Oil Cooler Fittings and Seals

Tonight I installed the two fluid fittings on the oil cooler, and the two rubber seals which will sit between the oil cooler and the air inlet.

The fluid fittings were easy enough. Vans published a video of this procedure, highlighting the need to use two wrenches to avoid torquing (and cracking) the oil cooler. The cooler is made of fairly soft aluminum, and cannot handle the torque needed to seat the fluid fittings. There have been cases of oil coolers failing in flight, and even a recall on a batch of coolers (mine is not affected).

I followed the video, measured the clocking angle, and installed the two fittings.

Then I proceeded to apply silicone adhesive to the sides of the top of the cooler, and followed the instructions to glue down the two seals.

I also spent time filling in the remaining gaps on the inlet where I missed a spot or two when applying RTV last night.

Oil cooler
Installing the first fluid fittings
Both fittings installed. Note the two wrenches used, one to hold the nut on the cooler, and one to torque the fitting
Beds of silicone adhesive applied
Seals glued down
Close up of the left hand seal

Oil cooler

After a 10 day work trip to India I was able to accomplish one small task tonight. I cut and deburred these spacers for the oil cooler. Right now this is about all I’m going to do with the oil cooler. I’m hoping to pick up a 3D printed oil cooler plenum to replace the standard Vans model. The 3D printed plenum will be circular to match the circular scat tube, vs. the square cornered Vans model. Based on what I’ve read and been told, there should be some improvement in oil cooling efficiency using this modified plenum. It’s currently in testing and not ready for production, but hopefully will be ready near the end of the year.

I also took a few minutes to confirm that my oil cooler serial number is not in the range impacted by the service bulletin issued earlier this year. https://www.vansaircraft.com/service-information-and-revisions/sb-00080-rev-2/

Oil cooler spacers