Question More "New Owner" Questions

[lrobichaux]

I very much appreciate all of the past replies to my questions. Couple of additional questions from a new owner.

Oil Change: Neal, you've mentioned in a few videos that 35 hours between oil changes is typical. Lycoming manual says 50 hours. I recall reading something somewhere that Savvy recommends 50 hours or every 4 months. Their main concern is having used oil sit in the engine too long and promote corrosion. What's everyone doing? Is the benefit from more frequent 35 hour changes worth the $$ and trouble? Also, do you also clean and inspect oil suction screen at every oil change like the Lycoming manual recommends?

Jump Start Battery: Do you carry one? If yes, do you only carry one on longer XC / backcountry flights, or all the time?

 

[Tsquared]

I change the oil on my FX3 every 30 hours and send a sample in to Black-Stone. I’m also flying it 100-120 hrs per year.

I carry a jump battery all the time. Two when it gets really cold (MN cold, not TX cold). That said I stop flying when the air temp is below 5F. The plane can handle it, but your SOL if you have to set it down in the middle of nowhere and the temps are below zero.

 

[lrobichaux]

I change the oil on my FX3 every 30 hours and send a sample in to Black-Stone. I’m also flying it 100-120 hrs per year.

I carry a jump battery all the time. Two when it gets really cold (MN cold, not TX cold). That said I stop flying when the air temp is below 5F. The plane can handle it, but your SOL if you have to set it down in the middle of nowhere and the temps are below zero.

Thx for the input!

 

[Neal]

I target 25 hours for my interval, I'm right about 20 now and the oil still looks like new so I'll weigh that in the equation as well. If I'm on a cross-country and away from home then I'll extend it but top end target is 35. As the saying goes "the cheapest thing you can put into your plane is oil." Lycoming also has a time frame if I recall of not going longer than 4 months. I have gone longer, I think my last cycle was 6 months but I was actively flying. But my goal is 25 hours / 4 months. I stock up on oil, just got two more cases with my recent order from Aircraft Spruce for the spare breakers as it helps get it over the free shipping threshold I keep a spare quart with me in the plane. As mentioned above, order the oil sample kits from Blackstone Labs and I always send in the sample.

Yes, I carry my NOCO GB40 with me at all times as I have the TacAero tacnets (heinously expensive) and the molly bags so I have a good storage system that doesn't take up much space.

I checked TacAero for the tacnets, looks like a different design. I like the old design better which I have.

Aircraft Accessories

Aviation, Aviation Accessories, Aircraft upgrades, Aviation Flight Gear, and Aviation Apparel.

elite.tacaero.com