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Radiator fix available
- Thread starter Brantel
- Start date
I hope they have a source for radiators that can keep up with demand.
I know that the original radiator was definitely a problem but what about version 2? I haven't seen a lot of reports of leaking so far for the RV12IS RADIATOR-1.
I have to wonder how they're going to handle builders that have been waiting for the backordered RADIATOR-1? RADIATOR-2 + OIL COOLER-1 + new mounting kit? Or just send out RADIATOR-1 and mount by the previous method? And if the latter, shouldn't there be a supply of the -1 radiators on hand, since none have been shipped in almost a year? This is the last thing I'm waiting on for my build, and I can't schedule my AC inspection (or even test run the engine) until I have it.
According to the SL, it should be included in kits shipped after 9/30/2025.
If it is backordered, just cancel it. Brian, I am not familiar with the design failure issue, could you summarize how the design was changed please.
Edit: OK reading many posts it is back to Vans for using an apparently inferior component. Radiators (forever) can not take much twisting and if the cores fail the perimeter has to be reinforced, or validate that the furnace brazing process is up to the task. People must be trained to report these things to Vans and hope they listen. The poor step design on the 6 and 7 were perfect examples. It took years for Van himself to "see" it then it was solved for ever. QC (in all its tentacles) was not Vans forte in the past.
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Since it is part of a kit, I don’t think I can.
The radiator and oil cooler now mount to the cowl with a quick release design. When you remove the cowl, they are released and hang on a couple of cables.
Not so simple. If you are building ELSA (as I think most RV-12 builders are), you are beholden to Van’s for every part that goes into the plane. The radiator is a custom Van’s design, and differs from the standard Rotax radiator. A hangar neighbor brought over a Rotax-made radiator last week, and it is quite different from the Van’s unit. Even if it could be made to fit with a lot of modification, the plane would become EAB and no longer eligible for ELSA.
The kit that covers this service letter includes a redesigned radiator and oil cooler. This makes my back ordered radiator and the oil cooler I have are now basically paperweights. Maybe I can sell them to someone that does not do the upgrade and has a leak.
I don't think you would have trouble selling your current parts to non-upgraded builders. I have no intention of changing mine to the new design unless/until I have a leak, and even then if there was a direct replacement to be had I may favor that. I don't think I'm the only one who is just fine with the original design as long as we can keep it running that way.
Your understanding is incorrect. It's not in the articles because this change to 'only "amateur built" designation' is something you have imagined based on not understanding the rule change. Please be careful about de-railing threads with rule changes you are just guessing at. The ELSA process and requirements are the same, it just applies to a broader performance envelope. EABs still exist as a separate thing.
The manufacturer can not have it both ways - It is an ELSA for a reason - to keep the original proven design intact. But if that design fails it should not be the responsibility of the builder to foot the cost of investigation and replacement. If the design is sacrosanct, then the control of the reliability (failure) of the "system" and all of its components go back to the manufacturer. Why else have and ESLA?? What value is it to the builder/owner?
Send the part back and get a refund, or credit against the replacement design.
Upon completion, as I understand it, an ELSA is an Experimental-LSA, and you CAN modify it. At least that's what the FAA told me. Getting the elsa designation does require initial conformance to the S-LSA. Major mods require a new phase one. This has nothing to do with E-AB.
I sure wish it worked that way in aviation.
