Recommended Break In Oil C-85

[edidin]

What oil would you recommend for break in of new cylinders in Texas? 100W Mineral?

[6183]

As per TCM Service Letter SIL99-2B which covers Approved Lubricants and Sealants for Continental Engines

SAE J 1966- Aviation (replaces MIL-L-6082) non-dispersant mineral lubricating oil for piston aircraft engines. 100W Mineral Oil would work. Recommend you follow the latest break-in procedures as provided by TCM.

I'm sure my fellow moderators Victor and John will chime in as well as my good friend Randy Thompson on this subject.

[6643]

Who made the cylinders? What do they recommend?

[edidin]

Thanks. The cylinders are Superiors - their service letter indicates to use mineral oil of the appropriate weight.

It also says to build oil pressure before starting. What is the best means of doing so?

[2356]

You might try turning the engine over without the plugs installed.

[edidin]

You might try turning the engine over without the plugs installed.

That makes sense - leave the top plugs out, crank with starter, then re-install plugs and go. It'll at least be well lubed for the start. Thanks.

[6643]

If you leave the bottom plugs out you don't have to worry about anything falling in the open holes...

[6597]

I did this on my recent overhaul, an oiler attached to a bushing attached to the front oil channel plugs. I think I did both holes until oil came out the oil pressure sender line.

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[V529]

Depending on your local temperatures, You can't go wrong by using Phillips 20-50 "Type M" mineral oil. That way if you have a colder...........day the 100 mineral isn't too heavy.

As long as it's mineral oil of any weight you should be fine.

Superior (20 years ago) made their cylinder really hard(thick nitriting........darned if I know???).......what I do know is that if a Continental or Lycoming Steel cylinder 3 to 20 hours to break in........the Superior will take more.

My Superiors didn't really break in for almost 100 hours...........seems hard to believe but I tracked oil usage carefully for years.........

Be ready.......

[edidin]

Depending on your local temperatures, You can't go wrong by using Phillips 20-50 "Type M" mineral oil. That way if you have a colder...........day the 100 mineral isn't too heavy.

As long as it's mineral oil of any weight you should be fine.

Superior (20 years ago) made their cylinder really hard(thick nitriting........darned if I know???).......what I do know is that if a Continental or Lycoming Steel cylinder 3 to 20 hours to break in........the Superior will take more.

My Superiors didn't really break in for almost 100 hours...........seems hard to believe but I tracked oil usage carefully for years.........

Be ready.......

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll follow John's advice on taking out the bottom plugs - was thinking the cowl would be on which it won't...

Years ago I thought Superior's schtick was that the barrel was through hardened, not surface hardened. Don't know if that was or is true. I just broke in 6 Superior cylinders on a 210 and oil consumption was at 1 qt/20 hours by around 25 hours or so. I did however, fly it quite a bit (about 90 hours in all) by the end of the break in flights. Used 20-50M as noted. Probably use 100M as this one is in Texas.