Postby JohnCWE » Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:17 pm
Hi guys, bit of a delay but got there this morning.
On Sunday I put everything together again, this time minus the thermostat, bypass pipe blocked off, everything as it should be.
Ran the engine up, takes a bit longer to get to 80 deg
Stuck the thermometer in the water leaving the engine and that was 81 deg, same as the MGL indicated temp, and the water leaving the radiator was 69 deg.
I then assumed that if I have the 80mph airflow into the radiator the problem should be solved.
Flew this morning, OAT 25 deg,
Water takes longer to get to temp but at 65 deg I took off, the water was at 85 by the time I got to circuit height climbing at 65mph and 650fpm, 5995 rpm.
I reduced power and the water took a long time, like a minute, coming down but on the straight and level it seems to stay at 85 deg.
Did a touch and go and on the ground run it was back to 65 deg, at circuit height at a reduced climb rate and 80mph the temp was 88 deg.
All this after the engine was operating normally at between 65 to 80 deg in the past
My question now is what is there in the engine that could change that would generate more heat than usual.
It now seems that the radiator cannot dissipate the generated heat,
Could the higher ambient be a factor, 25 is not particularly high, it was overcast with no wind,
If the water temp is reduced by 10 deg while passing through the radiator while stationary on the ground, then it should surely be able to dissipate any heat buildup in flight.
What is the danger temperature to the engine being damaged, why is the recommended temp 84 deg max?
What damage can be done to the engine, heat seizing, burnt pistons, etc?
The cap is a .9bar cap on the radiator, anti-freeze is 10% mix
Thanks
John