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John,
One of the reasons for changing the oil is to get rid of the moisture and acids that build up in the oil over time. I think that most mechanics and engine manufacturers would tell you that leaving the oil in the engine for six months, regardless of hours flown, is not a good idea. In other words, even if you only have 5 hours on the oil, you should change it more often than once every six months. If you put 40 hours on the oil, and then just drain the oil and don't change the filter, you will have close to a quart of oil remaining in the oil filter that doesn't get changed. Another reason for changing the filter and oil more often is so that the filter can be cut open and inspected. If your engine starts making metal, the particles are going to be trapped in the oil filter (or in the screen, if you either have an oil filter and a screen, or have only the screen and no oil filter). The only way to know if there are metal particles in the filter and to have an early warning of an impending failure is to cut the filter open on a regular basis and inspect it. I personally wouldn't want to go a whole year without looking in the oil filter.
Actually, once you change the oil and filter a few times, you can get the whole routine down to where it only takes about an hour and a half to two hours. If you have a quick drain on the bottom of the oil sump, and have a spin-on oil filter kit, you should be able to change the oil without hardly spilling a drop of oil. I drain the oil by taking a piece of hose and putting one end of it on the quick drain, and the other end into a plastic 5 gallon "Used Oil" can (actually a yellow plastic 5 gallon diesel fuel can). I then open the quick drain, and the oil goes straight into the oil can. You don't spill a drop doing it this way, and you don't have to pour the used oil into another container when you are done.
The oil filter is easy to remove, and putting a rag under it while unscrewing it will prevent the oil from making a mess. I always fill the new oil filter with oil before installing it, and believe it or not, I can turn the filter sideways and screw it in place with a rag under it and not spill any oil in the cowling in the process. The only part of changing the oil and filter that I hate is safety wiring the new filter once it's torqued in place. It always takes me three tries to get the safety wire job where I'm happy with it. It seems that no matter what, the first two tries always come out loose.
Of course, it's a good idea to close the quick drain and remove the drain hose prior to refilling the oil tank..... It takes a lot of oil to fill the sump if you leave the drain open....
Best Regards,
Wayne DelRossi
Alon N5618F
Hours logged since restoration: 143.5
Wayne DelRossi
Alon N5618F
Hours logged since restoration: 143.5
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