D180. Single wire oil temperature sensor. 117 hours on a RV-9A. Normal oil temps during flight of about 180F (deemed plausible in previous experimentation/oil cooler testing). During today’s 1.6hr flight, the oil temp would periodically drop to 120F-ish, then return to the 180F range. A high rate fluctuation, sometimes at less that a second in cycle 180-120-180, call it “twitchy”, that occurs for minutes, then goes away. At one point it stayed at 120F-ish for a couple minutes, then returned to 180F-ish. No switches were flipped, for most of the period of time no throttle changes made, no other indications of any other anomalies. Odd indications on this sensor usually send people down the ground loop path, but I could not find any discussion of dropping temperatures. I have no evidence but the data log. I did disconnect the lead to the sensor about five hours ago, but it’s snug and has a lock washer. It reads correctly at ambient, ive had no reason to doubt it.
Before I go tearing into it, I’m hoping there’s some wisdom that can help! Thanks, Rick
Before I go tearing into it, I’m hoping there’s some wisdom that can help! Thanks, Rick