Oil level check M20J

[Loogie]

How long after flying is the oil level settled enough to call it valid (io360)?

How much oil does the IO360 stabilize at?

Just curious, mine looks like it settles at 6 1/4 QTs. However after I run it on a flight it shows just below 6, if I wait 24 hrs it will be back to 6 1/4.

BTW I used my toy to go fly fishing today!

Shenandoah by Luray VA, 30 + fish day!

[kmyfm20s]

Add 7 Quarts at the oil change to give 6 on the stick and add a quart when it hits 5.

[larryb]

For me it does not seem consistent. I can see 6.5 at 24 hours after one flight and then see 7.0 24 hours after the next flight. I've learned not to obsess over it. If it's below 6 I add a qt for a regular flight. If it's a 4 hour flight then I may add a qt if I am at 6.5.

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[jetdriven]

Multi grade oils show a valid oil level after 30 minutes since most of the oil has run back into the sump by then. In my experience it shows a half quart less than if it has been sitting 3 days. Straight weight oils show more like a 3/4 to one quart low 30 minutes after shutdown. In either regard, KMYf has it right. If you see 5 on the stick and its hot, go fly. Cold I like to see 5.5 to 6

[Piloto]

Depending on the ambient temperature it may take a week to settle down. It takes longer in cold weather. I found oil consumption to be higher at higher RPM.

José

[Bob - S50]

And longer if you use Camguard.

 

Bob

[Oldguy]

With oil now having good sealing screw tops, I will add a half quart at a time when it shows below 6 qts. during pre-flight - usually every 3-4 hours flight time. For a 3 hour or longer flight I might add a full quart.

 

John

[Releew]

6 Quarts in my plane is MAX level...... Will not hold ANY more than that. Usually takes 24 hours to get a good reading after putting it up hot.  I have noticed the "Older the Oil" the higher the burn rate.  

 

Rick

[Seth]

6 Quarts in my plane is MAX level...... Will not hold ANY more than that. Usually takes 24 hours to get a good reading after putting it up hot. I have noticed the "Older the Oil" the higher the burn rate.

Rick

Rick-

I agree, even though I have been told this is not the case, I too notice that the longer you get into the oil cycle, the oil burns at a faster rate. As you get up in hours between the oil change, you'll first add a quart at 15 or so hours, then at 27-30, then at 35, etc. I change every 25-35 depending on many conditions.

-Seth

[amillet]

Do you check oil level with dipstick screwed in or out in IO360?

[carusoam]

Expect the procedure to say screwed all the way in.

There are a couple variations of not putting the dipstick in the right way. At least you know the proper starting position if it is screwed in tight...

Of course there is some variation that the rotation causes.

Realistically, it's not that sensitive of a measurement unless you are operating at minimum allowable oil levels. Then learn and memorize the proper technique.

Many people put in 7 quarts to find out the last quart gets blown overboard....

6 quarts works pretty good unless the heat exchanger is not cooling the oil good enough.

Why don't people use 6 1/4 quarts...?

Oil is sold in quart bottles and often gets used by the whole package.

Some people allow the level to dip below the 6 line and then fill it with a whole quart...

My thoughts,

-a-

[Lood]

I've never been able to run my F until the oil level stabilizes. Simple reason, as soon as the oil level drops to between 5 and 6 on the dipstick, my engine tells me that it is not happy. Oil temp and average engine CHT temps will increase, oil pressure will drop to 62/63 psi, instead of the normal rock steady 68 psi and my oil pressure will start to fluctuate somewhat.

Looking at the belly, my engine certainly blows oil out, but looking at all the "negative" signs, I'm not willing to keep running it to determine where the oil level will eventually stabilize. When filled up to the 7 mark, it will run approximately 6 - 8 hours to get below 6.

What bothers me more, is the fact that my rpm will start playing tricks when the oil level gets low, but I'll make that a thread on it's own.

[carusoam]

Same oil controls rpm via the gear pump in the governor...

-a-

[kmyfm20s]

Rick-

I agree, even though I have been told this is not the case, I too notice that the longer you get into the oil cycle, the oil burns at a faster rate. As you get up in hours between the oil change, you'll first add a quart at 15 or so hours, then at 27-30, then at 35, etc. I change every 25-35 depending on many conditions.

-Seth

I used to believe it burned more oil with hours on the oil. I found that after I change the oil and fill to the level that I run it at it is consistent. I mentioned above but when I had my J I would put in 7 quarts at the oil change. This would give me 6 on the dip stick and I would add a quart when it hit 5. I knew everything above 6 on the stick was unnecessary so why put it in. When people put in 8 quarts and add at 5 they really used 2 quarts but only added 1 giving the impression only 1 was burned. I also do oil analysis on my oil, this is another reason I like to start and finish with the same amount of oil to get consistent results. I don't want to concentrate the elements by starting with 8 quarts and sampling at 5.