912 Heating issues
in 912 / 914 Technical Questions
11 years ago
Sorry for two questions at once but I believe these issues may be compounding each other.
I have a new 912 ULS installed in a new Kitfox which I'm readying for first flight.
First I have installed one of the oil thermostats (perma cool). I followed the complete oil purge process by Rotax after installation and have good oil pressure and no loose tappets. However the thermostat does not seem to be opening. Oil temps on the ground in static operations have gotten as high as 220 degrees.
These operations are without a cowling and associated ducting for the oil cooler and radiator. Also the body of the thermostat gets warm on the one side, but the hoses and inlets to the oil cooler never show any warmth to the touch. (I have re-verified correct plumbing and an A&P do the same).
Have you ever had one of these stick (closed)?
To add insult to injury I'm having almost the same problem with the radiator installation. Ground ops with Evans coolant have resulted in temperatures approaching 300 degrees F. Today was the third time I have run the engine and while I had to add about a 1.5 cups of coolant the previous two times, this time the spider tank took only about half a cup to fill.
Again the system doesn't seem to be circulating, past the Ts for the cabin heat radiator. I have the shutoff valve for the cabin heat closed in an effort to ensure flow through the radiator but the inlets to the radiator never get warm to the touch. Based on temperature the flow only progresses to the tees for the cabin heat feeds.
I don't believe there is air trapped in the system and I'm at a loss for a cause other than a possible waterpump issue. I did pull and rotate the housing for hose installation, replaced the gasket and all appropriate sealing washers, during the build.
Any insights on airlock possibilities or troubleshooting approaches would be welcome.
Tom
I have a new 912 ULS installed in a new Kitfox which I'm readying for first flight.
First I have installed one of the oil thermostats (perma cool). I followed the complete oil purge process by Rotax after installation and have good oil pressure and no loose tappets. However the thermostat does not seem to be opening. Oil temps on the ground in static operations have gotten as high as 220 degrees.
These operations are without a cowling and associated ducting for the oil cooler and radiator. Also the body of the thermostat gets warm on the one side, but the hoses and inlets to the oil cooler never show any warmth to the touch. (I have re-verified correct plumbing and an A&P do the same).
Have you ever had one of these stick (closed)?
To add insult to injury I'm having almost the same problem with the radiator installation. Ground ops with Evans coolant have resulted in temperatures approaching 300 degrees F. Today was the third time I have run the engine and while I had to add about a 1.5 cups of coolant the previous two times, this time the spider tank took only about half a cup to fill.
Again the system doesn't seem to be circulating, past the Ts for the cabin heat radiator. I have the shutoff valve for the cabin heat closed in an effort to ensure flow through the radiator but the inlets to the radiator never get warm to the touch. Based on temperature the flow only progresses to the tees for the cabin heat feeds.
I don't believe there is air trapped in the system and I'm at a loss for a cause other than a possible waterpump issue. I did pull and rotate the housing for hose installation, replaced the gasket and all appropriate sealing washers, during the build.
Any insights on airlock possibilities or troubleshooting approaches would be welcome.
Tom
