----- Original Message -----

From: Ken Welter

To: Rotary motors in aircraft

Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2005 11:07 PM

Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: complete loss of coolant?

  Done it did it been there.

 I was reaching in my engine cowling trying to attach a vacuum line and apparently knocked the radiator cap loose with my elbow, on takeoff I noticed the water temp shoot up and I made a 180 and pulled the power back and glided in for a landing.

  The engine was completely toasted, much worst than loosing oil, the side housings, rotor housings, and rotors were all toast and this was with less than one minute at full power.

  Ken

Greetings, 

 

We've established what happens if the engine runs out of oil.   What about coolant?  If the system sprang a leak, and you continued to run at cruise power,  will it eventually seize, similar to the oil out?  I can't say I've heard of that happening, but most people probably quit before they get to that point.  I'm thinking it would seize though.  

 

The reason I'm wondering has to do with thoughts of a backup water pump.  I'll almost certainly use only the DC EWP on the single  rotor, but I'm wondering if a second one is needed.  I could live with the loss of the engine due to warping, if it didn't cause it to seize in short order. 

 

Cheers,

Rusty  (ports, and more ports)