AIRWOLF AIR/OIL SEPERATOR REMOVAL

[M20R]

I just had two GI 275s installed. I wanted the installer to remove the vacuum system, but when they discovered that an Airwolf system had been installed, they said they could not remove the vacuum system because the Airwolf system uses pressure from the vacuum pump.

So to remove the vacuum system I need to remove the Airwolf system unless there is another idea. Does Airwolf make a system that doesn't use pressure from the vacuum pump?

[A64Pilot]

According to this there is a way to keep your separator without having to have a Vacuum pump, but I’ve not done it myself.

Paragraph 3 where it says on all electric aircraft they rob hot air off of the cylinders, they don’t get specific though, I’d give them a call

http://www.airwolf.com/aw/products/air-oil-separators/product-information

‘The Airwolf is I believe a copy of the Walker separator and is a very good one, so I would want to keep it myself

I made my own, copied the M20 design, seemed to work just fine, I had a wet vacuum pump and needed one.

[GeeBee]

Personally, I would ditch the vacuum pump and the Air Wolf unit. Never seen anything good out of an engine eating it's own by products, especially as dirty as aviation engines run. I know of several people who had them and removed them.

 

 

[hypertech]

I removed my vaccuum and still have the airwolf.  It was a kit - might have been like a little air scoop it hooked up to instead of the vaccuum line.  The shop that did the install of the G5s/GFC500 that included removing the vacuum systems took care of it.  I've noticed no changes in operations.

[Bartman]

I deleted my air/oil separator when we installed my rebuilt engine.  Just for giggles I poured mineral spirits into it, let it sit, shook it up and then poured it out into a clean pan. Did that several times.  That was an eye opener !
 

Never would I recommend one of these. 

[A64Pilot]

I know a Walker can be disassembled and cleaned every so often, As the Airwolf is a Walker I assume it can be too, it’s not hard.

You don’t have to drain the oil back to the engine, you can simply drain the separator before or after a flight, if you forget it will fill up and any more after it’s full just goes overboard like there is no separator, or fit a catch can and drain it.

I like separators, they keep the belly clean, I used to make my own, but don’t have the facilities anymore.

If I ever build an experimental I’d plumb the blow by into the exhaust, done right it would pull a slight vacuum, couldn’t freeze of course and ought not get onto the belly as the exhaust heat ought to vaporize the oil mist. I know we can’t, but I think it would be a good idea.

Since forever Auto’s plumb the crankcase gasses into the intake, I assume aircraft don’t because in the unlikely event you broke compression rings etc that could dump an excess of oil into the suck side of the engine, but a slight crankcase vacuum helps prevent leaks and does other good things like help ring seal and help prevent ring flutter.

 

[keithmiller]

On 6/14/2023 at 6:15 PM, M20R said:

I just had two GI 275s installed. I wanted the installer to remove the vacuum system, but when they discovered that an Airwolf system had been installed, they said they could not remove the vacuum system because the Airwolf system uses pressure from the vacuum pump.

So to remove the vacuum system I need to remove the Airwolf system unless there is another idea. Does Airwolf make a system that doesn't use pressure from the vacuum pump?

I have a 2009 with the wolf and no vacuum pump so it must be fed another way 

[hypertech]

They called it a baffle kit.  Take a look at page 7.  Basically instead of where it hooked up to vacuum exhaust, now it hooks up to pressurized ram air.

http://www.airwolf.com/aw/application/files/9616/1849/7660/AFC-W360_Rev_D_Dated_5-12-2020_Signed.pdf

[hypertech]

Was at the airport today. Here’s a photo. It’s just a fitting for ram air now. It’s the blue fitting. 

[LANCECASPER]

On 6/16/2023 at 6:32 PM, A64Pilot said:

If I ever build an experimental I’d plumb the blow by into the exhaust, done right it would pull a slight vacuum, couldn’t freeze of course and ought not get onto the belly as the exhaust heat ought to vaporize the oil mist. I know we can’t, but I think it would be a good idea.

Mooney had this on the Acclaim, but Service Bulletin M20-319 revised it.

https://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/SBM20-319.pdf

I don't think the design was bad but I think the Tygon tubes should be cleaned or replaced more often than what people were doing them. When I got my airplane I cleaned the tubes right away. They weren't completely clogged, but restricted. At the first opportunity replaced them since they were hardened and brittle. I have the revised tailpipe on the shelf but haven't chosen to do this Service Bulletin yet. I think the original is a better design, provided that the hoses are kept unrestricted.

[A64Pilot]

I’d still do it, but having read this SB I’d inspect for coking and blockage at every oil change.

Coking can only occur of course with very high temperatures and that’s at the exhaust pipe.

I think if I had an Acclaim I would leave the vent as is and inspect it at oil change.

Rarely there are SB’s that you don’t want to comply with