IO-520-F oil consumption

[TFaudree_ERAU]

I have a concern with the oil consumption on our 206 Stationair. I've flown the damn thing from Virginia (site of the annual and last oil change) to Hilton Head, SC, up to Columbia, SC a few times, over to Macon, GA and back, up to Greenville, SC, over to Charleston, and finally back to HXD. All in all, about 15 hours. The dipstick still shows a solid 12 quarts. The IO-520 is relatively new, with just under 200 hours now. The owner of the aircraft, whom we are leasing it from, is an A&P, so I assume he broke it in very well when it was first rebuilt.

My question is whether or not this engine, at this point in it's life, should be burning more oil than this. I'm a little concerned to tell you the truth. And yes, I do know that you have to wipe the dipstick off and then re-dip in order to get a good reading. I learned that the hard way with a 182RG a couple of months ago.

[dpilot83]

It almost seems as if you're worried that your engine isn't burning enough oil? I really can't imagine how low oil consumption could be a bad thing. I'd say find out who rebuilt it and take it to them next time you need something done...lol.

[TFaudree_ERAU]

I'm not so much worried about low consumption as just being confused. I've never flown anything that didn't require a quart to be dumped in at least every 5 hours.

[uh60james]

Some engines have sweet spots, there is an exceptable range for the oil level to be in (it doesnt have to be at the top). Our engines have a sight glass rather than a dipstick and we mark the sweetspot, if the pilot still insists on more oil we fill it up and after the flight it will be right back on the line we marked. Just something to think about.

[USMCmech]

The rate of oil consumption isn't a real concern. Whatever it is, it is. Obviously lower is better, but some engines just burn more than others.

UNLESS it suddenly changes!

A sudden shift in oil consumption is a sign of problems with your engine.

So if your engine only needs a quart about every 25 hours, then great. But if it changes and starts sucking down a quart every 5-10 then you've got a problem.