HI OIL Temp 7GCAA

[citabriaflyboy]

Installed Lycoming factory overhauled 0320-a2d engine , since then I have experienced hi oil temps during summer flights. One flight approached 250 degree hi temp. Replaced all air seals ,baffling in engine compartment and then replaced VANOTHERM valve. I am going to replace oil cooler next. With new VANOTHERM valve I see 200-220 oil temps with OAT at 80 degrees, it hasnt gotten in the 90's here yet. During winter and fall I sit at 175 to 185 degrees. Lycoming states that 180-220 is normal operating temp but I am still concerned when flying up in the mountains . Has anyone had and resolved hi oil temps ? Also what do other 7GCAA s oil temps run during the summer. Thanks Lou Sherry

 

[Tom]

Lou-

Strongly suggest you call Lycoming, they have true experts available, since it's a factory OH you must get them involved.

The O-320 is generally a rather cool running engine, I leave my oil cooler plate on thru the PA summers and only get 180-200F.

Has your cooler been flushed, have you pulled the oil sump suction screen? If the suction screen is clogged it is possible to pressurize the system and see normal oil pressure and high oil temp because of poor circulation.

Tom-

 

[howieb38]

Have you resolved the problem yet? I just went through a problem with my Super Decathlon. Purchased in early June, the oil temp would sometimes go into and above the red line. I changed the Verntherm also and the problem still existed.

I started to rap on the oil temp gauge and it would drop down to normal. It turned out to be a slightly oxidized connector on the back of the oil temp gauge. Live an learn. I'm selling my old Vernitherm on eBay.

 

[Dave Kaiser]

I have a friend that had a similar problem on his C172. He had the oil temp gauge replaced, checked the baffling and even installed a new oil cooler to no avail. However he did change the oil lines which significantly dropped his oil temp. Below is a copy of the email he sent me, hope it helps.
"I think I finally found out the source of high oil temps on my 172 when the OAT is warm. At air temps in the 70's, the oil temp ran about 150 degrees above air temp. I even had the oil cooler replaced without improvement. After reading online that the AN-6 size hose to the cooler is supposed to have a nominal I.D. of 5/16" (.3125"), I decided to replace my oil cooler hoses. They were about 9 years old anyway and some people recommend replacing them sooner than that. When I called a Stratoflex shop, they wouldn't tell me which hose I needed, but they would build whatever I asked for. So I ordered OEM from Cessna hoping to get what belonged on the plane. They were cheaper too. My old hoses measured .255" I.D. at the fittings and the new ones were .295". That doesn't seem like much, but for a circle, that's 33% more area. The new hoses dropped the temp about 20 degrees."

Dave