Jan,

 I am getting a bit concerned about a couple things I’m seeing.  A friend of mine, who is considering the Eggenfellner engine for his GlaStar Sportsman, is getting apoplectic about it.

 Look at this sequence:

 A customer makes a suggestion

 -----Original Message-----
From: Charlie Walker [mailto:luvtofly@rockisland.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 7:58 PM
To: Subaru EAA List
Subject: [subaruaircraft] Redline "Shock Proof" gear oil

Jan,

Today I changed to PSRU oil from the Mobil 1 75W-90 to the Redline full synthetic Shock Proof heavy gear oil.  After start I let the engine warm up at 1600 rpm for a few min.  I then reduced the engine rpm to 1120, WAY below the normal min. idle speed and the backlash chatter was GONE!  I set the idle at 1600 rpm and stood next to the engine, there was no gearbox sound, just the quiet hum of the Sube.  The next flt. I will climb to 5-8K to see if the gearbox is running any cooler.  Chris Lowery is the one that put me onto this Redline gear oil, Thanks Chris.

Charlie

 Half an hour later, with apparently no further testing or consideration of ramifications, you suggest the whole customer base try it, while also stating that you really know nothing about the product:

-----Original Message-----
From: eaainc@aol.com [mailto:eaainc@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 8:29 PM
To: subaruaircraft@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [subaruaircraft] Redline "Shock Proof" gear oil

Yes, this is great:)  if it is marketing or real good stuff, I don't know, but I have also been running tests with heavier gear oils and the results are very good.  I would encourage everyone else to try it and to report back.  And yes, thank you Chris for the safe and good experimentation.

Jan

 An hour and 45 minutes after that, you say you’ve switched the product line to include it.  No mention of any sort of testing, other than one customer’s anecdotal evidence:

 -----Original Message-----
From: eaainc@aol.com [mailto:eaainc@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 10:13 PM
To: subaruaircraft@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [subaruaircraft] Redline "Shock Proof" gear oil

All engines will now leave with 18oz of this in the drive unit.  Just ordered a pallet full.

Jan

 A couple weeks later, a customer reports that things did not go well with trying it.  No other customers have reported any results either way, that I know of:

 -----Original Message-----
From: flowinrv9 [mailto:rvatornate@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 10:33 PM
To: subaruaircraft@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [subaruaircraft] Gear Box Temps

Just made the switch today to the Red line gear oil.  Drained the
Mobil 1 synthetic I had been using, and filled the gearbox to the
same level I had been using.  Took a quick trip to check everything
out.  After about 15 minutes the temps went up to 225.  I reduced
power and went back to land.  I had normally been seeing max temps
around 205 during a long climb, falling to 195 during normal
cruise.  Upon landing, pulled the cowl and had a nice red slime all
over the engine from the gear box breather filter element.  Oil
level dropped 1/4 inch below the previous level.  As it was getting
late, I didn't do a repeat run to see if it now was down to a
stabilized level, or it the high temps repeated themselves.  Any
idea as to why the suddenly high temps with the switch to the red
line.
Nathan Larson
N217JT 197 hours.
 

You respond that you really know very little about this new oil that you’ve recommended everyone use, and that you’ve switched all your engines to.  You ask the customer to continue the testing:

 -----Original Message-----
From: eaainc@aol.com [mailto:eaainc@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2004 1:02 PM
To: subaruaircraft@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [subaruaircraft] Re: Gear Box Temps

This is why we started to use Mobil 1 oil.  Redline might just be heavy gear oil with red dye and a high $$$$ for all we know :)  However, the heavier oil is beneficial so we should find a way to use it.  Try relocating the top location of where the clear hose exits the drive unit to the fill plug or temp probe location.  (change places) and report back. 

Jan

 Wouldn’t this sort of testing normally be done by the manufacturer/supplier, rather than having customers try untested things on flying engines?  Also please keep in mind that people (Eggenfellner customers, at least) look up to you, Jan, and take your casual suggestions as gospel.

 After all the above has transpired, you then finally decide to test this new oil and report:

 -----Original Message-----
From: eaainc@aol.com [mailto:eaainc@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2004 11:10 PM
To: subaruaircraft@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [subaruaircraft] Gear Lube

…..Instead I tested the red stuff gear lube and can't say I am impressed.  I need to do more testing but so far it ran +20F above the Mobil 1. 

I will test a heavier Mobil oil and also the original again on Monday.

Jan

 Hey, as a customer, I’m on your side, Jan, but this sort of stuff makes me real nervous.  And I know for a fact it was scaring customers away even before this egregious example presented itself.

 Please tell me everything is OK and why it’s OK.

brian