far away from any source of electricity; we have to call the airport staff for a pre-heat. If you keep the guy comapny while that propane-fired monster is breathing warmth into engine compartment (and are real nice to him).. he'll let it run for a few extra minutes.. so that you can take those big, orange, hoses and get rid of any leading-edge, wing frost  8-)

[Flying Trucker]

Good morning Brett...

Did you ever use a Herman Nelson Heater...wonderful units.

With the Douglas DC3s & 4s along with the DeHavilland DHC-3 Otters we had wing and engine covers.
Covers for most control surfaces along with control locks.

Well when we were using the Herman Nelson on the engines we could also use it to pre-warm the inside as well...the system worked well.

The one thing I found was the Northern Cold was not damp or bone chilling like here in Southern Ontario. Lots of times I only had on a good vest but here in Southern Ontario one needs a bloody snowmobile suite to keep the cold out.

Have you seen the new little portable propane heaters yet?  I almost purchased one but with the hangar it would have been a waste of money.  

I do remember one winter we had to take the battery out and drain the oil in the aircraft and put both beside the wood stove as we had no APU.  Don't miss those days.  Well maybe I do because someone always had a good bottle of wobbly pop to pass around to keep you warm.  

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[Brett_Henderson]

I'm not sure what make these units are.. they look like roadside, construction generators... BIG, self-trailered deals; capable of warming up both engines on a twim, simultaneously.. They make short-work out of heating up a Warrior.. no need to warm up the cabin.. the WHOLE front 1/2 of the fuselage gets warm to the touch  :D

Southern Ontario's gotta be about the same latitude as here (upper Michigan).. we've probably got the same weather/climate.. Once you're north of the 45th.. cold is cold.. is COLD.. LOL