My Lycoming O-360 has been sitting for a year while the airplane has undergone a complete panel and electrical system upgrade. Soon I?ll be starting the engine, and I have concerns about scuffing the cam lobes while waiting for oil to make its way to the top of the engine. I?ve always been told that this startup wear, particularly on what is probably a very dry cam, is responsible for a tremendious amount of overall engine wear.
In trying to come up with a way to mitigate the problem, my friend wondered out loud why I couldn?t just fill the case to the top with oil (through the breather), submerging the cam. Then drain it all out, pull the engine through by hand to insure no hydro lock issues, refill the case to the normal level and start?r up.
It sounded kind of crazy at first, but after giving it some thought, I can?t see why it wouldn?t work. I figure I must be missing something, and thought I?d run it by you guys. What do you think?
If you think its a good idea, I wonder how many gallons of oil it would take to make it to the top. Also, couldn?t you use cheaper automotive oil, since it?s going to be drained out anyway?
Thanks in advance for your input!
In trying to come up with a way to mitigate the problem, my friend wondered out loud why I couldn?t just fill the case to the top with oil (through the breather), submerging the cam. Then drain it all out, pull the engine through by hand to insure no hydro lock issues, refill the case to the normal level and start?r up.
It sounded kind of crazy at first, but after giving it some thought, I can?t see why it wouldn?t work. I figure I must be missing something, and thought I?d run it by you guys. What do you think?
If you think its a good idea, I wonder how many gallons of oil it would take to make it to the top. Also, couldn?t you use cheaper automotive oil, since it?s going to be drained out anyway?
Thanks in advance for your input!