Aeroshell releases Sport Plus 4 oil for Rotax engines

[Admin]

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AeroShell Oil Sport Plus 4 is the first oil specifically developed for light sport aviation piston engines such as the ROTAX ® 912 & 914 series. A mixture of low cylinder head temperature (compared to air cooled engines), low oil consumption and the engine internals requires a blend of high quality hydrocarbon base stocks, incorporating synthetic technology which allows full performance with different fuel types. This oil can be used in all climates.

 

Technical Data Sheet

 

Typical Physical Characteristics

 

10W - 40

 

SAE Viscosity grade 10W - 40

 

Kinematic Viscosity ASTM D 445

 

at 40°C mm2/s 94.2

 

at 100°C mm2/s 14.46

 

Viscosity Index ISO 2909 159

 

Density at 15°C kg/m3 ASTM D 4052 871

 

Flash Point COC °C ISO 2592 228

 

Pour Point °C ISO 3016 -33

 

Specifications

 

Meets or exceeds highest international specifications:

 

API SL

 

JASO MA

 

VW 502 00

 

Fully approved – all ROTAX ® 912 & 914 series engines, ROTAX ® Service Instruction SI-912-016/SI-914-019 ‘Selection of suitable operating fluids for ROTAX ® engine type 912 & 914 (series).

 

Please consult Operating Handbook/Manual to confirm the correct lubricant specification before use.

 

Applications

 

AeroShell Oil Sport Plus 4 is intended for use in four-stroke aircraft piston engines which are of an original automotive design and therefore cannot use traditional Ashless Dispersant aircraft engine oil types. These engines include carburettor, fuel-injected and turbocharged types such as the ROTAX ® 912 & 914 series.

 

AeroShell Sport Plus 4 is to be used in integrated gearbox and wet clutch systems.

 

AeroShell Oil Sport Plus 4 can be used in engines which operate on both unleaded and Avgas 100LL. Correct type of additives and good solvent properties allow the oil to handle lead by-products, which can form a semi solid sludge in the oil, which in turn, can restrict oil passages and compromise lubrication. AeroShell Oil Sport Plus 4 is superior in this respect to those oil types designed for automotive/motorcycle application.

 

Please refer to Operators Handbook/Manual for the correct oil drain interval when operating on different fuels.

 

Features and Benefits

 

First specific oil for Light Sport and Very Light/Ultra light aircraft engines

 

Promotes engine cleanliness

 

Helps keep engines sludge and varnish free

 

Helps reduce oil consumption

 

Helps engines reach TBO (Time Between Overhaul)

 

Protects highly stressed engines parts against scuffing and wear

 

Anti-foaming additives to maximise lubrication effectiveness – especially for those engines operating an integrated gearbox

 

Better cold flow characteristics for easier starts and quicker protection

 

High thermal stability for longer-lasting and safer lubrication

 

Can be used in any climate

 

Advanced anti-rust and anti-wear package

 

Do not use AeroShell Oil Sport Plus 4 in engines that are designed to use Ashless Dispersant aviation piston engines oils such as AeroShell W oils. This includes aircooled Teledyne Continental Motors, Textron Lycoming and Jabiru engines.

 

 

 

[tecnamman]

Ian

 

Where can we buy it???

 

 

[Admin]

Try contacting Shell as you may get a supplier more local and cheaper but at a last resort Bert Flood has it

 

 

[WestCoast]

Good news Ian.....hopefully Shell outlets at airports will stock it. Will give the agents at YPJT a call to see if they have it yet.

 

Regards

 

Dave

 

 

[WestCoast]

I contacted Shell at YPJT today but they know nothing about this oil. I then rang Shell in Melbourne and drew a blank there as well........never heard of it!!

 

Ian....can you tell us where you sourced this information on AeroShell Sport Plus 4 so I can make some further enquiries. Was it from an Australian source or from overseas?

 

Thanks

 

Dave

 

 

[Admin]

Dave, I know that Floods have it but I will check my source tomorrow to find out who sent him the information about the oil and try and get a list of sources for it

 

 

[vk3auu]

Peter McLean at Yarrawonga has it.

 

David

 

 

[WestCoast]

I see Rotax have issued a S.I. making mention of this oil (http://www.rotax-owner.com/SI_TB_Info/ServiceInfo/SI-912-016R1.pdf )

 

I guess it may take a while for Shell outlets to get stocks of this oil. I hope it is available in larger than 1L bottles.

 

 

[vk3auu]

It appears that there are plenty of other oils which Rotax also recommends. It in interesting to note that Rotax seem to think that operating with oil temperatures up to 120 degrees C are quite normal. My 912UL was obtained second hand and it took quite a while before I managed to get all the water out of the oil. It had obviously been run too cold and in fact that was the reason why it had seized a big end and broken a con rod before I got it. That is the main reason why I attempt to generally run with an oil temperature slightly above 100 degrees C. It also keeps the water condensate from building up as I do not fly very frequently these days.

 

David

 

 

[eastmeg2]

This new Shell oil was mentioned in the Rotax lecture at Natfly.

 

There have been other threads here which mention the need to exceed 100c Oil Temp in your 912/914 on a regular basis to boil out any moisture.

 

With a 912 trike this works fine for most of the year, but around Goulburn in winter have difficulty reaching 100c, even at MTOW on a long climb. Usually in the low 90's on cruise at those times.

 

Thankfully the humidity is typically fairly low in this area, hopefully it'll keep condensation to a minimum, along with keep it hangared.

 

Rgds,

 

Glen

 

 

[vk3auu]

Why would you want to fly a trike around Goulburn in the winter. Brrrrr.

 

Last time I overnighted there it was -9 in the morning.

 

David

 

 

[eastmeg2]

Perhaps the question should be rephrased as "why would anyone in their right mind . . ."

 

Either way it's a good question.

 

The FRESH!!! air . . . puts hair on your chest . . . the air is smoother the colder it gets (or is it just my arms going numb) . . . the industrial freezer suit rated for -30c I'm wearing is worth it weight in gold . . . as are the polar fleece bar mitts (Thanks Punkinhead) and touring screen (Lore of Flight).

 

We have seen -9c inside our hangar on a couple of occasions when we used to bunk in there, it's a funny sight looking at each other shivering fully clothed inside a sleeping bag, or getting back from flying and not taking the freezer suit off.

 

Cheers,

 

Glen

 

 

[WestCoast]

Don't hold your breath if you are expecting to buy this oil anytime soon. I have just phoned Shell on a Perth number only to find I was talking to someone in Melbourne. The person on the switchboard told me that they no longer had any personnel in Perth but put me through to someone they thought could help me and I then found myself talking to a Shell call centre in Manilla.......who started telling me where I could buy Shell products in my region.....when she mentioned Cocos Island I gave up!

 

The large oil companies have become user unfriendly 'behemoths' and I guess I was foolish to expect anything else.......or maybe I am just becoming old and cranky :confused:

 

I note it is readily available in the USA at US$54.95 for 12 Qt bottles however of course that is impractical for us here in Australia.

 

Dave

 

PS Have just been advised the following:- The new Aeroshell Oil Sports Plus 4 is available in Australia in cartons of 12 x 1lt. If you have an account with Shell it can be ordered through our customer service centre on 131618 under the product code 300010460.

 

 

[Admin]

I have just spoken to the Shell Account Manager - Oceania Aviation Lubricants and Specialties and he has advised that this great oil has a shelf life of 4 years and most importantly it has a paper trail to ensure the oil's integrity.

 

He is also going to get a Technical adviser to have a look at your comments and provide more information in respect of its distribution for you to use. He is away for the next week so if you have any further questions on this product please post them here (no more PMs to me please as I don't have the answers as yet) so we can hopefully get some answers for you

 

 

[eastmeg2]

PS Have just been advised the following:- The new Aeroshell Oil Sports Plus 4 is available in Australia in cartons of 12 x 1lt. If you have an account with Shell it can be ordered through our customer service centre on 131618 under the product code 300010460.

Need an account with Shell:hittinghead: . . . buy in batches of 12 x 1L bottle.thumb_down

 

Surely they jest. - was it 1st April they told you this?

 

After so much anticipation this is a big disappointment.

 

Rgds,

 

Glen

 

 

[Guest Crezzi]

I He is also going to get a Technical adviser to have a look at your comments and provide more information in respect of its distribution for you to use. He is away for the next week so if you have any further questions on this product please post them here (no more PMs to me please as I don't have the answers as yet) so we can hopefully get some answers for you

Q for Shell Technical Adviser

 

What advantage(s) does this provide compared to Shell Advance VSX4 which is also "highly recommended" for Rotax with both unleaded and avgas ?

 

TIA

 

John

 

 

[Mick]

Anyone heard any more about this oil?

 

Anyone actually using it?

 

Cheers

 

Mick

 

 

[markendee]

It seems as if this product is deliberately difficult to deal with.

 

I am a retailer who sells Shell oil but cannot access this new oil.

 

We have decided to continue using Shell Advance VSX4.

 

Mark D

 

 

[facthunter]

Strange?

 

I think we have a good product but difficult to purchase. We are only a small market, but if they go to the trouble of manufacturing and quality assuring it, surely it is ridiculous to have a difficulty with the marketing side. I use quite a range of specialised products from Shell and have had delays in supply and often the product is discontinued without an obvious equivalent replacement. Sometimes the size container available is unsuited to the customer use. The usual 1300 type phone contact numbers produce a compartmentalised product "speil" that gets you nowhere. Their website I find difficult to navigate. The company is let down by it's marketing arm. Nev

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

R.I.P my beloved Castrol GPS ???

 

I have used Castrol GPS religously now for five or six years in my own 912 engines , and have recommended it , and supplied it, during customer oil-change events .These include many aircraft types, with some very hard working 912s engines, fitted to SS4 Storches. These engines are used for property inspection work and mustering, often also in dusty conditions.

 

These central Queensland based aircraft fly every day, often in 40c + temps (summer) or very cold early-morn take offs in winter, and generally are worked hard!!.

 

The only saving grace is that the owners have long ago realized the value of these aircraft to their yearly bottom line, so generally do 50 hrly oil and filter changes at my recommendation.

 

I recently renewed the engine in one Storch, replacing the old one that had 2400+ hrs on it, which had in the owners words "been dusted ". In other words he hadn't cleaned or renewed his air cleaners as often as he should have. It was still running perfect however.

 

The only problem he had ever had oil-wise, was when he substituted GPS with Castrol Magnatec oil which promptly rendered his 'Sprage' clutch (starter) u/s, and made his engine non-startable. This event to remove engine, (necessary in a Storch), remove/refit new sprage clutch, plus my bush travel /beer etc. ended up costing him about 4.5 grand. He went back to GPS after that !!. So to cut a long story short, Castrol GPS has certainly done the job for them, and me, over the years. However I do of course want to do the best for my engine, and for those of my customers, and I will change reluctantly to Shell Sport Plus 4 if I have to. Any comments out there if you would please, on other GPS owner/operator experience?.. Cheers.

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Thank you kindly admin officer for changing my aviat title, and also generally for your contributation in the tech field, which helps us all, and may even save a life or two down the road. Cheers

 

 

[Guest Michael Coates]

GPS is fantastic oil, used it for years and not 1 problem, changed to the new Shell (get it in 20L drums) and whilst it looks like water it seems to be doing the job just fine !