Silent Hektik oil thermostat

I once wanted to install an oil thermostat on my RV-12iS. After realizing how complicated it was and how it could contribute to engine problems, I decided to buy the winterization kit from Van's. It works perfectly—5 minutes to install in autumn and 5 minutes to remove in spring.

For those of us who don't own RV-12s could you tell us what is involved and how it works. Here in Alaska, it can be quite a challenge to get a Rotax up to operating temperatures. It would be fantastic to have a simple solution.

Ken,

The VANS winterization kit is essentially adjustable baffles that allow you to partially block off the radiators.  Some folks in cold climates do this with aluminum foil tape, leaving only part of the radiators exposed during winter months.  

What you are trying to accomplish - shortening the oil warm-up time - is different and would require an oil thermostat.  My plane came from factory with the inline type Silent Hektik oil thermostat and it works well. I have no experience with the oil pump mounted unit. I did once remove the oil thermostat to see how it affects overall oil cooling, and the max oil temp did not change, so I don’t think it restricts the flow in a significant way.  However, it took considerably longer to reach the minimum oil temp.  The bottom line is that I like it, and I’ve not heard any reports of it causing problems.  It also has a 10% bypass when fully closed, so oil purging with it installed is not a problem. 

Many pilots I know just use aluminum tape across the radiator during colder months. Works just fine.

Jeff Blakeslee wrote:

Ken,

The VANS winterization kit is essentially adjustable baffles that allow you to partially block off the radiators.  Some folks in cold climates do this with aluminum foil tape, leaving only part of the radiators exposed during winter months.  

What you are trying to accomplish - shortening the oil warm-up time - is different and would require an oil thermostat.  My plane came from factory with the inline type Silent Hektik oil thermostat and it works well. I have no experience with the oil pump mounted unit. I did one once remove the oil thermostat to see how it affects overall oil cooling, and the max oil temp did not change, so I don’t think it restricts the flow in a significant way.  However, it took considerably longer to reach the minimum oil temp.  The bottom line is that I like it, and I’ve not heard any reports of it causing problems.  It also has a 10% bypass when fully closed, so oil purging with it installed is not a problem. 

That has been my observation, too. Tape and baffles may work fine for in flight, but not for shortening the warm up time, which under some conditions can be infinite.