Oil cooler plate for cold weather

[Doug David]

Does anyone know of or if they were ever was a cover plate or baffle for the oil cooler on the Comanche for cold weather, I can't seem to get the engine temp us as much as I like on the colder days

[David Pyle]

Heavy duct tape should work. Probably not a good idea to block more than half the cooler.

[Ray B]

I concur with Dave. I've only seen the "Red Green" method using duck tap and then only about half the cooler. Ray B

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Dont use Duck tape, use HVAC aluminum tape. It sticks much better and does not fray.
-Zach

[David Pyle]

Zach,

Right...but it is duct rather than the edible duck.

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Yes, however the brand name of the silver fabric tape is "Duck". HVAC aluminum tape is designed to stand up to the hot/cold/high pressure environment. The NASCAR guys call it 200 mph tape, and Boeing engineers refer to it as 500mph tape...either rating is adiquate for Comanche oil coolers...

[David Pyle]

Zach,

You quack me up.

[Doug David]

Thanks, I've been using Gorilla tape on our Cherokee with good results......(its black & looks almost like its supposed to be there) & 80mph cardboard on my Dodges & Kenworths.....I just didn't want to get a cooler messy with any residue when the cold weather is over

[steen]

Wanting to stay legal, the original question remains.....does anyone know of an STC for a "real" cold weather plate for the oil cooler?
Other Pipers have them so why not the PA-24's & 30"s?
Steen

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Steen,
They don't exist. Whether they are needed or not is also a question to bat around. Legally, since none are offered (if they were needed they would have been developed by the mfg) they aren't needed so why are people asking about them in the first place? I'm sure your airplane is 100% legal in all other ways...100% conforming to the production and type certificates!:-)
Zach

[steen]

Thanks, Zach.
I sure hope so re all my planes legalities as I have always tried very hard to make sure everything used or attached to them is per original or STC'd.
We all know the Twinkie needs the block plates on the oil coolers.....I am sure mine isn't the only one that flies 4 hr. trips and the oil temps never get over 160.
I think the cowls were such a far-out reach for Piper...only 9 years before I flew one of the first PA-24's Piper built my PA-12 so progress was swift....that they were worried more about getting enough cooling and never dreamed their cowl design was so good that oil temps would be a problem.
The real question I guess I'm asking is why hasn't someone come up with a field approval, if not an STC, to use the PA-28-160 oil cooler plates on the PA-30?
Maybe I'll look into this with my local GADO.
Steen

[Charlie Tripp]

I’ve owned a PA30 for over 20 years and the oil temps have always been 180 – 190F on the JPI even in the dead of winter up in the teens. Oil temperature is regulated by the vernatherm. It does not open to allow oil to flow through the oil cooler until oil temperature is 180 or greater. If your oil temp remains low and your oil temperature gauge is reading correctly your vernatherm is not seating correctly or it is time to replace the vernatherm.

[Don Ostergard]

I agree with Charlie Tripp. I've owned the same '59-250 for 31 years and live in Western Canada. Have often flown in OAT's as low as -35C and the oil temps appear to have been high enough although I admit this is from the original oil temp gauge which like all the others was clearly furnished by the low bidder. I have just installed a JPI 830 with oil temp readout but have not as yet had the "good" fortune to go flying in beastly cold weather. I will be watching the oil temp readout with great interest and will report any meaningful information.

If working properly the vernatherm should prevent the oil from circulating through the oil cooler before it reaches operating temperature. I have heard anecdotal evidence of the oil congealing in the oil cooler at extremely low temps before the vernatherm valve opened. My guess is that this is a problem that should never occur with the newer synthetic oils with their vastly improved cold pour qualities.

A caution for anyone living within 2-300 miles east of the Continental Divide: Don't EVER cover up your oil cooler unless you have checked the air temperatures aloft. In a "Chinook" situation one commonly encounters warm overrunning air. Here in Southern Alberta it is not uncommon to have surface air temperatures as low as -15C yet find the OAT at +5C just a couple of thousand feet aloft.

Don Ostergard
c-flhv@magtech.ca

[steen]

PA24's and 30's are not comparable re engine cooling as the cowls were designed by totally different people with divergent theories.
Re the vernatherms, been there and done that and they run cold in the winter, period.(PA30B)
Steen

[Doug David]

Thanks for all of your input & ideas....looks like the FAA Gorilla tape is still the only answer to get the temp up over 180. The really sad thing is the guages in the 250 only are green or red.....& not much indication other than o sh++t until it is in the red. I'm new to the Comanche ( have flown Cessna & own a Cherokee 140) & love this forum for information. I really like flying this plane, love the way it handles & the speed......well you know........