----- Original Message -----

From: Tracy Crook

To: Rotary motors in aircraft

Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 9:31 AM

Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Oil temps, O-rings

For another data point, I had coolant temps above 256 degrees when I lost coolant due to a malfunctioning radiator cap.  256 degrees was max range of the GRT EIS I was using at the time so it might have been even higher. I went to low throttle as soon as the alarm went off and flew for about 6 minutes until I got to an airport (in Texas) and landed.   Topped off the engine with tap water, fixed the cap and flew back to Florida.   Engine showed no signs of distress and I put several hundred hours on it after that.  Was using TES water jacket O-rings at the time.

 

One other observation:   The temp warning went off as soon as coolant level fell too low for the pump to work.  The engine still had coolant in it and cooled the engine by boiling off some of the remaining coolant.  Many have felt that it is a weakness with the rotary but I LIKE the pump being high in the system for this reason.  If the pump had been low, it would have continued to pump water until there was almost nothing left.  A temp warning at this point leaves you no grace period and my engine would have been 'toast' after I landed.  As Ed can testify, an engine overhaul away from home is no fun at all.

 

Tracy

 

On Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 7:00 AM, Mark Steitle <msteitle@gmail.com> wrote:

Kelly,
After reading Al's post, I need to make a clarification on my previous oil temp information.  The 245* temps were after the cooler, at the oil filter pad, so who knows what they were coming out of the engine.  Over the last year I've instrumented my oil & water cooling systems so many different ways that I sometimes get confused as to what I'm reading on the EFIS & EM-2.   Presently, I'm taking oil temp readings after the first oil/air cooler, then after the oil/water exchanger (as the oil enters the engine).  I do this to monitor how well each of the oil coolers are working.  Sorry for the confusion.

Mark S.

On Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 12:54 AM, Al Gietzen <ALVentures@cox.net> wrote:

Mark,

    That is the kind of "Real World" info we like to hear.......Particularly

since there is some difference of opinion as to the need or suitability

for the use of the "TES" seals among the group..........

--
Kelly Troyer

My 20B has the stock O-rings, and I've had the engine exit oil up to 235-240 a number of times, coolant temp to 200F – never for very long - no issues. I figure a max short duration limit on the pan temp is 250. Max on oil return, about 220F.  Cruise below 190.

I'm installing an oil/coolant exchanger looking to reduce the oil temp by about 15 degrees.

I had done all my analysis around using a Setrab TOC300, then when ordering found they have stopped making it.  Anyone have one lying around?

Al