The two most common questions that I still get are: 1. What oil should I use in my aircraft engine? And 2. Are different brands and grades of oils compatible?
A Q&A with Lycoming’s top man
April 28, 2013 by 4 Comments
After Oshkosh, I sent an email to Michael Kraft, Lycoming’s senior vice president and general manager. Due to this busy travel schedule, he was just able to get his answers to me. To honor his request, I agreed to run this in a Q&A format.
Q: Is Lycoming working on or considering development of a diesel cycle piston aircraft engine?
Continental extends TBOs up to 400 hours
April 18, 2013 by 2 Comments
Continental Motors has increased TBO up to 400 hours on Gold Standard Factory produced engines.
Ask Paul: Why are my #3 cylinder CHTs so high?
January 8, 2013 by 2 Comments
Q: Recently — 50 hours ago — I had a Lycoming O-360-A4A overhauled with new ECi Titan steel cylinders installed. The #3 cylinder has had high-ish CHTs from the beginning. [Read more...]
Blue skies ahead for Cessna’s diesel 182
December 30, 2012 by 2 Comments
One of the interesting technical stories from this summer’s AirVenture in Oshkosh was that Cessna has completed certification and introduced into the market a diesel cycle 182 aircraft, known as the Turbo Skylane JT-A.
Storing your airplane for the winter
December 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Are you ready for winter? Is your plane? AVweb recently published a primer on the importance of preparing your plane for winter. It’s complete with detailed instructions for Lycoming and Continental engines. Check it out here.
Ask Paul: What are these aluminum specks?
December 10, 2012 by 1 Comment
Q: I lost the left mag on my O-540. When I took it apart, I found four aluminum specks in the top oil screen. I pulled the rear housing off and found the aluminum gear still in the engine. I sent it off for repairs to Tulsa, where they installed a new oil pump, shaft, gears and housing, as well as a new fuel pump and dry vaccum, and two rebuilt mags. I ran it for 1.5 hours, then pulled the screen and found a few specks again, but not as many as the first. Any ideas?
More tips on breaking in your engine
December 2, 2012 by 1 Comment
In the past few months, my friend Paul McBride has written several very interesting and informative articles on “breaking in” an aircraft engine, including “How to break-in your engine”. I recommend that you read them when or if you have a new or rebuilt engine to install on your aircraft. [Read more...]
Ask Paul: What to do about oil-fouled plugs?
November 4, 2012 by 1 Comment
Q: My partner, Lou, and I just had our Piper PA 28 235 overhauled and are having problems with the lower plugs getting oil fouled. The plugs have been cleaned a couple of times but she runs rough and they foul again. The mechanics are talking about putting a thin wire plug in. My concern is that we could have a leak in the valve stem seal, rings, or head or valve cover gaskets. The cylinders were rechromed and we had new rings, the valves machined, etc. One shop did the machining and cylinders, another shop assembled everything.
Where should we start?
TOM CAMP, via email
How to break-in your engine
September 5, 2012 by 1 Comment
I recently received a letter asking about engine break-in following overhaul. This is a subject that should be of interest to everyone, even though you may never actually have the opportunity to break-in an engine during your flying years.
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