|
-
POSTING RULES

-
Donate yearly (please).
-
Advertise in here!
-
Today's Posts
|
Insert Pics
|

09-12-2010, 08:48 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 801
|
|
Oil Cooler Fittings - Steel or Aluminum?
What's the conventional wisdom for the material for hose fittings that screw into the oil cooler? I try to uses steel fittings FWF whenever I can, but wondered which is best for this application. Thanks
__________________
Jim Shannon
RV-8 N52VV
Charlottesville, VA
AFS 4500 EFIS & 3400 EFIS/EM
G430W - SL30 - G327 - G696 - G240
TT DigiFlight II VSVG w/pitch autotrim
VP-X Pro
|

09-12-2010, 08:52 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newport, TN
Posts: 7,496
|
|
The problem with using aluminum on the cooler is more about the threads galding and you never being able to get them out if you need to.
Those are some beefy fittings and I doubt anyone has ever seen one break in that application under normal use.
|

09-12-2010, 09:09 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 801
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brantel
The problem with using aluminum on the cooler is more about the threads galding and you never being able to get them out if you need to.
Those are some beefy fittings and I doubt anyone has ever seen one break in that application under normal use.
|
Thanks for the response. I did read somewhere that once the fittings have been in for a while you shouldn't try to remove them. If they're in good you run the risk of damaging the cooler trying to get them off.
__________________
Jim Shannon
RV-8 N52VV
Charlottesville, VA
AFS 4500 EFIS & 3400 EFIS/EM
G430W - SL30 - G327 - G696 - G240
TT DigiFlight II VSVG w/pitch autotrim
VP-X Pro
|

09-12-2010, 09:14 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
|
|
I rarely see anything BUT aluminum used in the oil cooler or engine case. I also can't recall ever running across galled threads if teflon paste or another anti-seize is used. Finally, I have never seen one break.
I'm sure all these conditions have occurred somewhere to someone, but I would say they are generally rare.
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.
Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
|

09-12-2010, 02:55 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Paso Robles, CA
Posts: 1,177
|
|
Stay safe! Forward of the firewall.
Depending on vibration, length, rigidity of hoses
I would play it safe. If the fittings are less than -8 on the cone end and/or less than 3/8 npt. on the other end, I would use Cad Plated Steel. The cad plated fittings have a color that is Black or yellowish gold. Along with being more durable they will also withstand a higher temperature in case of fire.
I would apply this practice to Fuel and Oil Systems.
It's your thing, do what you want to do. 
|

09-12-2010, 04:17 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
|
|
It is quite common...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Toobuilder
I rarely see anything BUT aluminum used in the oil cooler or engine case. I also can't recall ever running across galled threads if teflon paste or another anti-seize is used. Finally, I have never seen one break.
I'm sure all these conditions have occurred somewhere to someone, but I would say they are generally rare.
|
...and I remember it happened to Dan C. on his RV-7 when his web site was up...
He had Pacific Oil Coolers fix it, and their comments on aluminum fittings are here -
http://www.oilcoolers.com/article_oil_cooler_woes.asp
I wouldn't worry too much about the thicker large size fittings melting - heck your case would melt first - but galling is likely.... 
__________________
Gil Alexander
EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
|

09-12-2010, 09:08 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by az_gila
...and I remember it happened to Dan C. on his RV-7 when his web site was up...
|
I'll give you that NPT fittings aren't exactly "maintenance friendly", but they rarely need to be removed, so in that respect, galling is not an "issue".
Quote:
Originally Posted by az_gila
...I wouldn't worry too much about the thicker large size fittings melting - heck your case would melt first - but galling is likely.... 
|
Its funny that people worry so much about aluminum fittings and lines FWF in case of fire, but completely overlook the paper thin aluminum oil cooler in their risk assessment. I wonder how long the cooler would last with the 1600 degree blowtorch test... 10 -15 seconds?
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.
Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
|

09-13-2010, 04:47 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Martinsville, IN
Posts: 2,326
|
|
Firewall forward on lines that vibrate, I prefer steel due to the potential for breakage. This is particularly true for big -6 and -8 lines for fuel and oil. Lots of aluminum fittings in use as well, just a preference.
__________________
Randy Pflanzer
Greenwood, IN
www.pflanzer-aviation.com
Paid through 2043!
Lund fishing Boat, 2017, GONE FISHING
RV-12 - Completed 2014, Sold
427 Shelby Cobra - Completed 2012, Sold
F1 EVO - partially completed, Sold
F1 Rocket - Completed 2005, Sold
RV-7A - Partially completed, Sold
RV-6 - Completed 2000, Sold
Long-EZ - Completed 1987, Sold
|

09-13-2010, 07:14 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 305
|
|
Advice from Pacific Oil Cooler Service Website
see http://www.oilcoolers.com/article_oil_cooler_woes.asp
_________________________________________
DAMAGED THREAD ISSUES
.......................
VERY IMPORTANT:
......... In fact, throw all aluminum fittings as far away as you can from the work you are doing - and use steel fittings instead. Steel fittings, when installed with some type of lubricant on the threads, will almost never gall, bind up, or damage the threads of an aluminum oil cooler. In addition, steel fittings will un-screw cleanly from the cooler - even many decades later. None of these things can be truthfully said about aluminum fittings.
Steel is the fitting material of choice if you want to avoid damaging the threads of an aluminum oil cooler. Additionally, steel fittings will un-screw from the oil cooler cleanly and with no thread damage, even many years later. No matter what they?re made of, never ever screw fittings into an aluminum oil cooler without first applying some form of thread lubrication - and use aluminum fittings only as a last-ditch resort.
If you must use aluminum fittings for some reason, make sure that the threads are clean and defect-free, use Teflon tape or an anti-seize lubricant made for use on threads, and work slowly and carefully as you begin screwing the fitting into the oil cooler (and cross your fingers, also).
When pipe-threads are involved, be sure that the fitting is going to snug down and achieve a seal before the shoulders above the threaded portion of the fitting come in contact with the top of the boss on the cooler. When the shoulders on the fitting touch - or come anywhere close to - the top of the oil cooler?s boss before a seal is made, it means that the threads in the cooler have lost their taper and the cooler must be replaced.
________________________________
Bill Brooks
Ottawa, Canada
RV-6A finishing kit
|

09-19-2010, 09:21 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: 8I3
Posts: 3,564
|
|
Relentless at Reno
Got some photos today in an email that showed the root cause of Relentless losing its prop was due to oil starvation from a broken aluminum AN fitting for one of the oil cooler lines on the accessory case. Loss of oil pressure caused the prop to run away.
__________________
Please don't PM me! Email only!
Bob Japundza CFI A&PIA
N9187P PA-24-260B Comanche, flying
N678X F1 Rocket, under const.
N244BJ RV-6 "victim of SNF tornado" 1200+ hrs, rebuilding
N8155F C150 flying
N7925P PA-24-250 Comanche, restoring
Not a thing I own is stock.
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:43 AM.
|