Rotax 912

[Robert]

Hi All

 

What are the max hours recomended before the rotax 912 needs a rebuild? It it possible to rebuild the motor to 0 hours?

 

And if so can this be done by any qualified person ?

 

 

[Guest micgrace]

Hi,

 

It is possible to zero hour any engine, if not a cheap

 

exercise. Possibly for this engine, reground/new crank, crack test of

 

all parts (x ray / dye penetrant). New bolts,

 

rebore/sleeve, new vavles and guides, rebuilt/new cam/gearsnew/rebuilt

 

carbs, pump, rebuilt redux unit starter/alternator/dist. and so on.

 

But knowing the purchase price of this engine,could quite possiblybe economical.

 

As for qualified (LAME), depends what category (aircraft)

 

it's in. No doubt the agent can recommend someone in your area. Would

 

also need to check on parts availability esp. u/s brgs o/s pistons. Or

 

there might be available an exchange unit ?? There will be an online

 

parts catalogue at Rotax, but you will need to know what you are

 

looking at.

 

I vaguely recall some aircraft engine mob at Archerfield having just that (reco unit).

 

Hope that helps somewhat. Micgrace

 

disclaimer. This is just conjecture. You will need to check with the agent, LAME

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

i have listened to a few conversations on the pracability of rebuilding

 

any Rotax engine. this is what a major Rotax agent/rebuilder in the

 

states had to say. other than top end overhalls it is impractical cost

 

wise to do complete overhalls. it is a bettter exersise to replace the

 

whole engine with new. this is the preferred method by the

 

manufacturer. the cost of parts and labour come in over the cost of a

 

new engine. liability is higher for a rebuilt engine. so the

 

manufacturer has priced the major components to relect this.

 

also interesting to note that the US Air Force use a large number of

 

912's for the unmanned drones. As the electronics in these are worth a

 

small fortune the engines are replaced with only a few hundred hrs and

 

are then DESTROYED and buried. enough to make you cry i think. seach

 

thru the archives of ultraflight radio.com for some interesting

 

information on rebuilding and maintaining Rotax engines, Ozzie

 

 

[Guest micgrace]

I'd get some quotes on whatan overhauled one would cost and compare it to new price.

 

These

 

engines are expensive, so the possibility of a rebuild costing less

 

than the engine is high. But this is not a type of engine for amateurs

 

to have a go at under any circumstances.

 

Alsoanother subject worth mentioning is liability of self maintenence.

 

If

 

I amfinished with an "experimental aircraft" i.e. self maintainedI

 

would break it up for parts, including the engine and not resaleit at

 

all. It really has come to this stage in this country And no passengers

 

except for immediate family (kids/wife) when flying.

 

Micgrace

 

disclaimer. This is conjecture only and anyone is requested to approach an appropriately qualified LAME for advice

 

 

[greggf]

After my 912 has carried me safely for 1,500 hours (recommended tbo) I shall bury it with full honours and gratefully buy a new one.

 

For $15 (or so) per hour, it is cheap life insurance.

 

Gregg

 

 

[Guest Tassieladyflyer]

Can anyone give me an idea how much a Rotax 912 replacement would cost... Thanks

 

 

[Guest pelorus32]

Last time I enquired regarding the Rotax 912ULS (100hp) it was ~$AUD23,000. But since then there has been a lot of currency movement and this may have affected the price. Ring Bert Flood.

 

If it's for a Gazelle then the price will be different as I think the Gazelle uses the 80hp 912 but it uses the certified version. Ian should be able to help there.

 

Regards

 

Mike

 

 

[BigPete]

You could buy a Jabiru 6 cylinder (120 hp) and have enough left over to run it for 2 years....;)

 

regards