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Radiator Mods for NSI engine

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Clem Nichols

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 88
Location: Munfordville, Ky

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:36 am Post subject: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

Floyd:

  

 Any pictures available on your radiator  modification?  My NSI EA81 does OK during cooler weather, but in the summer  it has a tendency to overheat during long climbs, and the cooling is only  marginal at level flight.

  

 Thanks

 Clem Nichols

 [quote]   ---

n10pg(at)neo.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:43 am Post subject: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

Hi Clem:

On this subject I would like to relate a little story in the life of my NSI

equipped Kitfox5.

My airplane's first flight was in May 1996. I was very anxious to fly into

small grass strips for breakfast fly-ins and such. As the summer progressed

I noticed an ever increasing coolant temperature. I related this info to

Lance Wheeler and he suggested that I replace the originally furnished brass

radiator with his new aluminum one, which I did. The results were pleasingly

dramatic. The old brass radiator was sitting in the corner of my workbench

and at the end of my annual inspection that winter I decided to find a more

suitable permanent resting place for it, up on the shelves. As I looked at

the radiator a little more closely, I noticed that it was well over 50%

plugged up by mostly bugs and insects. I guess flying in and out of grass

stips is somewhat detrimental to water cooled engines. Particularly on

takeoff with full power the prop sucks up everything in its path and shoves

it into the radiator. The buildup will soon deminish the air flow through

the radiator, thus reducing the cooling capacity. It is now part of my

annual inspection to thoroughly clean the fins of the radiator. Sometimes it

is necessary to repeat that once or twice in the summer/fall. I haven't had

any cooling problems since.

Peter Graichen

http:/home.neo.rr.com/n10pg/kitfox.htm 

________________________________



From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com

[mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Clem Nichols

Sent: Sunday, 25 February, 2007 08:33

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

Floyd:

 

Any pictures available on your radiator modification?  My NSI EA81 does OK

during cooler weather, but in the summer it has a tendency to overheat

during long climbs, and the cooling is only marginal at level flight.

 

Thanks

Clem Nichols

wingsdown(at)verizon.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:51 am Post subject: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

Clem,

 Contact me off  list.

  

 Rick

  

  

 do not  archive

 [quote]   

   --

GENTRYLL(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:06 am Post subject: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

Would it be practical to put some fiberfax or similiar material on the oil  pan, between it and the muffler on the NSI installation, to help reduce the oil  temperature?



AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from AOL at 657x4311227241x4298082137/aol?redir=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eaol%2Ecom" target="_blank">AOL.com.  [quote][b]

Clem Nichols

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 88
Location: Munfordville, Ky

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:17 am Post subject: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

Peter:



I gave the radiator an external "flushing" last summer, and did seem to 

notice some improvement even though there were no bugs, grass, etc., readily 

visible on it.  Perhaps there was some thin dirt buildup from flying off a 

wet turf field that wasn't apparent the way bugs, etc. would be.  Certainly 

none of the openings were completely plugged.  If I have the same problem 

this summer I may flush the engine and radiator, and see if that helps.  I 

remember someone not too long ago talking about finding a bunch of "goop" in 

an NSI engine.  All that aside, however, I'd still like to see what Floyd 

did to make a cowl for his radiator as mine does not have one, and I 

consider myself somewhat conceptually challenged.



Thanks,

Clem Nichols

----- 



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Hi Clem:

 On this subject I would like to relate a little story in the life of my 

 NSI

 equipped Kitfox5.

 . I related this info to

 Lance Wheeler and he suggested that I replace the originally furnished 

 brass

 radiator with his new aluminum one, which I did.  The old brass radiator 

 was sitting in the corner of my workbench

 and at the end of my annual inspection that winter I decided to find a 

 more

 suitable permanent resting place for it, up on the shelves. As I looked at

 the radiator a little more closely, I noticed that it was well over 50%

 plugged up by mostly bugs and insects. I guess flying in and out of grass

 stips is somewhat detrimental to water cooled engines.  It is now part of 

 my

 annual inspection to thoroughly clean the fins of the radiator. Sometimes 

 it

 is necessary to repeat that once or twice in the summer/fall. I haven't 

 had

 any cooling problems since.

 Peter Graichen

 http:/home.neo.rr.com/n10pg/kitfox.htm

 ________________________________



 From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com

 [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Clem Nichols

 Sent: Sunday, 25 February, 2007 08:33

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

 Floyd:



 Any pictures available on your radiator modification?  My NSI EA81 does OK

 during cooler weather, but in the summer it has a tendency to overheat

 during long climbs, and the cooling is only marginal at level flight.



 Thanks

 Clem Nichols

Clem Nichols

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 88
Location: Munfordville, Ky

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:18 am Post subject: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

That certainly sounds worth considering.  Has anyone tried it?

 [quote]   ---

kitfox69(at)earthlink.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 2:16 pm Post subject: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

Klem,

  

      I have the NSI cowl which I modified. I'll get some pictures later this week. It is supposed to warm up here and be clear for a few hours. We only get these conditions about every 52 1/2 days by decree of Mother Nature. The real reason my cooling is under control now is because of the efforts of Jay Roese. He now knows precicely what radiator the EA 81 needs. I suggest you talk to him. The cost of a new radiator is worth the peace of mind. Meanwhile, I'll get some pictures together for you.

 Regards,  Floyd

  

 P.S. Jays cell:  585-729-5098

  

 



  

 [quote] ---

kitfox69(at)earthlink.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 2:26 pm Post subject: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

I'm going tom jump in here and suggest you talk to Jay Roese about this one too. He is privy to all the latest technology and can probably suggest something which will fill the bill. Ie may not have it, but he sure can tell you where to find it.

 BTY, and this is not an advertizement, Jay built me a beautiful Tuned exhaust for my EA 81 engine. It is simple and efficient.

 We toned it down with a short insert in the straight section.  Cool!  Jay can be reached at: 585-729-5098

 



  

 [quote] ---

d(at)cfisher.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:57 am Post subject: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

Clem, 

  

   Although I do not have a NSI engine I will  tell you I have over 30 years in the automotive field.  I would suggest if  your radiator sizing is correct and has worked in the past for other owners of  same engine and climate then you have a problem unique to you.   

 A good rad shop will  flow test your rad and  tell you if it is ok.  A radiator can get get crusted up on the  inside and the flow and heat transfer will suffer  dramatically. Same  goes for your cooling hose if you have any that are not  free  flowing.  You can always get your rad shop to make you a new radiator with  a thicker core if you do not want to expand the  area of it .    Rad shops that work on custom builds will know best. 

  

 A radiator with a thin film of "grime" will have  less cooling capacity than a clean one. Wipe a clean rag over the front of rad  and see if it shows dirt. 

  

 I get a ton of bugs in summer time and I power wash  from rear and blow out all those bugs and dirt that collect every few weeks but  that might be every  10 or 20 hours.  Even a garden hose will   clena alot of .   Try some soap or degreaser on the radiator prior to  washing  to loosen up the grime.  Make sure if is compatible with your  rad -- Copper or Alum  !! 

  

 Hope that   " cools " you down !!  

  

  

 Dave

  

 [quote]   ---

avtar412

Joined: 15 Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Location: New Zealand

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:52 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator Mods for NSI engine

Here is a shot of my series 5 radiator set up. I had the origianl NSI brass unit but had to replace with aluminium one. I have a front exposed scoop inlet and defuser track. Hot day I get 100C on climb& 90 on cruise

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