Oil cooler inlet plug

RTPetit

I wonder if anyone knows where to buy or how to fabricate a plug for the oil cooler inlet on my Arrow II? If I park for a few nights outside, it would be nice to know no critters can get in.

Scott Sherer

I made this out of scrap aluminum. Is this what you're looking for?

Johnjetman

Or do you mean this in the bottom of the photo? This is like a small pillow. I got it from Bruce’s Custom covers.

Johnjetman

I should have mentioned this is for the air filter and main engine inlets as you can see. I have also heard from others that use metal tape over the oil cooler inlet where Scott is showing. It would only be used for cold temperatures however.

Scott Sherer

What you're looking for is an air cooler winterization plate and your aircraft should have come with one. There is a part number in your manual and you can purchase one for about $50. However, you can also make one for basically free.

RTPetit

I'm looking for something to cover the inlet "scoop" on the lower right side of the cowl for oil cooling. I'm thinking it would be a good place for birds to come in if parked outside for a few days. Maybe this isn't a problem. It should be waterproof.

Scott Sherer

Hi, do you mean like this? https://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/cowl-plugs.html

arrow76r

Scott,

He may mean the oil cooler inlet duct which looks like an NACA inlet on the lower cowl, right hand side. My '69 Arrow has one also.

Scott Sherer

Oh! Got it, much thanks Jim. So how about shoving a piece of foam rubber in there. And put this on the foam rubber plug. https://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/remove-before-flight-streamer.html

RTPetit

Simple enough. That should work. I'll probably just tie it to the cowl plugs so they will all come off at the same time at preflight. Thanks

Scott Sherer

Glad to help! Sometimes it's the simplest of solutions, lol.

Casey T.

I made my own last year. Much cheaper and super easy.

Scott Sherer

Wow, you're talented! Great job!

stkm04

@Casey, great plugs! What materials did you use (foam and what kind of fabric)?

Thanks!

griff390

Casey;

Wow, beautiful work!

griff390

Years ago when my plane was tied down on the ramp, birds made a nest in my engine. Couldn't believe the mess they made in only 2 days. After cleanup, I made cowling and air inlet plugs from 2 inch thick pink foam board insulation (available at any home improvement store). A 4 ft x 8 ft sheet is only $25. Mine were free because I found scrap pieces of foam board laying by the side of the road. Bonus: I helped clean up the roadside environment.

They're very inexpensive, weigh nothing, and if they get lost, it only takes about 10 min to make a new set. They're nowhere near as nice as Casey's, but they work great.

Scott Sherer

They look great. I think you should draw eyeballs on them, lol.

griff390

Scott;

I like that idea. I better not paint them after this week because the eyeballs will turn out bloodshot. 🤣🤣

griff390

It's been "one of those weeks", and it's only Tuesday. 🙄

stkm04

On my Arrow IV the cowl plug for the small 4"-diameter oil cooler air intake had gotten lost.

I asked several companies for quotes and they all ended up in the $80 range (incl S&H) which I found a bit expensive.

Hence I made one myself. The material (the faux leather and the foam) was about $6, and I spent about 45 mins with cutting and sewing.