Engine incline and oil pressure

[pwilletts]

My engine ( Farymann 34k)is inclined at the max 20 degrees...so what is the situation with the crank being well covered with oil? The oil intake is covered so that's fine but in order for that to happen almost double the normal amount of oil is required in the system...the crank must be giving it a pretty good beating...some splash action is normal but at what point is it too much?

[DougR]

Some engine manufacturers supply extra dipsticks to be used if the engine inclination exceeds a certain angle. These usually lower the oil level a bit.

Some of the problems that can occur if the oil level is to high include:
- oil foaming from the crankshaft whipping the oil. This can cause loss of oil pressure
- so much oil thrown on the cylinder walls that the piston rings can't control the oil any longer and oil burning occurs
- for those engines with crankcase ventilation in the side of the block, oil leaking can occur at the ventilation outlet
- leaking can occur at the real crankshaft seal

If you don't have any of these problems, you are probably OK. Just be sure you don't overfill the oil.

DougR