Oil Drain Valve for Rotax 912

[Tony_T]

Originally Posted by Driftdown

Tony,

To install the drain with measured torque, did it require you to use a crow foot?

I used a crow-foot.

[rgmwa]

Ditto. Crowfoot and electronic spring balance to measure the pull.

[Driftdown]

Thanks guys.

[cactusman]

Installing this saf-air oil quick drain valve and I am finding that it will not open unless I turn the dome oil tank wire mesh holder upside down (was it upside down to begin with?)

When the bottom holder in the tank is turned dome-side down (which is how I got it and how I have been running it) the oil quick release won't have enough room to push up and open the valve.

If I turn the dome upside down, it seem to fit, but does it matter which way the bottom mesh holder is oriented?

[rvbuilder2002]

The four little tabs around the perimeter are supposed to be towards the bottom of the tank (it is clearly shown in the IPC if you want to see a depiction of how it goes).

This should also give you the most clearance possible.

[cactusman]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

The four little tabs around the perimeter are supposed to be towards the bottom of the tank (it is clearly shown in the IPC if you want to see a depiction of how it goes).

This should also give you the most clearance possible.

Yep I guess it was installed upside down. It's amazing how dirty that oil tank gets - cleaned out now.

So the dome points up and the tabs go down.

[Sink]

There are two types of plates in the bottom of the oil tank. One is an earlier modle. One is flat and the tabs do face down with the flat high surface facing up. Then there is the concave one. With this one the dome faces down and conforms to the bottom shape of the tank. This helps with oil flow. It sounds like you have the concave modle. You can see the differences in the Parts manual and the Line maint. Manual. These plates are interchangeable.

[cactusman]

Originally Posted by Sink

There are two types of plates in the bottom of the oil tank. One is an earlier modle. One is flat and the tabs do face down with the flat high surface facing up. Then there is the concave one. With this one the dome faces down and conforms to the bottom shape of the tank. This helps with oil flow. It sounds like you have the concave modle. You can see the differences in the Parts manual and the Line maint. Manual. These plates are interchangeable.

Well back to my original problem.

If you have an oil tank with the concave/dome bottom mesh holder/partition, you cannot use this I guess.

Anyone have a part number for the old flat one?

Lockwood not even showing it, and I see only one part number in the latest parts manual.

[Sink]

The concave style doesn't accept the drain valve. Possibly a different valve MFG might work? You could contact Lockwood, Leading Edge or CPS and see if they have a flat style. I don't know if they would because it isn't a part that gets damaged, but it won't hurt to ask. Rotax themselves aren't proponents of the drain valve as they worry about leaks and losing oil while flying.
The slower following drain valve also don't give the oil tank a good flush during a draining.

We have discussed in some classes a way for RV12's and other aircaft setups to have an alternative drain route so it doesn't get all over the engine and or firewall. A good way is to get a 6" funnel with a tube attached. Take some thick wire and drill two holes in both sides of the funnel lip. Attach a wire on both sides and then make a hook on the end that can be hung over an engine part to keep the funnel in place. The tube can now run down into a catch basin. The funnel can be suspended under the tank far enough as to not interfer with removing the drain plug.

[WingedFrog]

Originally Posted by cactuspilot

... It's amazing how dirty that oil tank gets ...

I have all my Rotax maintenance done by a Rotax certified AN&P (to avoid any warranty dispute and for my own safety too ). I noticed that when he changes oil he always takes the oil tank to his shop where he drains and cleans it. If this is the right way to change oil for a 912 installing a Drain Valve may not be that useful.