Oil VS temperature

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astaib
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Oil VS temperature

Post by astaib »

Hello,

I have a question because I usually use Aeroshell 15W50 all the year, but this year I was forced to make my 50h visit in Portugal (outside my country) and they only had Total XPD 100 oil.
I'm very OK with this oil, but now that fall and lately winter is coming, I would like to have your advise on using this oil by colder outside temperature.
I have no possibility to warm-up my engine prior startup and my plane is sleeping in a non-warmed hangar.

Last week-end I had to start my engine by a cold temperature (approx 5 degres celcius) and I had to taxi after only 3 to 4 minutes (before fog was rising).

Do you think that it harmed my engine to use this oil till my next visit in february approx?

Thank you very much.

Arnaud.
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Rich
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Re: Oil VS temperature

Post by Rich »

You'll probably get all kinds of opinions on this. The challenge is that the thicker oil will take a bit longer to get to all the moving parts on starting. Plus at rally cold temps, harder cranking. FWIW, here's the information from the Lycoming operations manual for all 360 variants:
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Lou
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Re: Oil VS temperature

Post by Lou »

As I understand it, 15w50 means the oil behaves like a 15 when it is cold, and 50 when it is hot. 100W oil is for hot countries, not 5C. I would definitely change.
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