BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 11 Dec 2017, 13:08

I know this is a beechcraft forum, but there is a lot of experience in the general plane category here and maybe someone has an idea.

Our other plane is a the Ercoupe 415c with a Continental C85 and I just cannot get the oil temp past 145-150 DEG F with the OAT at or below freezing and it is blowing sludge out the vent tube and rusting the oil cap. I covered up the lower air intake 100 % and it helped, but only 5 Degrees, maybe.

I am looking at purchasing the Oil tank/Intake tube covers from Wag-Aero
https://www.wagaero.com/oil-tank-cover-kit-4-5-qt.html
But dont think this will help much more.

I have posted this on the Ercoupe tech forum but those are the only two suggestions (besides dont fly when its cold) .

Any other tricks you may have used or seen on cubs or other small airplanes without oil coolers that worked keeping the temp up?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 11 Dec 2017, 13:27

Username Protected wrote:

I know this is a beechcraft forum, but there is a lot of experience in the general plane category here and maybe someone has an idea.

Our other plane is a the Ercoupe 415c with a Continental C85 and I just cannot get the oil temp past 145-150 DEG F with the OAT at or below freezing and it is blowing sludge out the vent tube and rusting the oil cap. I covered up the lower air intake 100 % and it helped, but only 5 Degrees, maybe.

I am looking at purchasing the Oil tank/Intake tube covers from Wag-Aero
https://www.wagaero.com/oil-tank-cover-kit-4-5-qt.html
But dont think this will help much more.

I have posted this on the Ercoupe tech forum but those are the only two suggestions (besides dont fly when its cold) .

Any other tricks you may have used or seen on cubs or other small airplanes without oil coolers that worked keeping the temp up?

Does it have an oil cooler?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 11 Dec 2017, 13:43

Username Protected wrote:

I know this is a beechcraft forum, but there is a lot of experience in the general plane category here and maybe someone has an idea.

Our other plane is a the Ercoupe 415c with a Continental C85 and I just cannot get the oil temp past 145-150 DEG F with the OAT at or below freezing and it is blowing sludge out the vent tube and rusting the oil cap. I covered up the lower air intake 100 % and it helped, but only 5 Degrees, maybe.

I am looking at purchasing the Oil tank/Intake tube covers from Wag-Aero
https://www.wagaero.com/oil-tank-cover-kit-4-5-qt.html
But dont think this will help much more.

I have posted this on the Ercoupe tech forum but those are the only two suggestions (besides dont fly when its cold) .

Any other tricks you may have used or seen on cubs or other small airplanes without oil coolers that worked keeping the temp up?

Does it have an oil cooler?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 11 Dec 2017, 13:56

Username Protected wrote:

I know this is a beechcraft forum, but there is a lot of experience in the general plane category here and maybe someone has an idea.

Our other plane is a the Ercoupe 415c with a Continental C85 and I just cannot get the oil temp past 145-150 DEG F with the OAT at or below freezing and it is blowing sludge out the vent tube and rusting the oil cap. I covered up the lower air intake 100 % and it helped, but only 5 Degrees, maybe.

I am looking at purchasing the Oil tank/Intake tube covers from Wag-Aero
https://www.wagaero.com/oil-tank-cover-kit-4-5-qt.html
But dont think this will help much more.

I have posted this on the Ercoupe tech forum but those are the only two suggestions (besides dont fly when its cold) .

Any other tricks you may have used or seen on cubs or other small airplanes without oil coolers that worked keeping the temp up?

On the L-4 here we have a cover that goes over the hole below the prop that exposes the crankcase.
We also have the standoff cover over the carb inlet.
Our standard procedure here with everything is to open the oil cap 1st thing after exiting the the A/C. Lets some moisture leave the oil tank of the C-85. Warm moist air will rise and condense. Causing the rust and also then drip into the oil combining with the sludge. Letting it out while some warmth is in the engine will help a bit.
I knew a guy who would put a vacuum device on the breather when he put it away in the hangar. Small wet/dry vacuum into a 5 gal bucket with a lid and then a hose from the bucket to the breather hose.
The snot coming out the breather is good. Better out than in.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 11 Dec 2017, 14:34

Good ideas Rich,
I cannot believe that I dont open up the oil cap on the little Ercoupe after flying, this is something I always do in my bonanza, but didn't even think about it on the little C85. :oops:

Univair sells a blocking plate (I currently have it duct taped) for the lower air intake hole and I will insulate the tank but I am curious about "standoff cover over the carb inlet " you were referring to, can you explain in more detail?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 11 Dec 2017, 20:19

The J-3 uses it when it’s too cold to take any throttle.
As I age I have found a good remedy to cold oil, don’t fly.
Still haven’t rigged my skis, I hate being cold.
Dave

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Dec 2017, 00:59

On the 120/140’s besides the blocking covers there was a blanket to wrap around the sump as part of the winterization kit. Not sure if Ercoupe has something similar?

Jeff

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Dec 2017, 11:21

Username Protected wrote:

On the 120/140’s besides the blocking covers there was a blanket to wrap around the sump as part of the winterization kit. Not sure if Ercoupe has something similar?

Jeff

It is engine specific so I have one on order, it includes wraps for the intake tubes also.

Low Oil Temp on C85