Any body else out there order this kit? I need you to check something for me.
I have not installed the exhaust kit yet and I am still in the assembly stage of my legacy RV-12 build. Engine is waiting to be installed after I get the new engine mount bracket. But after examining the KAI 48 Exhaust System drawings it would appear that the individual tubes with the kit were miss-marked for the cylinder they go to. There are no actual part numbers on the tubes, just paper labels with the cylinder number written on them and taped to the tubes. It appears that the one labelled 1 may actually be for cyl. 3, labelled 2 may actually be for cyl. 1, labelled 3 may actually be for cyl. 2, and labelled 4 is okay. As I mentioned I have not tried to install these yet so this is not verified.
Dear RV-12 Builder/Owner,
We recently shipped you a new EX-00044 exhaust system for your RV-12 with a Rotax 912 ULS engine.
We’re excited for you to get in installed and flying, but unfortunately we’ve become aware of manufacturing errors in the exhaust system we sent you, which must be corrected. The issues are:
The EGT probe holes were mis-drilled in the EX-00044C pipe for Cyl #3 and the EX-00044D pipe for Cyl #4
The spring hooks are mis-located on the EX-00044B pipe for Cyl #2 , which causes a fit issue within the cowl
Please return the EX-00044C and EX-00044D pipes to Van’s Aircraft for correction. When you provide a copy of receipt for your return shipping cost Van’s will reimburse you. Or, if you prefer, please confirm your address information and Van’s will email you a return shipping label and instructions.
Please discard the EX-00044B pipe, as you will receive a new part and should not use the one you initially received from us.
What we are going to do: The EX-00044C and EX-00044D will be repaired by Van’s. We will plug weld the wrong hole and redrill in the correct location. A new replacement EX-00044B will be provided. All three pieces will be shipped back to you as soon as possible. All of these actions are being taken at Van’s cost.
We apologize for the inconvenience this causes, and we look forward to hearing from you and getting the issue corrected as soon as possible.
Thank you,
The Van’s Aircraft Team
An update. 10 hours on the new exhaust system. Thought I might have some slip joint blow-by (see pic) but upon detailed inspection it was just the cowling hinge working a bit. The slip joints and muffler sockets are clean, tight, and leak free. I did modify the cowling on the left side. I wasn’t happy with the clearance. Not a huge deal (see pic). Due to the spring positioning of the EX-00044 design, I’m betting the occurrence of spring failures have been significantly reduced. All things considered, I’m happy I did it.
I just installed the new Exhaust EX-00044 on my Classic RV12. Some observations. Before the change I was getting a rather high Co2 reading in the cockpit during climb-out. Like 45ppm. Then in cruise it would drop down to 5-10. Even taxiing I had some level of Co2 indicating.
I just did my first flight this morning with the new exhaust and I now have zero Co2 levels in all phases of operation. I knew I had a leak in the old system and I tried shorter springs and other things to try and fix it. Sometimes I could get slight improvements, but still had C02 readings. So I pulled the trigger and ordered the new Exhaust system. It is expensive but I am happy I did it.
And the oil temperature on climb-out is lower as well. The muffler is much further away from the oil cooler, and the results were quite noticeable.
Hopefully you mean CO. Low levels of CO2 in the cockpit should not be a problem.
$1800 for the newer exhaust system, plus shipping, and how many degrees cooler, on average, would you say your oil temperature is on climb out in the summer heat gaining 2000 feet AGL?
Are you experiencing any temperature inversions this summer on climb out?
See if you can note if you're running at 210, 215, 220F at 2000 or 3000 ft AGL on your next flight. Where the oil temp stops going up at on your continuous climbs. I'm interested in the new oil temps delta, how much lower that 230F where it enters the yellow range.
Today's observation in my friends 2016 RV-12 Legacy. Takeoff weight estimated at 1310#, 91 Octane Premium, no ethanol content that can be measured.
OAT 22C at 1020 Elev, Rel Humidity 88% OAC at 2700 27C, climb rate 500 fpm at 5120 Rpm, oil temp 232F, not quite 1700 ft gained. Oil temp at takeoff 142F, upon start of takeoff.