Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #29096
From: Barry Gardner <barrygardner@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Frozen coolant...
Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2006 06:00:23 -0600
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Dave,

You might be too pessimistic. Glycol/water in a 25/75 mix is supposed to protect down to 15 degrees, according to tables I looked up. Low 20's shouldn't have been a problem. Even near the transition point, the mix turns slushy before freezing solid.

Nonetheless, you've obviously got a leak somewhere. Just don't assume the worst until you've confirmed it's true. Is your recent leak fix still holding? First place I'd look.

Pressurizing the system is a good idea. Auto parts stores like Autozone will lend you the coolant system pressure tester that fits in standard  radiator cap openings. Pressurize and see where it leaks. You can also dump in a UV dye indicator (I've bought it at NAPA), run the engine briefly and then look for the leak using a black light. I've used both the pressure tester and UV dye.

Sorry about your troubles.

Barry Gardner
Wheaton, IL

David Leonard wrote:
I flew to Mammoth this weekend for some snow boarding.  Has a great time, and was 210 kts GS on the way up.
 
Parked the plane for two nights and came back out this afternoon for the flight home.  But there was a small puddle of coolant under the engine... and it was still dripping. 
 
Then I remembered.  I recently sprung a leak in a cooling line - while away from home.  After fixing the leak I used tap water to refill what coolant had been lost - about a gallon.  I had forgotten all about that on this latest trip... to the mountains.  I figure the antifreeze level was now down to about 25/75 and the overnight temps in the low 20's did the job.
 
I had to concentrate on getting back home for work tomorrow so I couldn't do much.  I couldn't even take off the lower cowl.
 
I suspect the radiator is cracked somewhere.  Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?  Can this do damage to the engine block?  The radiator is custom and will not be cheap to replace, and it will take a while, and the plane is an 8 hour drive away...  :-(

--
Dave Leonard
Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/rotaryroster/index.html
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vp4skydoc/index.html
Subscribe (FEED) Subscribe (DIGEST) Subscribe (INDEX) Unsubscribe Mail to Listmaster