Leak prevention from dry sump tank
 

What is the best method to keep oil from running back from the the dry sump tank to oil pan, after engine shut down ?

The only method I know is, a manual ball valve in the pressure line. However, if the engine is started without opening the ball valve, there will be an instant engine failure.

How do you have it rigged now?

Tank to pump,nothing in between.

How about an air or electric actuated ball valve or two way solenoid valve. The acuated ball valve could be wired in so the engine could not start unless it is open. You can get them with switches to give an open or closed signal.

How does Mercury Racing rig their dry sump tanks?

Cat,
Check out page 54 at http://www.xrp.com/XRPCatalog.pdf
Maybe these flapper style check valves would work

The electric gate is a possible....Concern for that method includes, constant electrical load/draw while the ignition circuit is closed. Another concern, potential of the gate circuit failing while the ignition circuit is closed. Last,while all circuits are operating properly,the valve is at some risk of partially opening or even, not at all.

Ben, I don't know how Mercury plumbs their dry sump...good point, let's research that.

Ben, that flapper valve is a good find on your part ! The flappers we have for the valve covers work like XRP describes theirs. Concern with ours, as XRP explains, the valve opens easily with only a slight hydraulic columne load.

Incidently Ben, we ordered several valves at once

Cat,
I asked a race shop owner/friend about dry sump rigging. He said that he wouldn't run any type check valve in the system as it might cause problems and isn't needed. He said just mount the oil filter higher that the oil level in the tank and nothing drains at shut down. The exception maybe the short line from the filter to the return point at engine...doesn't matter as it will fill instantly at start up.
Why valves of any type unless to clean out the oil system or maybe change the oil?

Ben, Reasons for thinking of a valve include;

1. oil change

2. tilt trailer

3. extended storage/siphon leak

I extended part of the above dialog to safeguard against encouraging someone to ultimately create a failure.

Did you get my PM ?

Simple/stupid..........
Could you lower the tank and/or loop the pump outlet above the high oil level in the tank?