Robinson R44
R44 Oil Filter Kit UK
Can anyone help with info on an oil filter kit for the 44 to stop the 25hr oil changes. Any links or info would be most welcome. Just out of interest, why did the CAA stop users doing this themselves?
Thanks
Thanks
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Not sure if it is the same on the 44, but my R22 also needs 25 hour changes. This is a bit of a pain, not due to the cost but the necessity of having to take it to the maintenance place every 25 hours for a 5 minute job. I enquired re the cost of the Robinson filter mod which gets rid of the 25 hour changes, but as this was £1000 or so it did not seem worth it. Like you, I don't see why I can't do it myself - I used to do 50 hour checks and oil changes on a private cat Cessna which has the same engine. I don't understand the different rules re private and public cat allowed maintenance now that the C of A is EASA.
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The 44 FF Oil Filter kit is worth fitting. I can't remember the final cost when it was retrofitted (but will look this PM) but the kit was quite cheap and it took about a day to do, mainly due to the inaccessable nature of the place it is fitted.
The problem with a 25hr change, is that some weeks you could end up doing it each week, or half way through a tour round somewhere in the summer.
The kit price from RHC is $850 US (£450).
h-r
The problem with a 25hr change, is that some weeks you could end up doing it each week, or half way through a tour round somewhere in the summer.
The kit price from RHC is $850 US (£450).
h-r
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As my earlier response generated a rude response from the thread starter, I have deleted it and will now rephrase it as a question.
What are the CAA requirements on the 44 oil change please? Is there a tolerance on hours? Can I top the oil up but not change it? If it burns a litre in 3 hours, is it effectively being changed (cycled) during normal useage?
I look forward to sensible, polite replies....
What are the CAA requirements on the 44 oil change please? Is there a tolerance on hours? Can I top the oil up but not change it? If it burns a litre in 3 hours, is it effectively being changed (cycled) during normal useage?
I look forward to sensible, polite replies....
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A litre in 3 hrs is about average. A newer engine can burn faster but as they bed in the burn rate goes down.
You still need to complete an oil change at 25 or 50hrs (no filter/ with filter).
Even with top up on an unfilterted engine at 25hrs it's quite dirty and it is a requirement for the machine to be changed at those intervals.
h-r
You still need to complete an oil change at 25 or 50hrs (no filter/ with filter).
Even with top up on an unfilterted engine at 25hrs it's quite dirty and it is a requirement for the machine to be changed at those intervals.
h-r
Didn't mean to be rude Rattle, thought you were having a go at us Robbie owners....my apologies
. I believe you can do much more advanced things yourself but not to pull a plug and drain some oil and then fill it like you do after checking it daily seems crazy.
If anyone can direct me to a supplier in the UK, I would be much obliged. I wasn't aware that they used that much oil, so thanks for the info.
. I believe you can do much more advanced things yourself but not to pull a plug and drain some oil and then fill it like you do after checking it daily seems crazy.If anyone can direct me to a supplier in the UK, I would be much obliged. I wasn't aware that they used that much oil, so thanks for the info.
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BVGS
If only i were a Robinson owner. The Raven II is superb, but I only get to fly other people's machines. I just knew they burn alot of oil and thought that some people may not be bothering with the 25hr. If you have an hour to get to the engineers, then that means a change every 23hrs I guess. Definitely expensive. What would they charge you for somebody to drive to your property? A whole day for an engineer may be cheaper than 2 hours flying?
If only i were a Robinson owner. The Raven II is superb, but I only get to fly other people's machines. I just knew they burn alot of oil and thought that some people may not be bothering with the 25hr. If you have an hour to get to the engineers, then that means a change every 23hrs I guess. Definitely expensive. What would they charge you for somebody to drive to your property? A whole day for an engineer may be cheaper than 2 hours flying?
Rattle, technically it would be but I do enjoy flying so I don't mind. Its just the timing of the thing. Like you want to go somewhere but your oil change is due before you get back...a real pain and one that I really can't see the sense in!!
If I get a kit in the Uk or from the states then I will bite the bullet and have it fitted. Next they will be making us have engineers fill them with AV Gas
If I get a kit in the Uk or from the states then I will bite the bullet and have it fitted. Next they will be making us have engineers fill them with AV Gas
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A slightly unofficial - but official - line here. When I attended the RHC safety course there was a discussion on oil consumption started by owners on the course. What emerged was that when the Raven II was introduced there was no new oil level or dipstick introduced with it. The reason was a bit mumbled and unclear. But I definitely heard a well known RHC person tell us that the Raven II prefers to be run with its oil level closer to the lower limit on the stick.
Tried it - it's true. Anything over 8 qts just gets blown out.
In fact if you look in the Lycoming IO540 handbook that comes with the Raven II, you'll see that the acceptable oil level is a lot lower than 7 qts.
Anyone know if the STC'd oil catch tank/recirculater has made it outside the USA yet ? It's a third party item - and the guy I heard about in the States claims that he never needs to add any oil between checks.
Tried it - it's true. Anything over 8 qts just gets blown out.
In fact if you look in the Lycoming IO540 handbook that comes with the Raven II, you'll see that the acceptable oil level is a lot lower than 7 qts.
Anyone know if the STC'd oil catch tank/recirculater has made it outside the USA yet ? It's a third party item - and the guy I heard about in the States claims that he never needs to add any oil between checks.
The machine I'm talking about is a 2000 model hydraulic Astro which has the same engine as a Raven 1 I believe. Do we think that this would be the same , ie: better to have it on the lower end of the stick? Woulsd still like to fit a filter kit if I could get one.
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Both the engine types, if hi-filled, tend to overpressure the crank case. The optimal location I have noted is around 8qts (l) with a 9qt dipstick (actually 10 if you have the oil filter kit). At this the use rate is lower, but keep it above 7qts, so plan the filling for longer trips of around 2-3hrs, especially for newer engines which use more while bedding in with S100.
h-r
h-r
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Thought if on a private Cof A you could do your own oil change and sign the tec log along with your licence number?
With engines running at max all day unlike fixed wing surely 25hrs is not a bad thing compared with the costs of engine wear.
With engines running at max all day unlike fixed wing surely 25hrs is not a bad thing compared with the costs of engine wear.
I don't think anyone objects or argues the case about whther you should or shouldn't change the oil! Its simply that you cannot do it yourself. I don't know if a private C of A is any different, thats what I am and I'm told it has to go back to the engineers!
They don't run at Max power all day and they are derated anyway but I take your point
They don't run at Max power all day and they are derated anyway but I take your point
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The problem is that there are no private or public C of As any more - they are all called EASA Standard ones. I did ask the maint organisation but they did not know either. However they do have a vested interest in keeping it all in house!
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Geeeee
Even David Blunkett could put a bucket under and drain the oil!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Muffin clear your PMs tried to PM you but your in box is full..................
PB
Even David Blunkett could put a bucket under and drain the oil!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Muffin clear your PMs tried to PM you but your in box is full..................
PB