WHICH Evans coolant to use?

by Al C in 912 / 914 Technical Questions 9 years ago

Just got a Tecnam with Rotax 912ULS.

Unlike our older 912UL this one had Evans coolant put in it a couple of years ago.
I know that Rotax isn't pushing Evans as hard as it once was, and that the other coolants are fine, but since it's in there already figure I'd keep it.

But want to have a little extra around in case I ever need to top it up.
(I know adding more than a tiny trace of water to Evans is a general no-no,
and AFAIK shouldn't add other coolants to it.)

Looks like minimal quantity I can buy is half gallon, even though I don't expect to likely need more than a cupful, if that, ever.

So went shopping for lowest cost source.
Found quite a price range for half a gallon..... approx $45 down to about $17.
Found inexpensive source on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Evans-1012PF-Waterless-Powersports-Coolant/dp/B00R69MDCG?SubscriptionId=AKIAIKBZ7IH7LXTW3ARA&&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00R69MDCG&tag=wwwbookcompar-20&ascsubtag=558f79a9b9cc5f2dd467ddcf

BUT I note that Evans makes three different formulations:
"1.Vintage Cool 180° is specially formulated for increased yellow metals and the more porous cast metal parts found in Vintage engines.
2.Classic Cool 180° is specially formulated for engines with more cast steel and iron, with reduced levels of copper and the introduction of aluminum products.
3.Power Cool 180° is specially formulated for high performance engines."
Not sure if they can mix and match.

Anyone know if the one for sale at Amazon is appropriate?
"Evans 1012PF Waterless Powersports Coolant"

All replies appreciated.

Al

Re: WHICH Evans coolant to use?

by Roger Lee » 9 years ago

Roger Lee

128 5.28k 4.98k

Hi Al,

This may be a better question about mixing either of the three directly with Evans unless it states something on their website. Unless the coolant in the system has a color you may not be able to tell which one is in there.

Most have gotten away from Evans because it carries a 20F-30F temp penalty depending on the application. This put many up to and or over the max temp for the engine. Open air engines usually didn't have an issue, but tight cowl engines did. A water based 50/50 coolant does a better job of absorbing and exchanging heat than Evans because of the water. The other reason many have moved away from Evans is that it is costly and if you need to add, the owners with 50/50 can use more 50/50 coolant or just distilled water.

Roger Lee
LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
520-349-7056 Cell

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Re: WHICH Evans coolant to use?

by Al C » 9 years ago

Al C

63 138 106

Hi Al,

This may be a better question about mixing either of the three directly with Evans unless it states something on their website. Unless the coolant in the system has a color you may not be able to tell which one is in there.

.........Most have gotten away from Evans because it carries a 20F-30F temp penalty depending on the application. This put many up to and or over the max temp for the engine. Open air engines usually didn't have an issue, but tight cowl engines did.........

Thanks for your, as usual, considered advice, Roger.

Good point about finding out if they're mixable from Evans(will go to Evans and try to find that out) because in the engine log the note on installing Evans doesn't say WHICH one is in there. I MIGHT be able to find out by calling the A&P guy who did that 3 years ago.

As for the reported issue of the engines running hot because Evans doesn't have as high heat transfer capacity:
All I can say is that in OUR case both Rotax engines I have (the old 80HP on a Skyranger, newer 100 on Tecnam), both under pretty tight cowls, (one with traditional coolant, one with Evans) both run very much on the COOL side, even when climbing with outdoor temps high. So much so that even in the summer we have to put some aluminum tape over part of either the oil radiator, coolant radiator, or both to get them to run up in optimum tempurature ranges for oil for decent part of the flight.
So much so that we're thinking of putting on the oil line an optional thermostat Tecnam approves.

Al

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Re: WHICH Evans coolant to use?

by Roger Lee » 9 years ago

Roger Lee

128 5.28k 4.98k

Hi Al,
I guess I should ask what high OAT's are? High OAT to me is 95F-110F. Probably because I live in Tucson, AZ in the desert.

If you're running low temps in the hot summer months with Evans I would make sure it really is Evans in the engine and wasn't changed and not logged. A little surprising the Evans is running as cool as the 50/50/.

Roger Lee
LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
520-349-7056 Cell

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Re: WHICH Evans coolant to use?

by Al C » 9 years ago

Al C

63 138 106

Hi Roger,

I should have been specific.
High OAT for me is anything over 90F.
Been up in as high as 100F, climbing, full loaded, with still a bit of aluminum tape over oil cooler and not seeing oil or water temp climb out of optimal zone.

Can see how the lesser heat transfer capacity of Evans could become an issue faster in Arizona than Oregon.

Still, on net, with both our Rotax engines, running cool has been more of an issue that running hot ever has been. Much easier issue to deal with than running hot. ;)

I suppose it's possible the Evans which is in the log as installed 2012 has been removed.
The previous owners were not the type to do that sort of thing without documenting it.
And, although I'm not out at the airport right now to look at the color of the coolant if I remember right it was gray(?)..... definitely not the bright orange or green of conventional coolant.

Al

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WHICH Evans coolant to use?

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