REFLECTOR: OIL/AIR SEPARATOR....

[Mark Magee]

Hi Vance,
Have you ever sent that collected oil away for analysis? I'd be curious as to what spectrographic analysis shows. 
I have always used air-oil separators with a return line and understood it was OK with Lycoming and Continental, and even an OEM setup on some certificated birds. 

Mark B. Magee
N34XL
Sent from IPhone 4

On Jul 15, 2012, at 7:48 AM, vance atkinson <nostromo56 at tx.rr.com> wrote:

>> 
>>> I was also concerned about returning the oil to the crankcase as it is contaminated with bad stuff. Acids, raw fuel, etc...
>>> 
>>> Scott
>> 
>> I agree with Scott.  Block off the return line and fly for a few hours and then examine the collected oil... really nasty stuff.
>> 
>> Sid
> 
> You should never return the oil from an oil separator to the crankcase !  Its the most vile, disgusting collection of gunk Ive seen come out of an engine...
> 
> If you don't believe me, capture some in a small one pint bottle ( like I did in the inclosed pic...upper left corner) and take a whiff of that stuff... awful !
> 
> You can vent the line that comes from the "collection side" of the oil separator to the outside of the cowl, but that will leave a nice looking oil streak on the cowl.
> 
> Better to capture it like I did, that way you can see how much oil is being separated out.  Mine is about two feet down from the separator using a rubber hose stuck in a Revlon polypropylene bottle.  Simple got the bottle from my wife.  I usually empty the bottle every 4 to 6 months.
> 
> Vance Atkinson
> EAA Tech and Flt Advisor
> COZY  N43CZ
> VEZ N3LV
> 
> <used oil collector.jpg>
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