Thread: Radiator Tape

OK -- I'm a southern flyer that hasn't needed to tape his radiator to date. Given this year has had some cold (for the south) snaps below recent years, I'll need to tape the radiator or be grounded.

Real basic question -- what kind of tape to use? Should I find heat-rated tape or just regular duct tape?

I use 3M™ Aluminium Foil Tape 425

3M™ Aluminium Foil Tape 425 is a 75 micron backing dead-soft aluminum foil tape with a pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive. 425 has a very low moisture vapor transmission rate making it a good sealant.

Applications of 3M™ Aluminium Foil Tape 425

Repair tears on truck trailers and aircraft
General purpose heat reflector and heat dissipator
Splicing of thin gauge foils
Moisture barrier for indoor and outdoor applications
Sound and Vibration Dampening
Benefits of 3M™ Aluminium Foil Tape 425

425 has excellent heat and light reflection to protect against high temperatures and U.V. degradation.

Available Sizes

12mm X 55m
25mm X 55m
38mm X 55m
50mm X 55m
75mm X 55m
96mm X 55m

I use standard white ( to match plane ) ductape if it peels off i just replace it cheap and simple ..

Mike

Southern flier here, too. I also use the aluminum tape, which works great, but I only use one strip. I think others farther north may even two strips when it's colder. Watch out when the outside temps start climbing, because you'll notice the engine running hotter. You may have to clean the radiator to help the tape stick.

One strip of what width -- 2 inches?

Hi Dave,

The top two inches at the top. You want to get the coolant and oil radiator. I put about 1/8" over the top and wrap around the left and right edges and it will not come off. You are just trying to reduce some of the cool air flow.

Roger,

Thanks for the instructions!

Question on placement of tape. I note the the water cooling radiator (the front larger one) has end tanks so I assume the the coolant runs from a tank on one side thru the tubes to the tank on the other side. I note that the oil radiator is smaller and sits centered and behind the water radiator. I have placed 5 strips of 1" aluminum tape (5") "up and down" vertically at the center of the water radiator. This taping results in my oil temperature running at about 200 to 220 F at 30 F ambient during WOT extended climbs and I run at about 180 to 190 F at cruise. Recently, flying at 15 F (about -9 C) I cannot get above 150 F with oil temp even during extended WOT climbs. It gets pretty cold in the cockpit so I just added a 6th piece of 1" tape. Now have 6" at the center of the water radiator. I haven't tried this yet to see what I get for temps. Roger, I note that you put the tape horizontally at the top 2" of your radiator. Any reason for applying the tape at the top?

It's not as cold here as in Michigan. I can get away with 3 vertical 2" strips when it is between 35 - 45 degrees F. This gives me high green temps, both oil and water, with WOT climb at 90KIAS from 175 ft MSL to 3000 ft MSL. As the OAT starts getting above 45 I have to pay attention. Above 45 up to about 55 degrees one or two strips works fine.

John, from your note it appears that you have 3 x 2" tape = 6" coverage at the center or your radiator. I'm going to see if this setup works for me with the ambient here at 15 to 20 F at 700' MSL. 5" of tape did not provide high enough oil temps at thes ambients. So, I added a 6th piece of 1" wide tape to now have 6" coverage. Hopefully, I will see oil temps around 190 F + and CHT (water temp) not above 220 F.