Tape on radiator

[procharger]

2007 CT at what outside temp. should I put some tape on to keep heat up on engine, this will be the first cold weather I will be flying in?? In Va. its starting to get cool

this weekend. low 40's at night 50's during day.thanks

[FlyingMonkey]

Thanks for asking this procharger, I was just thinking I need this information also since it's starting to hit 50s here in the day (38 last night!). And thanks Roger for the great answer.

[sandpiper]

When it stays 50F or less I need tape. Then I have to decide if it's a 1, 2, or 3 strip day! There are cockpit adjustable shutters available but you would probably need to go ELSA to be legal because I doubt FD would do a LOA.

[FlyingMonkey]

Clarifying Roger, do you put 2" tape across the entire width of the radiator?

[paul m]

A picture would be worth a thousand words....

[Mike]

I use tape all year round :-) 2'' and 4" in the winter any time now :-)

[Doug G.]

I have an oil thermostat and temps do not seem to be an issue. And I live where cold really means cold.

[Mike]

I have oil thermostat for mine had it. year now haven't got round to fitting it ,where about's on the engine have you fitted yours ?

cheers Mike

[Doug G.]

I did not install it, it was on the plane when I bought it. I will post a picture when I get out to the hangar. It may take a few days - dealing with some health issues with my mother.

All I can say is that it is on the passenger side of the engine. Without looking, I can't even say how the hoses are routed.

[Jacques]

thermostat AND tape(s)

 

Mike, that's where FD install it.

[Doug G.]

Yup, that looks like it.

[Doug G.]

Jaques, you still use tape? I bought the tape, but have not seen a need for it.

[Jacques]

needed the tape for the PermaCool thermostat , because it opens to low...180°F

 

I'm changing for the Thermostatis model ...with a higher temp operation

[Jim Meade]

The CTLS cowling seems to line up with the radiators much better than the CTSW does. Not a scientific analysis, just an observation of a couple of planes. I wish my cowling openings were more in line with the radiator and might consider modifications to make it so. Mine is experimental.

It's too bad we have to use tape to control oil temperatures. At least the Dynamik has an adjustable louver. It would be nice if the CTSW also had some pilot controlled way to manage oil temp in flight.

[sandpiper]

Jim - there is a guy on the forum who sold in cockpit adjustable shutters. Should work for ELSA. The shutter is held in place with tie wraps so it can come off during summer.

[opticsguy]

I've flown with tape in the '80s and still couldn't get the oil over 200F. It's a must for temps below 70F.

[Jim Meade]

The radiators in the CTSW or LS can be moved and made to fit the openings better.

 

That is on my agenda this winter. That is also the time to do some fiberglass work if needed. Lots of room for productive tweaking of the air flow. That is the reason for my question a couple of months ago on any studies of under cowl air flow.

 

I remember the post on the shutters. I have an oil thermostat I'm going to put on. That will help warm up.

[FlyingMonkey]

I put a strip across the top of the radiator today. It was 51 degrees, and throughout the flight oil temps never got much above 180 degrees. After letting the engine warm the CHT was about 210, but dropped back to 180 also when in the air. I added another strip overlapping the top strip by half since that is still too cool, will post results after flying tomorrow.

[FlyingMonkey]

One and a half strips of tape (overlapping) is too much. Oil temps 230ish, CHTs 250ish. Made one circuit of the pattern, then shut down and pulled the second strip of tape. Now both are around 200. Will revisit if it gets colder.

[Ed Cesnalis]

...Will revisit if it gets colder.

 

Winter is giving it another go, this is my back deck this morning. Ski area opens next week if not sooner.

 

[FlyingMonkey]

You'll need more tape, CT!

 

I think I would have been fine if the temps had stayed in the 40s-50s, but it warmed up to 61 when I took the test flight.

[paul m]

 

Winter is giving it another go, this is my back deck this morning. Ski area opens next week if not sooner.

 

 

Ed, I don't know how you do it.

[Ed Cesnalis]

I have to shovel a foot of the 'No real winter' :huh: snow off of my deck so we can grill dinner on the Weber.

[FlyingMonkey]

What is the minimum oil temp for takeoff? My gauge has a red line at about 120 and the green arc starts at 180 I think. It takes forever for the oil to get to 180 if I wait on the ground, probably 30 minutes...I usually start taxiing when it hits 140. It warms up quicker on climb out.

[Jim Meade]

8.3 of the CTSW POH says 51°C or 124°F for takeoff. It's in the pre-flight instructions. I'm sure Roger is right that 120° is adequate, I'm only pointing out the reference.