I feel this is of some importance to let everybody know about the hole in my Oil Tank.

The only reason I opened the Cowling was there was some oil seeping from the left side cowl seam. I suspected a pushrod seal or rocker cover gasket. A quarter turn and alls well again, while I had the Engine compartment opened up I looked around, didn’t see anything at all — Except some water on the rim of the flange on the bottom of the oil tank drain. I just reached in to wipe it with my finger and behold a tiny steady stream of water. It took about 10-15 seconds and the water changed to oil. It was cold and thick but had the engine been running and the oil at +70*C, I believe it would have run its self dry in a very short time.

The problem appears to be the result of many years of sludge and condensation buildup on the bottom of the oil tank. I found approximately 3/8 inch of tarry thick sludge in the bottom of my tank. Overtime the water corrodes the tank from the inside out and you can loose all your engine oil in short time; hopefully not at 9000 ft over Lake Erie!
I really believe it is to everyone’s advantage to at least inspect your tank at the next oil change. It would be a terrible shame for anyone to burn up a good Engine or break your Plane, or worse, just because of a few ounces of water in the wrong place.

James E. Baldwin
N4054M