SonexBuilders.net

Starting for the first time my Arovee, rebuilt by Great Plains Aircraft.Oil gauge went way over 100lbs and blew out the oil cooler in a matter of seconds. Fortunately someone was watching and I shut it down immediately. Also the oil was full of air bubbles.. So there must be a way to adjust the pressure down. I have not built an Aerovee so please keep it simple if there is a way to do so. Thanks, John

I recommend verifying that the oil pressure relief and control valves are installed correctly.

The instructions are on page 13 of the manual. I recommend you get familiar with the manual regardless of your status as a builder.
http://www.aeroconversions.com/support/ ... Manual.pdf

I assume you have a bottom oil cooler? I have a top mounted one which I think is better for simplicity and oil changes require less work. I only mention this since now might be a good chance to decide if you want to change styles.

Did you follow the instructions about priming the oil pump on page 60 of the manual? I don't know that it would have prevented this problem, but it would let you spin the engine at a relatively low rpm while maybe getting a feel for what the pressure is going to do when you actually start the engine.

Are you using the VDO 360-001 sender? It's a 0-80 psi sender. I think it would have to be configured incorrectly to read 100psi, but I could be wrong. In any event, you did blow an oil cooler, so the pressure must have been pretty high. Where did the cooler break? If I remember correctly, this is the second time this has happened to you?

I tend to see pretty high pressures right after engine start (70 psi?). My engine seems to run best right after start around 1300 rpm. I admit that sometimes it goes as high as 1500-1600 rpm before I pull the power back. After 10+ seconds, I'm usually able to idle closer to 1000 rpm until the oil starts to warm. Was your engine spinning fast when the cooler blew?

If great planes rebuilt it why not call them and ask what's up. I would have expected them to do at least a test run if rebuilding an engine for a customer.

Keith
#554

Chris, after doing research in Tom Wilson's VW book I am going to check the pressure relief and control valves. I'm thinking that should be the problem. My Rpms were at about 1500 upon starting. If that doesn't work I will contact Great Plains. Thanks for the replies!!!! John

This might sound really stupid but are you sure you didn't overfill it? I think It would be a really easy thing to do especially if it's a taildragger.