Dripping sludge!

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher

n3833v
Posts: 857
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 6:02 pm

Re: Dripping sludge!

Post by n3833v »

Richard,
Normally the water is leaving as steam vapor and will continue out where oil will not. This is what I seem to see in my vapor drainage.
Am I thinking wrong?

John
John Hess
Past President 2018-2021
President 2016-2018, TIC170A
Vice President 2014-2016, TIC170A
Director 2005-2014, TIC170A
N3833V Flying for Fun
'67 XLH 900 Harley Sportster
EAA Chapter 390 Pres since 2006
K3KNT
hilltop170
Posts: 3481
Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 6:05 pm

Re: Dripping sludge!

Post by hilltop170 »

I don’t know John, there probably isn’t enough condensation in the breather tube itself to make any difference either way. I just like the idea if anything makes it into the breather it goes overboard, not back into the engine.

What I have observed is a large flow of vapor coming out of the oil filler neck when I remove the filler cap right after landing. It’s a combination of oil and water vapor but any water that goes out the top is good in my book. When I forget to take the cap off, there is always condensation under the cap when I take it off later after the engine has cooled.

I think regular flying is the best thing for keeping the engine in good shape and driving out any water.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
User avatar
c170b53
Posts: 2527
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 8:01 pm

Re: Dripping sludge!

Post by c170b53 »

I think the little tail wheel means due to the angle of the dangle of the breather likely fluids will run out . Most of the time the small elbow is canted up to allow the vent tube to clear the right fwd cylinder. So it sounds like Cessna went out of their way to make both you guys happy. My Lycoming just comes straight out and down but I enjoy guessing where to put my small drip tray and seeing if I’ve guess right days later
Jim McIntosh..
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
User avatar
GAHorn
Posts: 20993
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm

Re: Dripping sludge!

Post by GAHorn »

c170b53 wrote:I think the little tail wheel means due to the angle of the dangle of the breather likely fluids will run out . Most of the time the small elbow is canted up to allow the vent tube to clear the right fwd cylinder. So it sounds like Cessna went out of their way to make both you guys happy. My Lycoming just comes straight out and down but I enjoy guessing where to put my small drip tray and seeing if I’ve guess right days later
Jim,
Don’t those Lycomings SHAKE most of their moisture out during operations? I thought about naming my dog “Lycoming” for when he shakes after coming out of the water. :lol:
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
Post Reply