Recommended Engine Oil - 231

[jlunseth]

I have been giving some thought to what oil to use in my 231.  Reading the articles scattered over the Internet this seems to be about as animated a topic as ROP v. LOP.  At any rate, I am thinking that a multi-viscosity 20W-50 or 60 would be the right one for summer use.  I have tried straight 100 (Aeroshell) and for whatever reason the plane seems to go through that faster than it does multivis. 

Anyone with experience have any thoughts? 

For what it is worth, I fly in the 12500-17500 range frequently, and also fly extended trips often.  I climb at WOT and cruise at 75%, 125 ROP.  I have tried LOP a couple of times and intend to do more.  About 3 - 3.5 is as long as anyone in the plane can seem to take without a pit stop, but the trips themselves are often longer and it is not always possible to find oil at an FBO on a Sunday, even if gas is available, so best carry one's own.  The plane flies a couple of times a week at least.

The plane seems to be happy with about six quarts for local flights, but I think I need to fill it to 8 for these longer trips. 

[ovation0219]

I can relate, I have put about 1300 hours on a tsio360 cont. and when I started i had it overhauled by Victor Aviation. They recommended straight 50. I had been using 15w50 in my lycoming in my first plane and i liked it. I called aeroshell and they recommended 50w down to 40 degrees and 15w50 if i started the engine below that. Living in SC I did see much cold starts so i used the 50w and i kept it at 7 qts i also installed a air oil seperator and it helps. i saw about 12 hours on a qt.i would add a quart every 12-15 hours and it would be just over a quart low at change time. I always flew at 100 ROP. when i sold it there was little over 1300 hours on the engine and it had never had a cylinder removed.