Skip to main content

Air / Oil Seperator

I recently had some avionics upgrades done that eliminated my need for the vaccum system on my Travel Air. The vaccum pumps were left in place and will be removed at next annual when the cowling is off.

On the the Lycoming O-360-A1A, will this remove the air/oil seperator as well?

Any thoughts on the effectiveness of the original Garwin seperators? They tend to be in the way during oil changes and I am always in favor of simplifying where possible if they are left in place after vaccum pump removal.

Model: Travel Air 95
Aircraft Serial Number: TD-62
Posted 5/6/2020 - 2 years ago
|

Replies Sort

Depends on what your A&P tells you and the installation. Usually those separators were for 'wet' vacuum pumps (which last forever and are the best - I was surprised and happy to find my Travelair has them), but sometimes the actual engine crankcase breather air goes through them as well - in which case you may want to keep them. The Garwin separators are just like any other, a leftover from WWII, but effective for their task.
If the crankcase breather air does not go through them, then they will serve no purpose, get em' off, but be sure the lines to the oil sump are removed and capped at the case -

Posted 5/6/2020 - 2 years ago
|
Quote

I took a look at the IPC and it is very hard to determine if the engine breather is attached to the air/oil separator. If the breather is attached, you need to leave it in the system.

Bob Ripley
ABS Technical Advisor

Posted 5/7/2020 - 2 years ago
|
Quote

Air / Oil Seperator