I am seeing a decrease in engine oil pressure!    About to stop flying and start tearing the engine down. 

 

More information:

 

RX8 Renesis 4 port in RV-7A. 670 total hours in flight.  I fly at least 4 times a week.  Mostly very short flights - 8 to 10 minutes each way to play tennis.  I use Mobil 1 oil (15 - 50 W).  I change oil at 50 hours.  Check oil filter media for particles each time.  Burn regular mogas with ethanol and add 0.6 oz/gal oil ( 2 stroke outboard and marvel mixed ). 

 

Over the past 100 hours my oil pressure has slowly decreased from 80 psi to as low as 72 psi in cruse.  Oil temps are about 180 deg. F.  Idle oil pressure is 50 - 53 psi at 1500 engine rpm when I land. 

 

When I inspect the oil filter media I find only a very few shinny particles on the oil filter media and have not seen an increase in number. I have to look win direct sunlight to see them.

 

Is there anything I should be looking at - oil pump, oil pressure regulator - ???

 

I'm contemplating taking off the oil pan this weekend.  My oil and water radiators are mounted under the engine so this will take some time and be messy!

 

Thanks for any and all info. 

 

Dennis Haverlah