skippydiesel

Hi IBob, Speculation: Would not a made to measure rectangular steel plate, say 4-5 mm thick, spread the load better than a stack of washers?? You could also consider hard rubber (or metal) spacer, back bolt shaft, between fuselage & retaining plate, to limit the pivoting action.

Nev: Your "facts" may sometimes be correct but all to often, not relevant to the matter under discussion. The statement above is a prime example What has the above statement, got to do with my sale of Hengst fuel filters????

Fuel injection is a whole other ball game - check out the expensive, large, metal cased, fuel filters specified for Rotax iS engines. Your logic "Less filter area means it will block quicker" is only so good as the projected level of fuel contamination. High contamination (poor quality/refueling practise) the filter with less area will block quicker, no argument. If this is your concern, get a bigger filter. If on the other hand, take care with what you put in your fuel tank, these filters are more than up to the job. In the 10 + or so years I used these Hengst filters, on my first Rotax 912ULS & since in serval ground based machines, never came close to a blockage, ergo filter catchment surface area more than adequate for the job & my refueling technique. Hengst H 102 WK & H 103 WK filters are used by several European light aircraft makers - ergo the factory find performance to be adequate for job. These filters are also used, as a prefilter, in a number of fuel injected European vehicles eg Mercedes cars/light commercials "Ridicule me ..........." Exaspiraton is not ridicule, its a level of annoyance. ".....and preserve your FACT FREE zone." On what basis do you feel it's appropriate to attack my integrity?? Make amends - purchase a few filters😈

Probably a great deal larger than the RAA level aircraft it looks like.😈

Without prejudice, I put forward this regulator that also has a good reputation: https://www.silent-hektik.de/UL_R_912.htm

Hi BurnieM, I refer you to Rotax 912 Line Maintenance as earlier stated Rotax, MAINTENANCE MANUAL LINE, Chapter 12-20-00, Page 57 "...................... Apply heat conduction compound sparingly and do not apply to the first three threads. Apply small amount of heat conduction compound to spark plug thread and tighten spark plug to 16 Nm (142 in. lb) on the cold engine

Googled price again - My thanks to Blue PRICE REDUCED TO $8/filter

Predictable as ever Nev To the best of my knowledge concertina/wavy paper filter media fuel filters are advised against by most, if not all small aircraft makers. Reasons: There is always the potential for the media to break down It's not easy for the pilot to assess the degree of contamination. Gauze filters are recomend. The selection of in line gauze filters with transparent casing is not great. There are other makers, Baldwin probably has the best selection - same sort of design as the Hengst, however they supply both longer & larger diameter variants (greater filter area) however space may become an issue for some instalatons. I have used these Hengst filters for about 15 years and found them to be excellent. Always carried a spare but never used it.

Thanks - interesting - I Googled them for supply in Au and came up with a price in the mid $20's - will investigate and adjust if needed.

"You might get away with doing none of it. but why not apply best practice? Prevention is better than cure. Nev." I can not imagine that there would not be a dissenting word again this sentiment Nev. Does this mean that you now support my position, on following Rotax service instructions, for the installation of spark plugs, in their 9 series engines? In case the above sentiment is not a change of heart by you: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotax_912: Rotax 9's have been in production since 1989 (Certified production commenced in 1995). 50,000 units had been produced by 2014. Total flight hours is in excess of 45 million. Whatever service techniques you may legitimately use on other aircraft and ground based engines, it seems to me that the above achievements, by Rotax, strongly suggest following their (not your) service directions ie "apply best practice"😈

I suggest you go back at least a page, possibly two - this is not about a specific product or its cost (I have suggested an alternative, lower cost, more readily available (in AU) product, that still meets/exceeds Rotax specification). It seems to have descended into a debate about the merits of the manufacturer (Rotax), recommended service/maintenance procedure, with regard to using a type of conductive (heat sink) paste on the threads of the plug. There are those who advocate anti-seize, oil and no conductive past at all in this procedure - all at variance to Rotax recommendation.

The master of the out of context comment and the non sequential tangent - in your words "get real"

Nev; What problem?? When you have your own Rotax 9 you may do as you wish with it. I choose to follow Rotax instructions, for the maintenance of their engines. " Bits of silicone block small oilways too. I stopped using it as a sealant years ago. I stopped using it as a sealant years ago". What on earth has silicon sealant got to do with the use of thermal/conductive paste on spark plug thread ????

I understand that you might think this, however my search for alternative service items is ALWAYS with the proviso that they meet/exceed Rotax specifications. When it comes to matters of maintenance technique & specification - I follow the book. I agree. I think it likly that the heatsink paste, selected by Rotax, has a high zinc (metal) content, presumably to counter the insulating properties of the silicon. Further speculation, the combination of zinc & silicon is likly to have much to do with raising the melting point of the paste, so that it persists/remains in position doing its job. I note that pastes of this nature are prevalent in the electronic world for use with heat sink systems. I presume that the specification that product Rotax has selected has an appropriate mix/ratio of insulating silicon: zinc for the purpose intended. "Properties Specific features • Thermally conductive Technical data General Characteristics Property Condition Value Method Appearance - white - Bleeding (at 200°C/30h) - max. 0.4 % FED-STD 791 M 321 Density 23 °C 2.1 g/cm³ DIN EN ISO 1183-1 A Dielectric strength - 10 kV/mm IEC 60243-1 Dissipation factor 50 Hz 9 x 10⁻³ IEC 62631-2-1 Loss of weight⁽¹⁾ - max. 1.2 % FED-STD 791 M 321 Operating temperature range - -40 - 200 °C - Penetration (unworked)⁽²⁾ - 194 - 238 1/10mm DIN ISO 2137 Permittivity 50 Hz 3.5 IEC 62631-2-1 Solidifying point - approx. -45 °C - Thermal conductivity - 0.6 - 0.8 W/m.K ASTM D 5470-12"

Factunter/BurnieM I have no issue with your advice, for all ground based vehicles and indeed for all non Rotax 9 aircraft engines (of which I know nothing about maintenance). Indeed I pretty well practise what you are preaching BUT when it comes to Rotax 9 aircraft engines - the Rotax Maintenance Manuals are my bible and I would advise others to follow only Rotax advice.

The Peter Anson Jack - http://www.ansoneng.com/lightweight-screw-jack/ I had to fabricate an adapter for my Sonex wheel axle, for the jack "saddle" to lift against but otherwise have found this little jack to be "the ants pants"

It's amazing how conversations on this Forum can dive down unexpected, often entertaining/instructive "rabbit holes". This is not one of those beneficial digressions - there are certain people who have voiced opinions, completely unrelated to the maintenance of Rotax 9 engines regarding the installation of spark plugs. I warn Rotax maintainers against these opinions (anti size and unspecified lubricants) - they have no application in the installation of spark plugs in Rotax 9 engines. Rotax, MAINTENANCE MANUAL LINE, Chapter 12-20-00, Page 57 "...................... Apply heat conduction compound sparingly and do not apply to the first three threads. Apply small amount of heat conduction compound to spark plug thread and tighten spark plug to 16 Nm (142 in. lb) on the cold engine

Heat & electrical conductivity.

I can not make an informed comment, other than to say when it comes to Rotax product recommendations, I go by their advice, whenever possible. In this case (heat sink compound for spark plugs) Rotax advise Wacker P12 Paste - very difficult to find in Au. Rotax Owners Forum technician Roger Lee, has suggested MG Chemicals Heat Transfer Compound Silicon as an appropriate substitute, that he has used to good effect for 23 years. https://www.rotax-owner.com/en/912-914-technical-questions/9293-is-this-spark-plug-thermal-paste-ok?start=15

Peter Anson makes a beauty at a very reasonable price

I lust after (the look of) the straight tailed Cessna

Thanks for that JG3 Wait a minute --- JG 3 ---any relation to P3?????😈 Could this be a plot??? Who/ Me? Paranoid??????

As soon as the weather stabilises (will it happen like it used to?) I want to start touring in my new Sonex Legacy. Your experince goes some way to reassure me but, if caught with a flat on some isolated strip (wee stop or similar) I would still like to be able do a quick repair, so that I could make it to a more hospitable location, with possible help, shelter & additional equipment if required. I have always been suspicious of "mechanics in a bottle" but if this emergency tyre repair gets me to where I want to go, it will be well worth crippling cost😎

Without a doubt a Gentleman "I understood from your previous comment that you were happy ..." hmmmm! "happy"? would have liked to get more, from those who have already taken the risk (if indeed they have and this is not just second hand theorising)"..........enough to experiment with a tyre repair product on yourself," point of clarification; will not be applying to any part of my anatomy😎 "......am certainly still interested in other peoples experiences with managing 'away' punctures." me too. As indicated will be carrying a bottle/applicator of the Holts magic potion - the alternative - a pump/spare tube/tools/jack & patches, which I may also carry until such time that the mechanic in a bottle is a proven solution. As is pointed out earlier - I am fairly confident that, these products will allow for TO but what of the landing some time later? not so sure. 😈