ehaecker
Well-known member
Definitely will do. The more I dig into this, those are the most recent thing to be changed, and not long before I bought it. They’re definitely deserving of a quick look.
Citabria High Oil Temps
- Thread starter ehaecker
- Start date
Definitely will do. The more I dig into this, those are the most recent thing to be changed, and not long before I bought it. They’re definitely deserving of a quick look.
I don't understand this gasket. There are three ports but where gaskets will usually keep ports isolated from each other, there's no barrier between the two holes on the left. What are the different holes for?
ehaecker
Well-known member
I noticed that too. My IA said he thinks it’s the wrong gasket however it looks like the proper one per Casper Labs. I can’t find anything from them online but I did run across this video which makes it seem like the correct gasket:
the guy in the video has a spacer and an adapter and there's a gasket right at the beginning that looks more like what I'd guess you need, the one on the left.
Do you have the thick spacer that the guy in the video has? For his setup it looks like there's a gasket between the case and the spacer and then another between the spacer and the oil filter adapter. I'm guessing again but if the gasket is wrong then maybe your oil isn't all going to the cooler and some is still bypassing it causing the temp to run high?
Do you have the thick spacer that the guy in the video has? For his setup it looks like there's a gasket between the case and the spacer and then another between the spacer and the oil filter adapter. I'm guessing again but if the gasket is wrong then maybe your oil isn't all going to the cooler and some is still bypassing it causing the temp to run high?
ehaecker
Well-known member
I do not have the spacer. His spacer has the same ports as the face of the case, so I assume the gasket from the spacer to the housing for him is the same as the gasket from the case to the housing on mine. Honestly its been a big guess at this point. I can't find any info on Casper Labs online and the only paperwork I have is the STC and 337. The installation manual is nowhere to be found. If anyone has a copy of it, I'd love to see it.
ehaecker
Well-known member
I found these pictures from a Vans RV website which seems to show the gasket being correct. That is the same housing I have.
Here's their number, there's an answering machine so maybe you'll be able to speak to someone tomorrow......good luck!
561 575 3157
I feel for you, the Airwolf remote adapter that was on my Citabria was causing problems which all went away after I had a B&C installed.
561 575 3157
I feel for you, the Airwolf remote adapter that was on my Citabria was causing problems which all went away after I had a B&C installed.
ehaecker
Well-known member
Thanks for the number! I literally can’t find their info online. I’ll give them a call. Other options would be to swap out to the B&C unit. I hate to keep just replacing parts in the blind though…
Hiperbiper
Well-known member
Some lycoming accessory cases require the use of an adapter plate if I remember correctly. But those are the O-235 and O290 motors.
The gasket should be a stock filter screen gasket with 3 distinct holes. At least that's what I've always used.
Chris
The gasket should be a stock filter screen gasket with 3 distinct holes. At least that's what I've always used.
Chris
ehaecker
Well-known member
I talked to Casper Labs today and they were super helpful. He reassured me that the vernatherm location and gasket are 100% correct, as someone stated earlier. So I can remove that variable.
I went for another test flight today and I am more and more thinking that everything is operating correctly. The oil temp steadily climbed to 200-210° and stayed there. Decided to climb up and bit and do some acro for a few minutes. Highest temp I saw was 215° which came back down to 200-210° once getting back to a cruise setting. Flew over an hour and It stayed there the whole time. Prior to changing the vernatherm, it would have easily gotten over 230° with todays ambient temperature of 82° at takeoff.
I suppose it might still be worth checking the oil lines at some point, but at least the airplane is flyable now. Time to enjoy some nice weather.
I went for another test flight today and I am more and more thinking that everything is operating correctly. The oil temp steadily climbed to 200-210° and stayed there. Decided to climb up and bit and do some acro for a few minutes. Highest temp I saw was 215° which came back down to 200-210° once getting back to a cruise setting. Flew over an hour and It stayed there the whole time. Prior to changing the vernatherm, it would have easily gotten over 230° with todays ambient temperature of 82° at takeoff.
I suppose it might still be worth checking the oil lines at some point, but at least the airplane is flyable now. Time to enjoy some nice weather.
I might still consider flushing your oil cooler at your next oil change, especially if the logs indicate it has not been serviced or replaced in a long time. 8 bucks for a quart of mineral spirits and 30 minutes of extra work is cheap reassurance.
ehaecker
Well-known member
Oh I guess I didn’t mention it, the cooler is new as of Saturday. New cooler and new vernatherm. Probably worth pulling off the oil lines and flushing those at some point.
Nice! Where did you get the cooler?
ehaecker
Well-known member
It came from Pacific Coolers. Sadly, it was a bit of a waste of money. The cooler itself is great, but wasn't the source of the problem.
I met my IA on Saturday for some trouble shooting. We changed the cooler first, went for a test flight and was EASILY able to get the temperature up to 230-235° in a short time (90°F ambient). Decided to change the vernatherm next, which resulted in the temperature coming down to 200-210° and staying relatively steady (85° ambient at this point). I didn't fly it very long as it was getting late in the day. My flight yesterday yielded the same 200-210° results for over an hour, so it seems the vernatherm was the culprit.
One AWESOME improvement we made was a dynamic prop balance. What a difference that made. It runs almost turbine smooth now. It's almost unbelievable how much of a difference it made. I HIGHLY suggest it for anyone with access to a DynaVibe.
Glad to hear it's all worked out and acting normally again. I still can't believe that gasket is correct. Is it that even when the vernatherm isn't blocking oil to the cooler, not all of it is going to the cooler?
and, I'd like to point out, that this thread will be here for the next person with pictures, links and all so thanks @ehaecker for posting your problem to the forum.
and, I'd like to point out, that this thread will be here for the next person with pictures, links and all so thanks @ehaecker for posting your problem to the forum.
Hindsight is 20/20, but that is why I suggested flushing the old oil cooler first. But hey, new part, one less thing to give you problems in the future.
I was going to have my oil cooler overhauled by Pacific while I am getting the engine done. But the engine shop says to get a new one because the engine was making metal. They aren't super expensive as new aircraft parts go.
They want me to get all new hoses too; I dread seeing the price tag for that.
How much was the Dyno balance?
ehaecker
Well-known member
Hasn't billed me yet but only about an hour of labor. I'd expect <$100.
ehaecker
Well-known member
Glad to hear it's all worked out and acting normally again. I still can't believe that gasket is correct. Is it that even when the vernatherm isn't blocking oil to the cooler, not all of it is going to the cooler?
and, I'd like to point out, that this thread will be here for the next person with pictures, links and all so thanks @ehaecker for posting your problem to the forum.
Yea the gasket is specific to the Casper housing. He assured me it's correct. The vernatherm should operate as normal as long as it's making a proper seat on that port.
I'm hopeful this thread can be helpful to others (any aircraft type) experiencing the same issue. I certainly learned a lot about the Lycoming oil system and accessory case.
Well shucks, that is a no brainer.