912 operating life

[Guest Maj Millard]

That's fine facty, it certainly doesn't do any harm to emphasise a good point...........Maj...

 

 

[hihosland]

With reference to Castrol GPS my understanding is that Castrol changed the formulation but not in all markets and it was as a result of those changes that Rotax removed it from their recommendation list.

 

Davidh

 

 

[Guest travis]

oil

 

thanks heaps all , whent to the motor bike shop and they sell shell oil so have ordered some vsx 4 .

 

 

[Guest travis]

Hi all,Ive been using the aeroshell 100 for about 150 hrs in my 912 and haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary regarding oil consumption.

 

What is the deal on this oil.

 

What is the reason Rotax/Floods are recommending ditching it in preference to other oils???

 

Thanks

 

Alf

apparently the aeroshell is causing leak down , running low oil pressure , and also burning oil . i was told by a friend that some one switched from aeroshell to vsx 4 and after 3 hours it fixed his leak down problems .

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

It will also ruin you'r gearbox as it has no synthetic fortification required by the gearbox.

 

 

[rick-p]

Once again Nev you have hit the nail right on the head.

 

You never cease to amaze me with your posts.

 

If it's engineered then there is always a point at which it will fail, nothing is finite:Flush:.

 

Regards,

 

Rick-p

 

 

[alf jessup]

Maj,

 

My mistake I was meaning aeroshell sport plus 4 that I have been using for the last 150 hrs, are there any issues with this as I have had no problems at all with oil consumption changing compared to the VSX i was using before.

 

Cheers

 

Alf

 

 

[facthunter]

Vsx 4

 

To put your mind at rest, Alf, my understanding was THAT oil was fine, for the Rotax. I think Shell wanted to put an aero designation oil out, rather than have what was essentially a motorcycle oil being recommended for the engine. ... Nev..

 

 

[alf jessup]

Thanks Nev,

 

I'll keep on using it until i run out of bottles as i have enough left for 3 more oil changes.

 

Alf

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

I think we have that all sorted now. Just in case anybody is still confused by it all, I'll post the current lists of Rotax approved oils, direct from the Service instruction SI-912-016 R2.

 

If using mainly leaded AVGAS: AeroShell Sport plus 4

 

Advance VSX 4 SAE 10 W-40

 

Formula Shell Synthetic blend

 

Formula Shell SAE 10 W-30

 

Formula Shell SAE 20 W-50

 

Valvolene Durablend Synthetic SAE 10W40

 

Mobil 1 Clean 7500

 

If using unleaded fuel or MOGAS: Aeroshell Sport Plus 4

 

Advance VSX 4 SAE 10 W-40

 

Advance VSX 4 SAE 15 W-50

 

Advance Ultra 4

 

Formula Shell synthetic blend

 

Mobil 1 SAE 5 W-30

 

Mobil 1 SAE 15 W-50

 

Mobil 1 MX4T

 

Mobil 1 V-twin

 

Mobil 1 Clean 7500

 

Please Note: These listings are only partial extractions from the Rotax SI. For the complete story refer to the SI itself. (SI 912-016 R2)

 

From a personal perspective I would think that by selecting an oil that is common to both listings, you would pretty much cover your self with whatever fuel you uploaded, especially if travelling where you are ofter forced to take what is on offer...

 

My choice therefore would be: (not in order of preference)

 

Aeroshell Sport Plus 4

 

Advance VSX 4

 

Formula Shell Synthetic blend

 

..................................Maj..

 

 

[Guest Crezzi]

For the complete story refer to the SI itself. (SI 912-016 R1)

Sorry Maj but for the complete story you need Revision 2 of the SI. That came out about 12 months ago and added Aeroshell sport plus 4 as an approved oil.

 

<pedant mode off>

 

Cheers

 

John

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Crezzi, My old revision 1 also lists AeroShell Sport plus 4, in fact it is top of the list !.......Maj

 

For the rest:...three instances from memory where using the wrong oil in 912s caused damage. And these are the only times I have ever heard of. I'm sure you'll agree with me, and see why !

 

1. GA based maintenance company put aero based oil into VH registered Gazzelle....no synthetic fortification...gearbox ruined.

 

2. Pilot looking for Castrol GPS oil spots Castrol Magnatec with the little balls on the label. Thinks: This must be better and puts in engine. Is not Rotax approved, has Teflon fortification and promptly contaminates starter sprague clutch rendering it inoperative. Costs approx $2500 to rectify, inc new sprague clutch.

 

3. Station based pilot tops oil up with the first oil he can find in the shed. Finds that 912s do not operate well at all on diesel oil. Cost to repair damage: Approx $5000+.

 

 

[HEON]

Now the 914 has gone to 2000hr TBO (great as mine fits in!), wounder when the 912 will get another rise in TBO (especially the 80hp).

 

Like it when the TBO increases faster than I'm putting on hours.

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

You might want to check that again Heon, I think it is from 1200 to 1500 hrs for the 914 last time I looked.

 

 

[HEON]

Evening Maj: the good news regarding 914 TBO is in Rotax SB-914-039UL dated 25 Mar 2010.

 

TBO from engine S/N 6,773.779 is 2000hr/15 years.

 

Engines from 4,418.108 can be extended to the same 2000hr if plug screw of the oil pump changed (841982 to 841983...minor), main electric fuel pump changed at 1000hr (minor), and a different crankcase fitted which is standard from S/N 4.419.315...my engine is S/N 4.419.408 (crankcase 06.1114)...made it by 93 engines!

 

If your engine is from 4,418.108 to 4.419.314 the cost of the crankcase would have to be taken into account to see if the cost benifit of a 800hr increase in TBO is financally sound. After that numder I think it's a "no brainer".