Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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Oil pressure at startup & oil filter leakdown
For some time now I have noticed that my 3300 Gen 4 seems to take an inordinately long time ( in excess of 30 seconds or more at times) to show oil pressure at startup after sitting for a day or more. OP develops quickly after short duration shutdowns.
To investigate I let the engine sit idle for a few days and then carefully removed the oil filter. No oil ran out as the filter was loosened. In fact there was very little oil remaining in the filter. Seems the oil filter is draining down while engine is stopped. Same observation with either the recommended NAPA and Fram oil filters.
Appears that the delay in developing oil pressure is due to having to wait for the oil filter to fill up.
My concern is that the engine initially runs with little to no oil flow/pressure at startup. Nick O. did not seem too concerned when I discussed it with him.
Are others seeing the same thing?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Austin on
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Not my experience with a Gen 2 and now a Gen 4 - the filter always has oil in it and the pressure comes up almost instantly at start-up. I used the NAPA "Gold" 1394 for most of that time and had zero problems, but I'm currently using the Hi Flo Filtro 128 as it has a thicker metal casing - just seems more durable but like I said, the NAPA worked fine!
I thought most all oil filters are supposed to have an anti drain-back valve to retain oil in the filter, so looks like you should have oil in the filter no matter what the engine is doing as long as it had oil pressure on the last run?
John
N750A
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Permalink Reply by John Burns on
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Maybe a separate post, but where are you getting the Hi Flo Filtro 128 filter and what made you change from the NAPA?
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I usually get the best price on Amazon. The NAPA filter is OK, I just think the Hi Flo Filtro is higher quality - the casing is thicker metal and each filter is sealed with a film that you remove when you're ready to use it.
BTW, I did have a problem with the last order of the Hi Flo filter from Amazon - they sent me a Hi Flo filter that was the wrong part number, but Amazon's label on the outside of the filter box had the correct part number. They sent a replacement but it was mislabeled exactly the same! Apparently someone mislabeled the whole stock of filters at Amazon! I decided to avoid getting the wrong filter the third time by requesting replacement again, I ordered from one of the alternate suppliers and I think it cost $ 0.01 cent more!
John
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7 oil changes so far on my Gen 4 and I have always had oil in the filter when I changed it. Oil pressure is up in less than 5 seconds. I cut open each NAPA gold 1394 and they have all had a silicone anti drain back valve.
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I have the same experience on start-up. I cranked it today and within a few seconds at most the pressure was normal.
John
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Permalink Reply by Grant G Ziebell on
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Thanks for all the replies.
Any thoughts on how the oil filter could be draining down?
I am thinking that the oil pressure regulator/bypass may be leaking by. I will look at maintenance/overhaul manual for removal/installation instructions.
Any experience out there on this?
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