Low oil pressure (?)
in 912 / 914 Technical Questions
8 years ago
Recently purchased a plane with a 912ULS built in 2008. Currently has 750 hours. I've found that when climbing at full throttle the oil pressure drops to around 14-16psi. I've rechecked this with a new VDO sender and a different gauge with identical results. Next I hooked up an old fashioned mechanical, non-electric, "steam" gauge which is supposedly the "gold standard" for testing. This device showed 38-40psi on a take off roll though I stayed on the ground for this. Start-up pressure was 70 gradually dropping to 55-60 at idle. Though this gauge indicates a pressure within limits prescribed by the manual I continue to be concerned by the considerable pressure drop at high RPM's. I have taken apart the oil reservoir and found a very thin film of sludgy material at the very bottom but it was otherwise clean as the proverbial whistle. I've also changed the oil and filter using Aeroshell Sport 4 oil which it has been using previously.
I'll appreciate anyone's thoughts on any of the following:
1. Does anyone else see similar pressure readings?
2. What do others see for normal cruise and/or climb pressures?
3. What might cause the electric gauges to show such drastically low numbers?
4. Possibility of a partially collapsing feeder hose from tank to oil pump?
5. Failing oil pump?
Thanks for any input anyone might be able to offer.
Bob
I'll appreciate anyone's thoughts on any of the following:
1. Does anyone else see similar pressure readings?
2. What do others see for normal cruise and/or climb pressures?
3. What might cause the electric gauges to show such drastically low numbers?
4. Possibility of a partially collapsing feeder hose from tank to oil pump?
5. Failing oil pump?
Thanks for any input anyone might be able to offer.
Bob
