Re: Rotax 912iS overheating
You can make a fiber glass plenum to direct air over the fins. Are you running an oil cooler? What size is your rad?
Re: Rotax 912iS overheating
Ofergd,
Which coolant are you using? Rotax approves either evans waterless or ethylene glycol mix.
Although we did not have an overheating issue - the glycol mix (Dexcool mixed 60%) resulted in 20 degrees F lower running temp than the Evans under similar conditions. This also resulted in a lower oil temp.
Have you verified the accuracy of your temp indicator? They have been known to lie a little on occasion. Reading the instrument while boiling the probe in plain water should show 212 F or a little lower if you live at a higher elevation.
Re: Rotax 912iS overheating
200 F is okay for oil temp. you want to hit 212 F oil temp at some point in your flight.
Re: Rotax 912iS overheating
I'm using a Rotax approved coolant, but I don't remember which type. I have the Rotax 912iS engine which has an ECU and I get all reading by computer communication to my display, so I have to believe it is pretty accurate.
I was thinking of making a plenum, but it seems a lot of work. Did anyone make one for the 912? If so, pictures please. . .
The engine is mostly running LoP therefore it is running hotter.
Re: Rotax 912iS overheating
What is your ambient temp during the test flight? In a fairly warm ambient, the 200F oil temp is not a problem at all.
Don't use Evans waterless coolant. It has fallen out of favor with Rotax, and I believe it is no longer on the approved list.
Re: Rotax 912iS overheating
The ambient temps here at this season is around 70 deg F. i'm worried about the temperatures we expect in summer at around 110 deg F.
I know oil temps are relatively OK. The problem is with the water temps especially on the ground during taxiing.
OferGd
Re: Rotax 912iS overheating
HI Ofer
I to have a 912is sport - Yes, the oil temps are fine - very similar to what I get - in fact it is hard to get the oil temp up to the recommended 100"c during the cooler months. As for the coolant - I don't have any issues on the ground but on hot days it can get up to 110'c on climb - it settles in cruise - Mine is a SS7 so is different - I would be looking at airflow if you are already using the recommended coolant (which mostly have a boiling point of 130'c) sounds like you have a different airflow as others have suggested.
r
Re: Rotax 912iS overheating
Sounds great.
Can you send some pictures of your installation. Where the radiator is installed and how? and what is the air intake look like?
I need some ideas for improvement. I have the round bumpy cowl and it is hard to make the intake at the point where the rear and front cowls attach.
Re: Rotax 912iS overheating
Have a look here offer -
http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/sho...t=5029&page=15
and there are many more to give you the idea of how the airflow happens in the SS7. I think it could also be worth chatting with John at the factory about his thoughts of how to best modify your KF4 for the 912is sport.
good luck
ross