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Chuck, about the radiator that clogged - was it A/C cores or a real
radiator?
What kind of screen did you use? What is the terminology for "mesh holes
per square inch" or whatever for when I go shopping? Sounds like I
definitely want a screen. I wonder how many guys fought high temps and may
have had blockage like yours.
David Carter
----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul" <sqpilot@bellsouth.net>
To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2005 10:37 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: FW: Cooling system update
MessageHey, Chuck...thanks for sharing that info with us. Really glad to
hear about your temps. Mine were similar with a Griffin radiator. Paul
Conner
----- Original Message ----- From: Chuck Dunlap
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2005 10:28 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] FW: Cooling system update
My coolant temperature has been rising little by little over the 440
hours I have been flying my 13B. Last summer on the way to Arlington fly-in,
I departed St George Utah at 100 degrees OAT and the coolant temp quickly
rose to 230, my absolute maximum allowable. I could not climb above pattern
altitude, so I landed. I cobbled together a water dribble system out of drip
irrigation tubing, and it allowed me to continue the trip. After returning
home I decided something had to be done. After checking everything I could
think of, I removed the radiator, and after careful inspection, I found
debris clogging much of the core that was visible. Some of it was bits of
silicone used to help seal the couplings, and some of it looked like scale
from the water jackets.I cleaned out as much as I could get to, and I made a
screen out of stainless mesh and inserted in line inside one of the 1 1/2"
silicone hose couplings. I flew it like that for about 10 hours while I had
a new radiator made by Griffin Radiator. Coolant temps were better, but
still not acceptable. I got the new radiator installed yesterday, and I foun
d the screen already 3/4 clogged with more scale debris.
Today I flew it with the new radiator, and at OAT of about 65 F a full
power climb out at 80 KIAS resulted in the coolant temp stabilizing at 167
F. I am not running a thermostat, and part throttle cruise coolant temp was
about 130F. Descending out of 10000 ft the coolant temp dropped to about
110F, and my cabin heat was practically nil. Looks like I need cowl flaps
now! I am actually looking forward to some 100 degree days this summer to
see how it cools now. If a 35 degree rise in OAT results in the same rise in
coolant temp, I predict that my max coolant temp will not go above 202 F.
My coolant temp rise problem has been so gradual, while other things were
being changed around, that the possibility of a clogged radiator did not
even cross my mind.
Lessons learned: 1. Keep good flight data and refer to if often, the only
way to catch gradual trends.
2. A cooling system in an aircraft definitely needs some sort of screen or
filter. I may try one of these http://www.babymall.com.au/tefba/
3. 230 F does not seem to have hurt my 13B, I have probably 10 total hours
flying at that temp.
Keep the shiny side up!
Chuck Dunlap
N616RV 13B
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