Engine Operating Tips/Rich or Lean of Peak

[Bob Cook]

Richard

Perhaps the following might help. My oil stays clean for 20-25 hrs and then I change at 25-30 hrs. Plugs go for 100 hrs. Leaning is critical to maintaining clean engines.

1) lean, lean, and lean..... on the ground. MAX EGT or until the engines are about to quit.

2) Lean on descent. Keep engine temps up.

3) Do NOT lean on climb!

4) lean ROP or LOP to >60 ROP if necessary... depending on power.

5) Never start the engines unless you are going to fly.

6) never fly for less than 1 hr.

7) do NOT run at low power settings (<50%) for any length of time unless you lean to peak EGT! PEAK EGT!

8) Do not idle the engines for any length of time. I get my clearances and ATIS with a handheld.

9) Keep up your temps by keeping cowl flaps closed except on climb. Try and keep them up to 190 deg (oil temp).

10) Insulate rear oil tube to keep condensation down on rear engine.

If you adhere to the above rules you will NOT have any problems. I have followed these rules for many years flying Cessna products and it does make a difference..

Fresh oil is cheaper than new engines. Leaning saves fuel and eliminates carbon.

Bob