It seems there are two opinions , hot or cold , probably makes no real difference , the most important thing is frequent oil changes imo.
Another point that was recently brought to my attention is that, for bikes with an oil cooler, a certain amount of oil will be retained in the cooler due to the inlet and outlet both being at the top. The solution would be to dismount the cooler and tip it sideways while draining. This can be a bit of a pain though, so I have made the decision not to bother but instead to change my oil more frequently, in my case at 3000m instead of 6000m, but to leave the filter unchanged until the normal interval, ie replaced every other oilchange.
Is their a specific ambient temperature recommended for changing oil? Do I need to equip the garage with an AC split? Very confused.
I think warm sounds about right - thin enough to flow easily and not too hot to burn fingers. I am interested in which Aircraft engine you are changing the oil cold on? I do not work maintaining aero engines, I am a Principal engine designer for a very large manufacturer based in the USA
Our fleet of 15 Dassault Falcon 20's are fitted with GE CF700 2d2 engines, I work in the engine overhaul department. We do every thing, 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th Hot section inspection and also Overhaul strip and rebuilds.
Andriod - No pistons in that baby - funny backend fan & some troublesome carbon oil seals if I remember correctly?
We fly target practice for the Navy, electronic warfare and towed targets.....low level sea flights present serious problems with corrosion in the engine and the airframe, the carbon seals are the least of our problems. Keeps us out of mischief, never know what I will be doing next
Android - Just like Salt on the roads over winter - but worse. I hate the stuff, corrodes everything. This is the only thing I fly these days - Not quite in the same league as your Falcon, and converted to pull start for more fun LOL
I've always done oil changes with the engine warm enough to be able to just about keep a hand on the block, so I'd day about 40+ degrees Celsius. That means the oil is viscous enough to flow, but the engine's not hot enough to do any harm. After that, I agree 100% on frequency versus quality for oil: a lot of people get wound up about fully synthetic etc. Unless you are talking about the Testastretta motors, none of the Desmoquatos are that highly strung, so regular fresh good quality semi-synth is going to be of far more use than the occasional change with fully synth. Aim for an oil change every 4k miles or less and you'll be reet. And yes, it is absolutely essential that you lube the seal on the new filter! I generally pour some fresh oil directly into the filter to aid fill up too. A
I can see how difficult it would be to change aircraft oil when the engines are hot. "Lets bring this for a spin round the block to warm it up"!! I always change when heated up after a run. I always fill the filter to the top to reduce the time for pressure to build and oil light to go out. Pat
