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Ron's Web Site
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Date: 6-21-2012
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Number of Hours: 1.50
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: Fluid Leak
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I've had problems with a gray-green oily buildup on the right side just aft of the exhaust tunnel after 15 minute flight. At first, I thought it was a fuel leak, but several exhaustive searches under the floorboards reveal no such leak. I mounted a video camera, and discovered where it was coming from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBybFmyPUmU&feature=plcp
The "leak" appears to have the consistency of oil, and the color possibly is oil plus exhaust gas. I can find no engine oil leaks, other than the crankcase breather, so presumably the oil is coming from there. I'd previously tried an oil separator, but it's size obstructed air flow and raised oil temp and CHT's. To solve the fluid leak problem, I wanted to found a small separator made by Airflow Systems called the Super Slime Fighter ACS PN 08-06152 which mounts high up in the engine compartment, and is self-draining. I ordered the RV-10 version as it comes with a molded hose (Gates 21354) which when cut up, allows adaptation in the Bearhawk. A better fit is a Gates 21404, at least in my installation. The Slime Fighter unit has had mixed reviews online, but on the other hand it's small, out of the cowl air outlet and not nearly as expensive as the Airwolf system. It also doesn't require vacuum connection or drainage, as the oil drains back into the crankcase, which can be a mixed blessing. It requires a little tilt so the oil will drain back into the engine given the Bearhawk's taildragger configuration. Test flight showed an improvement but still some accumulation. I removed the separators outflow hose and it had no internal oil, suggesting the separator is doing its job.
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Fluid Leak
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Super Slime Fighter Oil Separator
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Less but still present after 40 minutes of flight
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