ASCI 202 Blog 3-2: Aircraft Systems and Flight- Oil

Word Count: 438

Oil is an extremely important component to mechanical engines, including those used in propeller driven general aviation. The oil is used for lubrication and cooling of the engine. For lubrication, oil is routed through a series of tubes and channels and coats the rockers, rods, cylinder walls, and other locations. Without this lubrication, components of the engine will have increased friction from metal on metal sliding which will rapidly increase temperature and cause catastrophic damage. The other part that oil plays internally is cooling. The oil is pumped from the sump, which looks like a pan bolted to the bottom end of the motor, to a the oil cooler if needed. The oil cooler works like a radiator and allows outside air to cool the oil as it passes though tiny tubes. This cooled oil is then sent through a filter into the engine to lubricate parts, as specified prior, and absorb some of the heat transfer from the engine itself (AOPA, 2014). This process is repeated to maintain lubrication and cooling during flight. 

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Pilots and maintainers should be on the lookout for some indicators that this system is malfunctioning. A few of these indicators could include; oil dripping in the parking spot, abnormal or high temperatures during normal flight, sluggish or shaking during steady flight, type of oil used, and monitor the oil pressure, level, and oil instruments themselves. 

Oil dripping in the parking spot indicates a leak and a loss of necessary oil to operate. Visually examining the oil system and sometimes using special dyes or UV lights can help locate the broken piece. An increase in engine temperature and oil temperature during flight could be a failure of any component of the system such as a faulty pump not moving the oil around, broken lines leaking oil, plugged oil cooler not cooling properly, low oil, improper oil, and/or improper preflight check. Knowing the aircraft itself may be a learned skill over time but over filling or under filling the sump could lead to a shaking or sluggish feeling and sometimes increased noise caused by low lubrication or too much lubrication causing an impedance in internal mechanical movements. 

If the oil system is not checked, filtered, maintained, and monitored regularly, the aircraft and people on board could suffer grave damage. Increase heat from lack or flow or lubrication causes warping and sometimes the heat escapes in the form of an explosion. The motor can be unsalvageable and thrust the aircraft into emergency status. Log books and pre and post flight checks are a necessity to a well maintained oil system.

Luke

References

AOPA. (April 28, 2014). Question of the week: Oil systems. Retrieved on July 20, 2021 from https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2014/april/28/question-may-2

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