Mi Vida Loca wrote: > > >ONE, just ONE of the by-products of combustion is H2S04... especially > >when an engine is used in 'stop and go' service. > >Like short trips around the pattern or flying down the road a piece and > >back home. > >Fleet service is just the opposite of such. > >What is H2S04? > >It is created from moisture (water) and sulfur compounds combine from > >burning fossil fuel. > > >Modern oils, synthetic and otherwise contain NEUTRALIZERS, anti-foamers, > >anti-oxidizers and all kinds of CHEMICAL wizardry that would make a full > >blown Ph.D. chemist blush here. > > Bob, > Not sure what your point here was since this applies just as much to automobile engines as to aircraft engines. In fact I should think automotive engines tend to do far more operations in which the engine does not come up to, and maintain operating temp than do aircraft engines. >
You be right. Automotive service is more severe than aircraft service in many ways. However, air cooled engines are still a world of their own. I touched on this one common aspect as only one very important example of both worlds that we might all relate to. > Synthetics are not a panacea but they are far from the evil they are portrayed to be. The only real advantages I can think of is, if your oil temp goes over redline unlike regular oils which begin to break down rapidly at over 225 degrees the synthetic does not suffer this same problem. It also does not carbonize around the valve stem a cause of a high percentage of the stuck valves these little engines are famous for. > There are no EVIL synthetics. PERIOD. Synthetics are not born bad. Only evil/abusive applications. <g> If your engine temp is over 225, LAND IMMEDIATELY, if not sooner!!!! Something is very wrong.... YOU ARE ABUSING THE ENGINE regardless of oil type in the crankcase and it's ability to survive the abuse. The engine may not! The carbonizing around the valves is said to be due do to poor oil flow/engineering by Lycosaurus, but that is another whole story. The only PRACTICAL process ( I hate to say REMEDY) so far... is CHANGING OIL RELIGIOUSLY, use of the FAA approved additive for H2AD engines or Aeroshell synthetic blend (which has the additive in it). This, of course, is just local hangar talk/advice, but is gaining wide acceptance with many mechanics with a measure of savvy that I LISTEN to. Most of what I read lately in the automotive world, seems to indicate that BLENDS offer the best of BOTH oil worlds at MODEST COST.... The blend ratio being somewhat a secret with the oil companies, but a guesstimate is 4 to 1 or so. I currently use a blend myself. (My dark and dirty secret.) However, most oil change shops have yet to carry it. Kind of a DIY thing for the moment. Cost is reasonable, since I am not going to EXTEND intervals past the 7000 mile/6 mo Ford spec 101B that worked so well a zillion years ago. Call me conservative, if you will. <g> For a change of pace, here's the philosophy of an old friend..... Never change oil. Trade vehicles every two years. > We all have to make a choice with what makes sense to us and what we have had success with. In the end it's your ass in that aircraft. The FAA in it's infinite wisdom has not done much to improve safety in aviation, if you doubt this then just look at their latest shining example of technology. The new computers for ATC. If you are not aware they are spec'ed out as 486's,,, Now let's see,,, one reason for replacing the old system is a lack of replacement parts, so to fix that part of the problem we'll bui d and install a new system based on obsolete technology. Aren't you glad your life doesn't depend on someone with this mentality,,,,,, or does it? We have covered this FAA ground before, sad to say. <g> They ain't goin' away no time soon and the insurance companies take up where they leave off, eh? More than oils, I'd love to see a modern aviation ignition system happen. Put yourself in the place of the manufacturers and tractor magnetos will be with us in the next millennium too. (1 more year... or is it 2?) If your into homebuilts, there are choices right now. But this is beyond the scope for us Ercoupe drivers. Bob Urban - RV-3 builder and Ercoupe driver
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