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Author Topic: FAQ: Throwing oil - Oil leakage, consumption, streaks on wings  (Read 17871 times)

Monty Fowler

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While perusing some of the 9 bazillion Ameilia photos on the Purdue website (someday I am going to actually start my Lockheed 10E model) I came across one from Lae that shows something that, to me, is quite interesting.

Shot over the rear stabilizer on the left side, facing forward, it shows Fred and Amelia at the open door of the Electra, with a small child at the trailing edge of the wing - and what looks like a great deal of oil trailing back from the left engine cowling. So a question to you R-1340 Wasp engine geeks - did they usually throw a lot of oil back like that, or was this just the accumulation of more than 20,000 miles of hard flying?

Ex-TIGHAR member No. 2189 E C R SP, 1998-2016
 
« Last Edit: July 16, 2012, 01:49:03 PM by J. Nevill »
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Ted G Campbell

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Re: Throwing oil
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2010, 06:24:34 PM »

Regarding the leak noted in the photo:  Looks like a typical pushrod seal leak, not catastrophic but does require attention.  Fairly common leak and requiring a common “in field” repair.

I wouldn’t put to much value in the photo because we don’t know the history e.g. was this on the last leg before the photo was taken, was it between a number of stops where repair wasn’t possible, etc.  We simply can’t tell over what period of time the photo records.

Finally, keep in mind that a teaspoon of oil from one of these radials can look like you’ve lost a full tank!  Been there done that!

Ted Campbell
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pilotart

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Re: Throwing oil
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2010, 11:58:23 PM »

To put it further in perspective; a 600 HP P&W Radial of that era probably had an Oil Tank of Ten Gallons (@ $1 a gal) or more and as Ted pointed out, a relatively small amount of oil spread around by the airflow will look like a lot more than it is.

Today's 600 HP P&W (turboprop) will have an 8 to 10 Quart (@ $10 a Qt), but it will still likely throw oil (part of P&W's long standing corrosion prevention program) like one quart every 40 hours or so.  Following a long flight, this can Look like a Lot of Oil. :)

Art
Art Johnson
 
« Last Edit: July 16, 2012, 01:44:19 PM by J. Nevill »
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Ricker H Jones

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Re: Throwing oil
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2010, 10:04:02 AM »

There is also a streak from the forward fuselage fuel tank hatch.  Would that indicate it had been siphoning fuel?
Rick J
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pilotart

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Re: Throwing oil
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2010, 07:34:58 PM »

Propeller Control is one of the more likely sources of oil seepage.

The pitch angle of the blades is changed by an (engine) oil driven piston in the hub, the control has a pump to increase engine oil pressure to a level necessary to drive this piston.

This increase in oil pressure increases likelihood for this location, but a Radial Aircraft Engine does have a great many sources for possible seepages in comparison with almost any other type of engine.
Art Johnson
 
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pilotart

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Re: Throwing oil
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2010, 12:34:57 AM »

Should be an oil tank behind each engine and unlikely for the tank to leak, unless the cap were left off.
Art Johnson
 
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