On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 12:32:19 -0400, xyzzy wrote:

wrote:

As I understand it, the only benefit of an air/oil separator is to keep the
belly of the plane clean. In reality, what it does is concentrate all the nasty
water and acids the plane normally produces as combustion byproducts and send it back
into the engine. I wouldn't install one on my plane for this reason... even though
it's got a dirty belly.


Interestingly, the upcoming Aviation Consumer has an article on this.
According to their web teaser it looks like they agree with you, but my

If that is their conclusion I'm afraid I won't miss the publication.

I have one of the Deshannon Air oil separators on my Deb and the oil
stays quite clean until 15 or 20 hours. All that *stuff* boils at a
lower temp and does not seem to collect. Beside that I have never had
to add oil except during the breakin for new rings (It had soft rings)

Currently at 25 hours The oil isn't down hardly far enough to measure.

Yes, I have a wet pump so without the air/oil separator it'd be a real
mess.

If I purchased another plane one of the first things I'd do would be
to add an air/oil separator if it didn't have one.

The engine is getting fairly close to TBO so it's doing well even
though I've not flown a lot the past two years.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com
print copy hasn't come yet so I haven't read the whole article (I know I
can read it online as a subscriber, but what's the fun of getting the
print version in the mail if I've already read everything in it online?)