From: "David Leonard" <Daveleonard@cox.net>
To: "'Rotary motors in aircraft'" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Subject: RE: [FlyRotary] Re: Cooling Problem Identified
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 09:27:41 -0700
Message-ID: <000301c42562$12f42770$6be06f44@Leonards>
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> 
> >Well, I finally discovered the cause of my inability to circulate
> >coolant...  Rust.  Upon taking the engine apart to replace the
coolant
> >o-rings I discovered the massive amounts of rust shown in the
picture.
> >And this picture does not even do it justice.  The rust was so thick
it
> >was not allowing any coolant to flow.  This is the front side
housing,
> >but the others were just as bad.
> >
> 
>    This points out how important it is to do a flow test early in
> the troubleshooting process.  How much time was spent - with the
> system, and on-line - trying to isolate the non-causes?  Knowing
> how long it takes to fill a 5 gallon container will tell a person
> some very significant information about the cooling system.  Ummm,
> okay, knowing how long it *should* take is an important part of
> that, too.
> 
>    David, I grieve with you over the loss of the center and end
> housings.  I hope you find an inexpensive source for some
> replacements.
> 
> Dale R.
> COZY MkIV-R #1254
> 

I don't think flow testing would have helped me.  I knew that a lack of
flow was my problem, no testing required.  The question was why.  In my
case the only way to diagnose was the same as the cure, take the engine
apart and have a look.

BTW, now that I have it apart it is easy to see why the coolant (or air)
gets stuck in lots of small pockets.  To get the coolant out I recommend
turning the engine on end and shaking it :-)

Dave Leonard