Kitfox Aircraft Stick and Rudder Stein Air Grove Aircraft TCW Technologies Dynon Avionics AeroLED MGL Avionics Leading Edge Airfoils Desser EarthX Batteries Garmin G3X Touch
Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Rotax 915 oil/water thermostat

  1. #1
    Senior Member Kitfox Pilot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Spring Garden Illinois
    Posts
    859

    Default Rotax 915 oil/water thermostat

    Do you guys recommend oil thermostats on the rotax engines?
    Do you recommend water and oil thermostats on the rotax engines?
    If so which ones work good for you?
    Thanks for any info, I am to the point of plumbing the oil and water coolers and thought I would need a thermostat of some kind.
    Harlan and Susan Payne
    Sold Piper Archer
    Flying FarmFox STI Kitfox N61HP
    Rotax 915is, Airmaster prop
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5A...oCVUP15G0uB-Yw

  2. #2
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    3,563

    Default Re: Rotax 915 oil/water thermostat

    Harlan, I think I’ll go with the oil thermostat first. Wouldn’t think it would be needed flying in Arizona but on a 45 degree morning I do have to sit and warm up quite awhile to get oil temps to 122 degrees. Some guys here do have both oil and coolant.
    I flew all the way to Oshkosh and still am flying here in Minnesota with 2/3 of my oil cooler covered to get oil temps to 190 to 200 degrees during flight.


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Mapleton,UT
    Posts
    1,224

    Default Re: Rotax 915 oil/water thermostat

    I heard the 915 is sensitive to oil restrictions, so I wouldn’t go with a oil thermostat. Just cover up the oil cooler to bring up temps or put a louver on it. Becomes more of an issue if you go high because your oil pressure starts to drop because outside ambient pressure drops. I installed a water thermostat when I did my topend to see if it helps keep the coolant temps up for winter flying and staying warm. Downside is if the thermostat gets stuck closed.
    Dustin Dickerson

    Building 7ss STI x 2
    Oratex
    29" shock monster
    EP912STI 155hp
    Garmin
    N33TF......FLYING!
    N53TF......FLYING!

  4. #4
    Senior Member jrevens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Arvada, CO
    Posts
    2,146

    Default Re: Rotax 915 oil/water thermostat

    I have both oil & water... they work well, but the oil t-stat I have is only available with a 180 deg. element, so on cold days the oil doesn't get quite up to the "optimum" temp. without covering the cooler. It is the t-stat that's sold by multiple companies (Kitfox?, Lockwood, LEAF, etc.) for the Rotax engines. It does get the temperature up sooner and I like it. There is no worry about oil flow restriction, because the thermostat is always allowing full flow to the engine. It just modulates the amount going through the cooler.
    John Evens
    Arvada, CO
    Kitfox SS7 N27JE
    EAA Lifetime
    Chap. 43 honorary Lifetime

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •