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Well, while you're here check out my cylinders I just borescoped and let me know what your thoughts are. I'm doing this primarily because I've been experiencing higher oil consumption in the past +6 months of 1qt/3hrs. (Yikes) Only fill it to about 6qts and tend to change oil every 25-30hrs. No metal in the filter in the past 3 changes and oil analysis comes back normal for my 1430hr engine. I've also had abnormally high oil temps with low to normal CHT's. (Granted I live in ABQ but never seen oil nearly red line before). My initial thoughts are increased blow by due to frozen or broken oil rings hence the oil use/ higher temps. I just completed the oil control ring flush yesterday but haven't ran it yet. So, check out the pictures in the linked albums and let me know what your thoughts are. I believe I see a good amount of lead deposits on some of the cylinders and oil pulling as well. Below are the bottom spark plugs for reference too. Nothing crazy or out of the usual for residual oil from my perspective. https://photos.app.goo.gl/p4o59zXnJ8sN8smbA https://photos.app.goo.gl/wdjMyvKrDWE2V5wA6 https://photos.app.goo.gl/AXtSkn4HXR5t8Atr9 https://photos.app.goo.gl/pAVCbk2QWQgWpvoF9 In the meantime, I'm trying to pull the vernetherm to test if it's working correctly but it's being a real PITA. The return line from the oil cooler is getting in the way so seems like I'll have to pull that as well. I'm also trying to re-install the oil regulator so the bypass holes line up correctly but will need a new crush washer for that. (Mines the non-adjustable kinda adjustable with washer type.) Let me know what youses think! -KC

I've been watching with alarm a significant increase in oil consumption (and tons of oil on the belly of my plane) over the past year or so. I'm up to about 1 quart per every 2.5 hours. My mechanic has been recommending a top overhaul based on the symptoms and oily spark plugs. Yesterday, I took the plane to another shop to adjust my mag timing and to get a second opinion on the cylinders (including identifying which of the cylinders was causing the problem, since I disagreed with my regular mechanic about replacing all 4 instead of just those that are problematic). The new shop showed me that all 4 cylinders were glazed and that I do, in fact, need a full Top Overhaul (quoted me btwn $5K and $8K to overhaul my existing cylinders - I think that the higher end of the range would be for replacing the pistons, if necessary). I currently have 1950 hours on the engine - so I'm inclined to overhaul they cylinders rather than replace them with new ones. I'd be grateful for any thoughts from the group here - particularly on the following questions: 1. I'm have a flight planned from Chicago to the east coast next week. My understanding is that this condition isn't really a safety issue as long as I can ensure that I maintain enough oil in the engine - so I'm inclined to take this flight (the cylinder repair will probably be late Sept or early October) - but I'd like to pressure-test this notion with the group. 2. My engine is high-time (over 1900 hours) and so I'm inclined to overhaul my existing cylinders (quoted btwn $5,200 and $8K depending on whether or not I need new pistons), rather than buy factory new cylinders. Again - I'd be grateful for any thoughts on that decision. Thanks in advance for all responses! -Howard

My Rocket lost 4 quarts of oil during a 3 hour flight. I found out when it took 4 quarts to get it back to 8. Until then I was using about 1 quart every 4 hours and I didn't think much of it. During the flight manifold pressure starting to fluctuate about 4 inches, with oil pressure close to yellow range. I since figured out the MP fluctuation was due to insufficient oil pressure actuating the turbo waste gate. Landed at nearest field and local maintenance facility did leak down, one of the cylinders was around 40 lbs. No oil in exhaust or any other visible leak but lots of oil under belly. The oil was coming out of the crankcase breather tube due to blow by. They pulled the cylinder and put in new ring set and that fixed it. I also noticed the oil was still clear after a 4 hour return flight. So if you're losing an excessive amount of oil this could be due to blow by like it was for me.