Guys:

I know there has been some threads on this topic, but I wondered if some of you could help me locate a part.

I have a real problem keeping my 180 warm enough. Even here in NM. Once summer arrives, it is ok, but from Oct to April, it is hard to get the temps above 150. I have checked the temp gauge and it is accurate. I know that I can put tape over the oil cooler, but am not real fond of that approach. Besides, it is not uncommon to start in the cool of the morning but have the temp increase over the course of a long flight.

I have seen on a couple of 180s a part made that bolts to the oil cooler with an adjustable flap that is controllable from the cockpit. Just like cowl flaps. I called Wentworth and they knew of the part, but didn't have one in stock. However, they did claim there were still some companies making them?? I did a Google search and didn't come up with anything.

Anyone know of a source or would anyone have one hanging around they wanted to part with?

Also, for anyone that has this on their 180, did you do it with a 337 or is there an STC that you can lay your hands on??

Thanks for the help. Larry

Van's Aircraft sells an Oil cooler vent/ cooler shutter. It is designed to mount between the baffle and the oil cooler to allow airflow regulation when the engine oil temperature is too cold. With cable control and hardware its around $125.00. Of course it is intended for experimental aircraft. I put one on my Kitfox with an 0290 and it does the trick, no more tapping off the cooler. Not sure about standard category options.

88H wrote:Guys:

I know there has been some threads on this topic, but I wondered if some of you could help me locate a part.

I have a real problem keeping my 180 warm enough. Even here in NM. Once summer arrives, it is ok, but from Oct to April, it is hard to get the temps above 150. I have checked the temp gauge and it is accurate. I know that I can put tape over the oil cooler, but am not real fond of that approach. Besides, it is not uncommon to start in the cool of the morning but have the temp increase over the course of a long flight.

I have seen on a couple of 180s a part made that bolts to the oil cooler with an adjustable flap that is controllable from the cockpit. Just like cowl flaps. I called Wentworth and they knew of the part, but didn't have one in stock. However, they did claim there were still some companies making them?? I did a Google search and didn't come up with anything.

Anyone know of a source or would anyone have one hanging around they wanted to part with?

Also, for anyone that has this on their 180, did you do it with a 337 or is there an STC that you can lay your hands on??

Thanks for the help. Larry

I've never seen an adjustable oil cooler cover for Skywagons. Generally, I just cover half the cooler with duct tape.

It sounds like you have other issues....you should be able to control oil temp better than that in "normal" temperatures with your cowl flaps.

First, are your cowl flaps closing all the way?

Most important, is your vernatherm working properly?

It would be difficult to install a shutter out in front of that cooler, which resides up front on the right side.

For perspective, any time temps got below about + 10 degrees, I taped half the cooler off. Anything above that your oil temps should be pretty controllable, and a shutter shouldn't be needed.

MTV

Hey Larry
I have seen them on very early 180's. If I remember right, there is even a picture of 1 in the parts book. Very rare. What I saw went on the coolers that lay down. I wish they had them for the newer ones. As Mike said, might be worth checking the vernitherm, after all, that is what they are for. Glider Geek made a special wrench to change it, and would probly let ya borrow it.
Have a good evening Gary

MTV / Gary:

Good thought, will check the vernitherm. Gary, I will check and there is probably someone around the airpark with a similar wrench. If not, I will take you up on that.

MTV, there was a part made because I have seen them. When I called Wentworth, the guy that I talked to did know of the part and said they occasionally get them (I assume through salvage), but that they didn't have any in currently.

In the meantime, will replace the vernitherm and see if that cures the problem or makes it more tolerable.

Thanks for the input! Larry

Gary, you going to be at Lagrita?

What model year is your airplane?

I flew 180s and 185s in Alaska for a lot of years and hours, and is never saw a need for anything other than a bit of tape. And, at - 40, there still was no need, because if you have a non congealing oil cooler (I'd verify that as well) the oil cooler bypasses at extreme cold temps to keep the engine warm and prevent the cooler element from blocking oil flow.

I would bet that what the guy at Wentworth is talking about is the Cessna winter front kit. That kit is:

1. Not adjustable....you put it on with machine screws.

2. It blocks about half the oil cooler, and a LOT of the cooling air through the cowl inlet.

3. Has a pretty cool cutoff for use....like it's supposed to be removed above temps of + 20 f or so....and trust me, if you don't, it will heat your engine up mightily.

4. And, right after number 3. Above happens, you will have to land to remove it.

5. And, number 4 above requires a screwdriver. Duct tape doesn't.

Finally, I cannot imagine ANY logical reason why, assuming your systems are all functioning right that you could possibly need a winter front, adjustable or fixed.

You have mechanical issue, and a winter front isn't going to fix it. Get it to a mechanic who knows Cessnas.

MTV

My cowl is ground adjustable and there is a manual factory oil cooler cover that came from the factory. 90% of the time my temps seem OK (180-220 is where I like them mostly). I fly in about 20F to about 100F ambient. But, oil is not as endothermic as water and can be hard to manage at exact temperatures even with a varitherm thermostat.

I applaud an inflight adjustable oil cooler install. If she works let's see it run!

But, I agree that (a) good mechanic(s) should make sure you really have an issue big enough to require an alteration of your aircraft. If that's the case I like the idea of installing it in an aircraft the size of yours. My two seater really can not take too many modifications, even though I eye them sometimes.

Make sure all of the baffles are in good order, too??

Maybe a temporary install to get past the paperwork??

I can't imagine a simple coax push-pull cover would be hard to fabricate (assuming all your other stuff is running 100% and you need something else to make it run up at temp anyway).