procharger Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 50's during the day is about right to start with tape. Just watch the oil temps and they should be 200F-220F and sometimes on really cold days it may be under 200F, but it won't hurt a thing for an occasional flight. We usually use a 2" strip of aluminum tape (not duct or gorilla tape, the glue makes a mess) on the top 2" of the coolant radiator. If temps get too hot take it off, if temps stay way too low add another 1" and so on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 Clarifying Roger, do you put 2" tape across the entire width of the radiator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul m Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 A picture would be worth a thousand words.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 I use tape all year round :-) 2'' and 4" in the winter any time now :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug G. Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 I have an oil thermostat and temps do not seem to be an issue. And I live where cold really means cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug G. Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 thermostat AND tape(s) Mike, that's where FD install it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug G. Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 Yup, that looks like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug G. Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 Jaques, you still use tape? I bought the tape, but have not seen a need for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 The tape goes all the way across, from left to right, the top of the radiator. SWo the top 2" of the air flow is blocked to the oil cooler and the radiator.. I put about 1/4" folded over the top and about 1" around the sides to the wind doesn't bother it. We all do it at my field. & CT's and maybe 9 soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 The radiators in the CTSW or LS can be moved and made to fit the openings better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opticsguy Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted October 26, 2013 Report Share Posted October 26, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Cesnalis Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 ...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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul m Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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