Reiff preheater and high CHTs

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theRDWRER
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Reiff preheater and high CHTs

Post by theRDWRER »

Just had the Reiff XP Turbo installed. First flight afterwards I had a particularly hard time keeping CHTs, esp #4, below 400F during the climb and at cruise they were staying higher than usual (~390). Anyone have a similar experience? My concern is that the hardware, especially the oil heat pad, may be interfering with the ability of the engine (oil pan, specifically) to dissipate heat.

-Matt
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Chris B
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Re: Reiff preheater and high CHTs

Post by Chris B »

Hi Matt -

I think that it is extremely unlikely that the cylinder bands or pan-mounted heater element could materially affect CHT. I have a Reiff system, and as far as I can tell it has zero impact on cooling.

OTOH, my recollection is that a fair amount of the baffling needs to be loosened in order to install the Reiff cylinder bands. It is *quite* possible that the engine baffling was not reinstalled correctly. This would cause your symptoms. Check carefully for any gaps.

Note that both the traditional flat rubber gaskets at the top of the engine *and* the composite ducting conforming to the engine case must be leak-free so that 100% of the cool air gets forced through the cylinder fins. It is also possible to not properly reinstall the blocking plates that fit between the fore/aft cylinders on each side of the engine, or the spring retaining clips on the bottom sides of the composite shrouds. Even seemingly small openings can have a large impact.

Chris
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rwtucker
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Re: Reiff preheater and high CHTs

Post by rwtucker »

Matt,

I can confirm Chris' observation based on the experience with my Tanner. Even though it was done by Diamond "partner" FBO at the factory in London, it was an inferior and sloppy job (bubble in heater pan and not even put on straight, one cylinder heater electrical connector came lose in a few hours and the insulator burned on and stuck to the exhaust manifold, sloppy and excessive zip ties). They didn't get my ducting back right either. I spent an hour or two straightening it and temperatures returned to normal.
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Eric N
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Re: Reiff preheater and high CHTs

Post by Eric N »

I also will confirm Chris' observation: I installed my Reiff system about 10 yrs ago, at an "owner-assisted" annual and it has worked well since, with no adverse effect on engine temps. I'm a big fan of the Reiff system and have recommended it to quite a few other pilots.
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Re: Reiff preheater and high CHTs

Post by briankelly327 »

I just installed the Reiff turbo XP system, which comes with 2x100W hot strips on the oil sump (IO-360 DA-40).

We were only able to get one of the hot strips installed on the oil pan due to the shape of the engine compartment. There was not sufficient surface area to mount the second one.

Reiff is adament that both can be installed on the IO-360. Have others been able to get both installed? And if so, was there a trick to it?

Id welcome any feedback.
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