Another Story

As promised the reason I did not fly my airplane on the Angel Flight.
Some time about ten days ago Elizabeth (my airplane) developed an oil
leak. My airplane went from using a quart about every 10-12 hours to a
quart every 2 hours. The belly was wet. I had an obvious leak. I looked
at the drain back lines and all of them were dry and the clamps were
tights. I looked at the oil filter and it was dry. Every thing on the
accessory case from one mag to another and down was wet. This left both
mags, the fuel pump and the oil filter adapter as the possible suspects.
Since I had removed a Mag that was mis-behaving and done a mini overhaul
I took that as the likely suspect. I removed it cleaned off the old
gasket and put new one on. Nope that did not do it. I checked the other
mag. Replaced that gasket, not that either. This was getting frustrating.

By now I had replaced both gaskets and re-timed both magneto's. This
time I sprayed down the engine and ran it without the cowlings on.
Everything from the mags down was once again wet. I cleaned her once
again and ran it for a short time. Now the culprit was making itself known.

It appeared to be the oil filter adapter. I hope so. I was not about to
order parts and not have it be what I suspected. Instead of ordering
another adapter and making changing the oil filter a pain in butt for
the next ten or so years. I ordered a remote filter kit. Now I could
finally get ot the filter without needing the dimple in the firewall. I
installed the hardware last weekend. I primed the oil filter with oil.
It took nearly a quart of oil. I ordered the hoses this morning. I
should have the tomorrow morning. Hopefully Elizabeth will operational
tomorrow afternoon.

Michelle