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There was a recent discussion on the LML about oil
temps.
Today, while in my car, I noticed
that the normal oil temp range is 200 to 250, the gauge goes as high as
300 - my engine was running with an oil temp of about 225. (I use a
multigrade synthetic oil in my car.) This made me wonder why the normal
oil temp range in airplane engines top limit is 240.
- Is this top limit of 240 based on engine issues or
on oil issues?
- If the cylinder head temperatures are normal, does
having an oil temp above 240 hurt the engine?
- Does having an oil temp above 240 cause the oil to
break down or lose some of its properties?
- Was this limit set at a time when oils
were formulated differently than today?
- What harm is there in exceeding an oil temp of 240
for a short period of time?
- What about a long period of time?
I am not planning to set up my engine and baffling
so that I routinely exceed 240, but have had the experience in my current plane
(Mooney Ovation) of exceeding 240 while idling on the ground in hot
weather. Just wondered how much of a problem this really is
Doug Brunner
N241DB
90% complete - 25% to go
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