NZ Citabria
Registered User
Hi
I am based in New Zealand and own a well maintained Citabria 7ECA – 318 which is powered by a Rolls Royce Continental 0 200.
The engine has run approximately 500 hours since last overhaul and uses very little oil between 25 hour oil changes.
I have two issues that I hope that you may be able to give me advice on. Firstly, very occasionally – perhaps once every 20 hours and interestingly near oil change time (Especially on cold morning after the aircraft hasn’t been flown for a while) – The oil pressure does not rise on the gauge. After warming up, when the revs are increased to around 1500rpm, the pressure rises to normal.
Secondly, around 2 years ago, my engineer was away on a trip when the oil pressure dropped to the bottom of the green range (30 psi). He made an immediate precautionary landing and decided that the oil should be changed to W100. This was done and there were no more issues until last week. I was flying and the oil pressure dropped from the normal 40 – 45 psi to 30 psi. I made an immediate precautionary landing and called my engineer. He sought advice from a NZ engine builder and it was suggested that the oil pressure sender should be looked at. This was pulled out and cleaned, put back and test flown. The engine performed flawlessly with the pressure around 40 – 45psi once again.
Before we start worrying, I thought that it would be prudent to contact the experts for their thoughts. You may know some old time 0 200 engineers that have experience with these engines.
Your thoughts or. if you could put me onto someone that could help, it would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Gordon
I am based in New Zealand and own a well maintained Citabria 7ECA – 318 which is powered by a Rolls Royce Continental 0 200.
The engine has run approximately 500 hours since last overhaul and uses very little oil between 25 hour oil changes.
I have two issues that I hope that you may be able to give me advice on. Firstly, very occasionally – perhaps once every 20 hours and interestingly near oil change time (Especially on cold morning after the aircraft hasn’t been flown for a while) – The oil pressure does not rise on the gauge. After warming up, when the revs are increased to around 1500rpm, the pressure rises to normal.
Secondly, around 2 years ago, my engineer was away on a trip when the oil pressure dropped to the bottom of the green range (30 psi). He made an immediate precautionary landing and decided that the oil should be changed to W100. This was done and there were no more issues until last week. I was flying and the oil pressure dropped from the normal 40 – 45 psi to 30 psi. I made an immediate precautionary landing and called my engineer. He sought advice from a NZ engine builder and it was suggested that the oil pressure sender should be looked at. This was pulled out and cleaned, put back and test flown. The engine performed flawlessly with the pressure around 40 – 45psi once again.
Before we start worrying, I thought that it would be prudent to contact the experts for their thoughts. You may know some old time 0 200 engineers that have experience with these engines.
Your thoughts or. if you could put me onto someone that could help, it would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Gordon