BIGGER oil cooler, anyone tried it?

seagull · #1 08-11-2022, 01:00 PM

For those of us that live and fly in the HOT south west. Keeping oil temps reasonable on full power climb outs requires step climbing, or power reduction. It seems if we could get 20% more efficiency from the oil cooler it would solve the problem.
Does anyone know of another oil cooler that would fit without excessive cowl modifications?

Dvalcik · #2 08-12-2022, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seagull

For those of us that live and fly in the HOT south west. Keeping oil temps reasonable on full power climb outs requires step climbing, or power reduction. It seems if we could get 20% more efficiency from the oil cooler it would solve the problem.
Does anyone know of another oil cooler that would fit without excessive cowl modifications?

What are your temps avg on climb out and max?

seagull · #3 08-12-2022, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dvalcik

What are your temps avg on climb out and max?

I back off RPM at 240f, on a 100 degree day that will usually get me 2000', if I stay at full power it will keep climbing in temp. I have checked the calibration on the sending unit / Dynon with heated oil removed from the engine and the Dynon is accurate.

I have flown it this way for 3 years / 650 hrs, it is manageable, I am looking for an improvement.

NinerBikes · #4 08-12-2022, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seagull

I back off RPM at 240f, on a 100 degree day that will usually get me 2000', if I stay at full power it will keep climbing in temp. I have checked the calibration on the sending unit / Dynon with heated oil removed from the engine and the Dynon is accurate.

I have flown it this way for 3 years / 650 hrs, it is manageable, I am looking for an improvement.

What does Van's claim for improvement with their newly designed and improved $1900 exhaust system? An expensive solution, I know.

Have not heard anyone making comments about hot oil temps with the 912 IS in the RV-12IS package, yet.

seagull · #5 08-12-2022, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NinerBikes

Have not heard anyone making comments about hot oil temps with the 912 IS in the RV-12IS package, yet.

The 912is has a completely different cowl. Both radiators are up front, there are NACA scoops on both sides. A lot more area to let air in for cooling.
How much difference is made in oil temp having the muffler spacing 1.2" (legacy with mod), or 3.5" (current 912is), is questionable.

RicoB · #6 08-12-2022, 12:09 PM

What is this new exhaust? I have t heard anything about it

NinerBikes · #7 08-12-2022, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RicoB

What is this new exhaust? I have t heard anything about it

Just a reminder, my friend, this is the RV-12 forum that's Rotax powered... not your 320 powered RV-9A, so it won't affect your bird. Or are you thinking of getting a 12IS ?

https://vansairforce.net/community/s...d.php?t=126843

RFSchaller · #8 08-14-2022, 12:43 AM

I have a legacy RV-12. I’m considering enlarging the air inlet in front of the oil cooler. Has anyone tried that? I’m reluctant to do it because if it causes more problems reversing the mod will really look ugly.

seagull · #9 08-14-2022, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RFSchaller

I have a legacy RV-12. I’m considering enlarging the air inlet in front of the oil cooler. Has anyone tried that? I’m reluctant to do it because if it causes more problems reversing the mod will really look ugly.

I have considered the same thing but am not sure the current oil cooler can do much more. Yesterday I added a temporary baffle in the plenum to direct more air to the oil cooler and less to the water radiator. It did its job redirecting the air based on higher coolant temps but didn’t really reduce oil temp.

I have a couple more non invasive ideas to try this week.

I heard Rotax did change the oil cooler part number, I wonder if the new one is more efficient.

cactusman · #10 08-14-2022, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seagull

For those of us that live and fly in the HOT south west. Keeping oil temps reasonable on full power climb outs requires step climbing, or power reduction. It seems if we could get 20% more efficiency from the oil cooler it would solve the problem.
Does anyone know of another oil cooler that would fit without excessive cowl modifications?

I think most of us bit the bullet and moved the oil cooler forward by 1-1.5" by modifying the cowl. There was quite an extensive tutorial on here by one of the super-builders (Joe or Tony?) but the pics might have disappeared it was a long time ago. I did it and was dreading it but recall it wasn't really that bad. Of course if yours is already painted I get the reluctance.

Usually in PHX in summer oil temp will hit 220-230 pretty quickly - cruise climb helps. As does leveling off.

That said I was considering upgrading to the Flightlines and Thermostasis oil system and getting the new cooler at the same time when I hit the 10 year oil line replacement mark.

https://store.vansaircraft.com/886-015.html