Zenith Cruzer... Oil Leak?

Trouble shooting an oil leak(s) in the engine.

[@wb6anp]

you can get dye that goes in oil, and with a black light it will show where the leak is coming from.

[@mhilderbrand7693]

I did that, but didn’t mention it 😀

[@geezerguy47]

My cruzer with a viking engine has a minor oil drip on the left side same place as yours. I first thought it was the plug, but no. I will be watching to see if you find the solution. My oil consumption is nil. Thirty hours on last oil change and its still on full. My oil leak is just a cosmetic issue. On an earlier video you commented on gear box temperature. Mine is running right at 150 deg at cruise. I have not upgraded to new bearings yet.

[@allplanesnstuff]

Didn't you install a new engine? Odd you would have oil leaks already. What does Viking say about this?

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Not a new engine, it is the same one. I just updated the gearbox. The oil was seeping around a cover plate. Viking suggested to reseal it.

[@allplanesnstuff]

@@mhilderbrand7693 You don’t have that many hours tho right? That’s what I meant. A quart every 7-10 hours is a lot of oil. I hope there’s a good resolve for you on that

[@mhilderbrand7693]

@@allplanesnstuff Yes, losing/burning more than I would have liked. So far, after sealing the leak areas, the oil loss is looking better. I will post more regarding that once I get more hours. I have around 50 hrs on the engine.

[@Texxas750Cruzer]

Me...me ...me. 🖐🖐🖐...I know the answers 🤓. Could have sworn I posted these issues in the past 🤔

[@mhilderbrand7693]

I watch you like a hawk, Dave 😀. Did I miss something 🧐….

[@kenfawcett4006]

I would remove the prop and run the engine in the hanger at 2500 for 30-45 minutes observing for leaks. This will allow you to actually see if the exhaust is smokey. If you see smoke pull the dipstick out just a little and see if excessive smoke or exhaust gasses are coming from the tube. If you are getting blow by in a cylinder that could be increasing the air pressure in the block which can force oil out of areas that normally would not leak. What does Viking do with the EGR valve that on most engines is on the valve cover?

[@mhilderbrand7693]

This doesn’t sound like a bad idea, thanks! Only thing is your not suppose to run the engine very long without prop, or very many RPMs. Not sure of exact RPM limits or time? I believe it’s the EGR valve (comes off valve cover) that is connected to a hose that is directed toward the top of the exhaust (burns off). So would a compression check show a potential cylinder causing blow by as well?

[@kenfawcett4006]

Yes, But could also be a leaky valve guide. Plenty of things to consider. Dave (Texas Jumbo) had a cracked piston. I want to get a borescope before I use an experimental engine on an experimental airplane.@@mhilderbrand7693

[@kenfawcett4006]

2500 for 30 minutes is nothing on a car engine. Think in terms of letting your car run at high idle on a freezing morning before starting your commute.@@mhilderbrand7693

[@scottmiller4711]

I don't think you are spilling a quart of oil every 7-10 hours. This is unusual for an auto engine...if my car was using that much oil, I would take it to the shop.

[@mhilderbrand7693]

😀 After some internet research… I found that sometimes these engines can go through oil at higher rpm’s (not related to aircraft use). I am not an engine guru, so not sure what steps are necessary. Will do a compression test soon.

[@scottmiller4711]

@@mhilderbrand7693 If it is going through the cylinders, I would think the plugs would show signs of oil burn as well.

[@mhilderbrand7693]

@@scottmiller4711 I am going to give the plugs a look as well. Will post the results 😀