Gearbox Oil Additive

[Tsemler]

So............we"ve done around 300 + hrs.....no probs.........correct ???Now..........we"ve got heat issues.....correct...... Pull the box off, strip it down......somethings going on within. Plumbing in a cooler with pump etc is not the answer......it"s not "the fix".Trying different oils/addatives/ etc etc............is not "the fix"Pull the damn thing off............. I agree with Russ, Sounds suss if its only started happening after 300hrs, I"ld be pulling that sucker apart.

[yoshi]

Hi AllWaddles - Thanks for the info re the operating temps you have been seeing in the gearbox, the difference in temps you experienced between the Syntrax and Nulon is minimal really 50% thinner than both the the Syntrax and Nulon 75W 90 products at your operating temp, whilst you may have seen a minor drop in operating temps you may infact be increasing the wear rates in that box due to the oil now being to thin (but only lab analysis of the oil would confirm this) The Nulon SAE 80 product as you mentioned is a mineral oil or a possible semi synthetic at best, mineral oils do not like being constantly exposed to the types of temperatures you are experiencing and will degrade very quickly, full synthetic oils however have far better oxidation and thermal stabilty and can operate at those temps and infact can handle temps up to around 130c. Given that Autoflight reccomend a 75W 90 I would try and stick to something in that range, a mono grade oil is probably not the best option. What is the oil capacity in the Autoflight box?

[tonydenton]

darren, i really don"t doubt you knowledge in your field , " your hanging in there and really that says something" my question is based on [other reports ,consultants, not from oil companies or you obviosly ] where there are reports given or shown etc maybe just the pie chart on the screen has been typed incorrectly or as i had said columns with initials only or not finished because ... of what ever reason!!!! it will be good to get this sorted and hopefully you will be the one able to do. as i said earlier, i think the supplier should be a fair bit more interested in helping out.maybe a bit of prodding from the board ? i had also wanted to say that i"m sure any testing by you [ if it gets to your trusty little microscope stage ] would be you not just being able to walk in and saying to your boss " i just want to containment up the lab for bit during lunch"

[Waddles]

Thanks Darren,I"m aware that the SAE 80 oil is thinner then the others and I"m guessing that this is why the temps decrease much quicker than with the Syntrax. Oil capacity of the box is 500 mls.

[aussie_paul]

Thanks Darren,I"m aware that the SAE 80 oil is thinner then the others and I"m guessing that this is why the temps decrease much quicker than with the Syntrax. Oil capacity of the box is 500 mls.

[Disco]

Allan, doubt there"d be much rocket science involved.

[Russell]

I know.....for a fact, that the kiwi guy keeps tabs on all the important forums re "aviation"..........beats me why he stays silent when topics as this come up. Surely when such problems crop up, or queries arise amongst us fliers, the manufacturer who ever he may be, would jump in and

[KEVT]

Hi allan, i take it you haven"t had your gearbox upgradedas recomended by autoflight.

[Russell]

" MANDATORY "....................well bugger me, i"ve heard jack shyte to get mine UPGRADED,to 2012 specs, way way back he offered to uprate it to bigger HP, but at the same time said it would be Ok as is.....my call, as allan was having no probs what so ever, i decided to leave it as was...... how many other flyers out there know nothing about this. Good product............followup zero ??? ???will drop him a mail to find out what the go is re these boxes.........

[danny]

I"m pretty sure that the upgrade (bigger bearing and an external oil cooler attached to the existing drain hole) is for the higher power boxes and not the 160hp box? Mine"s a 160D.

[Waddles]

All this MANDATORY upgrade stuff is new to me. Never heard of it before. I knew about Sam"s bearing problems but not from Neil at Autoflight. That was when he asked me to fit the temp gauge and advise of what I saw.My gearbox is prop shaft down so the largest part of the "reservoir" is down.I"ve had an oil leak for some time and today managed to trace it to the rear bearing oil seal. This coupled with my other concerns indicates an overhaul ASAP. My current trainee will have to go back to work on Tuesday, so I"m going to pull the box and have a look then. Paul, I know what you"re saying but I like to have a go for educational purposes. If I stuff it up, it"s only time and money!!!! Gees, I"m retired now and the latter is not coming in anymore. Bugger!I have a source for good bearings and advice from a very knowledgable person mechanically, so it"s worth a go I guess.Stay tuned for the continuing saga.Again, thanks for all the info and suggestions,Oh. One last question today. Where does one get oil analysis done? Maybe Darren can help here?Regards,Waddles.

[Ken Watson]

I have never heard of a mandatory upgrade either. I pulled mine to bits a while back after talking to Sam L. He said the bearings dust covers were supposed to be removed to allow oil to pass into the bearings and some had not been when asssembled. Mine had been. Mine is on an ej22 and must be a 160hp. It was the only one he sold

[Brian]

I have never heard of a mandatory upgrade either. I pulled mine to bits a while back after talking to Sam L. He said the bearings dust covers were supposed to be removed to allow oil to pass into the bearings and some had not been when asssembled. Mine had been. Mine is on an ej22 and must be a 160hp. It was the only one he sold

[KEVT]

Autoflight issued an "ADVISORY" on 17/4/2012 about this problem.Apparently it is only a problem on the 2.5 motors.

[tonydenton]

i tried to send an e-mail to neil on the link that paul listed and it would"t send.