60
AeroVee 2.1
Rev Z. 01/14/2015
Sonex Aircraft
LLC
© 2014 All Rights Reserved
ENGINE OIL
Parts Required
__ 3 quarts approved SAE engine oil. Approved oils are
listed below.
Approved Oils
Break-in Period (First 25 hours)
The flat-tappet (non-roller rocker) design of the AeroVee re-
quires an oil with zinc and phosphate levels of approximately
.12% to .14% (1200 - 1400 ppm)
Additionally, break-in oil must be non-detergent, non-synthet-
ic, and contain no friction modifiers.
Do not use diesel engine oils (Rotella) and do not use oil ad-
ditives.
Approved break-in oils are:
Valvoline VR-1, 20w50, non-synthetic
Brad Penn Penn-Grade 1 Racing 20w50
Post Break-in
The flat-tappet (non-roller rocker) design of the AeroVee re-
quires an oil with zinc and phosphate levels of approximately
.12% to .14% (1200 - 1400 ppm)
Do not use diesel engine oils (Rotella) and do not use oil ad-
ditives.
Synthetic oils may be used but do not extend the recommend-
ed oil change interval. The primary benefit to using a synthetic
oil is improved heat transfer.
Approved post break-in oils are:
Valvoline VR-1, 20w50, non-synthetic
Valvoline VR-1, 20w50, synthetic
Brad Penn Penn-Grade 1 Racing 20w50
Mobil 1, 15W-50
Priming the Engine and Setting Oil Level
The AeroVee has a 2.75 quart capacity without oil cooler and
lines. The following method may be used to achieve the proper
oil level for your engine wether fitted with oil cooler or not:
__ 1. Add 2 quarts of oil to the crankcase and allow it to settle
into the sump.
__ 2. With the aircraft in its normal ground attitude (on its
tailwheel for tailwheel aircraft), remove the dipstick
and file a mark on the dipstick at the oil line. This is the
"Low" mark for the oil level.
__ 3. Add an additional .75 quart of oil to the crankcase and
allow it to settle into the sump.
__ 4. With the aircraft in its normal ground attitude (on its
tailwheel for tailwheel aircraft), remove the dipstick
and file a mark on the dipstick at the oil line. This is the
"Full" mark for the oil level.
__ 5. Remove one spark plug from each cylinder.
__ 6. With the fuel off and ignition switches off, operate the
starter until oil pressure registers on the oil pressure
gauge.
Note: If no oil pressure registers, the oil pump may need
to be re-primed with white lithium grease. Also, check
the electrical connection of the oil pressure sender.
__ 7. Re-install the spark plugs.
__ 8. Add oil as needed to bring the oil level back to "Full".
In operation you may find that your engine prefers a slightly
lower oil level. This will be evidenced by excessive oil drain-
ing from the breather tube and, in some cases, the front seal. It
is acceptable to operate your engine with less than 2.75 quarts,
2.5 quarts being fairly common.
If your oil level is allowed to drop too low you will experience
increased oil temperatures and fluctuating and/or decreased oil
pressure.
do not operate your engine in this condition.
Oil Changes During Break-in Period
During the first 25 hours of operation the oil level should
be monitored closely and oil changes performed at 1 hour,
5 hours, 15 hours, and 25 hours. Thereafter, oil should be
changed every 25 hours or 3 months.
Note: Engines which are not operated frequently collect dam-
aging moisture. This moisture can only be removed by operat-
ing the engine until oil temperatures are above 190-degrees
for an extended period of time, or by changing the oil. Short
runs of the engine, which do not allow the engine to come to
full operating temperature, are more damaging than not run-
ning the engine at all.
