My engine loosing its cool

Chasecam shots of the coolant draining out of my water-cooled engine (Hirth 5303) during flight. Did the engine seize, forcing me to land in muddy fields below?
Watch to find out.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• PPC
• PPG
• Hirth
• XCitor
• malfunction
• chase cam
• ChaseCam
• GoPro

[mateosk]

Ya I had that happen to me with a Rotax 582. It lasted about 15 minutes. Coolant gauge read low because steam and hot air does not transfer heat to the sender properly.

Met quite a few cows and mosquitos that day, but no injuries to me. Aircraft needed complete engine rebuild, new left aileron and some fabric repair from an angry hiding fencepost and some hungry cows.

I would prefer to just keep the coolant in the engine.

[dorondekel]

@mateosk You launch into the air, and, as Forrest Gump used to say, "You never know what you're gonna get.". Some flights are adventures.

[carvingair]

is it possible that there is no internal damage after 45 minutes of air cooling only?

[dorondekel]

@carvingair So it seems, at least when it's not a hot day. The Hirth has a Nikasil coating on its cylinders, which probably played a part in preventing a seizure.

[carvingair]

@dorondekel Same story with the Rotron 294 water cooled rotary - amazing these motors show no damage after loosing their liquid cooling.

[dorondekel]

@carvingair ... but not good they selected components that allow this to happen in the first place. Fresh Breeze now manufactures its own replacement silicone tubes because this happens so often with the rubber ones used by Hirth.

[explorateurdesairs]

Lucky man, no seizure ??

Too bad you didn't see what you camera is recording in direct.

[aircreationtrike]

That Hirth engine is some engine!!! losing his "cool(ant)" and keeps on going & going & going, it´s like the energizer bunny!

Fly Safe.

[dorondekel]

@aircreationtrike You mean the no-water temp? :-) 125-130C.

[aircreationtrike]

Wow, how high did your water temp go?