It is true that the oil does siphon out of the oil tank when the engine is
shut down. So long as it can't siphon out completely to the extent that the
open end of the suction pipe in the oil tank becomes exposed, then I don't
see that it matters much.
You'll find that on most installations, the level of the oil pump/sump is
about half way up the oil tank. Thus the siphoning should stop when the
level of oil in the tank gets down to that level. That's my own experience
with periods of inactivity of four weeks or so.
Duncan McF.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Davis" <peterdavis@ntlworld.com>
Subject: Europa-List: Oil Level
>
> Hi,
>
> Just thought it was time I asked the question.
>
> Since completing my 'plane (first flight Aug. 1999) I have experienced oil
> siphoning out of the tank into (presumably) the crank case if it is left
> unused for a number of days. I used to recon on two weeks for the level on
> the dipstick to go from full to less than half way down the 'flat' on the
> stick, but with the advent of the new improved dipstick - which requires
> more oil in the tank and has a shorter 'flat' - this seems to be more like
a
> week.
>
> The system is a 'Classic' airframe with the 80hp 912 and oil tank on the
> port side as instructed. The tank is set at the correct height according
to
> the manual - in fact there is no possibility of it being anywhere else due
> to the exhaust stubs, cowlings, firewall, etc.
>
> This doesn't cause me too much of a problem - I just have to ensure I go
> flying at least once a week :-) but am curious as to whether anyone else
has
> come across this.
>
> Regards,
>
> Peter
>
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