Winter brings special challenges for general aviation aircraft owners, so our oil expert offers more tips on how to winterize your airplane, as well as what guidelines to follow for winter oil changes.
Do multigrade oils increase valve sticking in piston airplane engines?
Recently an engine rebuilder called with a question I had not heard before. He asked if multigrade oils would increase the possibility of valve sticking in piston aircraft engines. My first response was “why would you think that?” Then I started to think through the mechanics of the problem.
Modern engines for a modern world
One of the reasons that GA has not grown is that flying today’s aircraft scares the hell out of young people.
What causes exhaust valve recession in an engine?
There are several theories, but the one that makes the most sense to me is that the lead in avgas helps sealing and improves thermal heat transfer.
How the search for unleaded avgas is like two elephants mating
Whenever a new problem or crisis arises in general aviation, it reminds me of two elephants mating. The first step is total panic, followed by complete chaos with trees uprooted, huge dust storms, and everything flying everywhere. And when the dust finally settles, nothing happens for years.
Tips to get your aircraft engine to full TBO
Ben Visser, General Aviation News’s aviation fuels and lubricants expert, offers his top tips to get your aircraft engine to full Time Between Overhauls (TBO).
What is fueling high gas prices?
Even with the lead out, the price and competition in the avgas market will probably not change much.
How often should you change your airplane’s oil?
The mechanic listed an oil change as part of the inspection, even though the aircraft had been flown just 12 hours in the last 12 months. The owner insisted it did not need an oil change since the manufacturer recommends an oil change only every 50 hours. He completely disregarded the other part of the manufacturer’s recommendation: “Every 50 hours or four months, whichever occurs first.”
Protecting the exhaust valves on aircraft
With all the news about the development of unleaded avgas, some pilots may be concerned about the potential of exhaust valve recession when unleaded fuels are used in their aircraft engines.
What’s in a word?
When unleaded aviation fuel is finally available, how will that impact the oil in your airplane’s engine? Will it mean fewer oil changes?
Cold weather and your aircraft’s engine oil
If you are breaking in a new or rebuilt engine on mineral oil during the coldest part of the year, you should change your pre-heating criteria to account for the differences in viscosity.
Multigrade vs. single grade oil: Which is best for your airplane?
It’s the most often-asked question for our expert: What oil should I use in my airplane. Is a multigrade oil better? What about a single grade oil? And will switching between the two harm my engine?