New member of the 'Sinker Club' (carb floats) - Page 7

tomkk · #61 02-13-2019, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piper J3

I just looked at MS website... Is $125 for single float or pair of floats (I hope, I hope)?

$125 for two floats, $250 for both carbs. Plus something like a $7 processing fee and $30 shipping.

E. D. Eliot · #62 02-13-2019, 03:45 PM

These things can't be gold or platinum coated can they? This problem can't be unique to 912s installed in Vans RV-12 can it? Why can't this problem be solved by the manufacturer of the Rotax engine?

Apparently, Rotax doesn't give a d**n or maybe they like the steady income from the sale of floats. They say that there are many thousands of Rotax engines flying- right? Do the Europeans have this same problem? WHY is this happening? It really makes me sorry that I am building an airplane which requires the Rotax to be ELSA legal and cements my desire to build an RV-9 with a good dynasaures Lycoming. I'm pretty unhappy in anticipation of replacing Rotax floats every 50 - 150 hours or one year - whichever comes first.

I'm especially interested to know what problems the Europeans are having with Rotax 912 floats.

DaleB · #63 02-13-2019, 04:09 PM

E. D. --

We are past the 400 hour mark on our RV-12, still using the original floats. Premium ethanol free MOGAS almost all the time, with an occasional tank of 100LL. I can't answer why we have had this experience and some others are having to replace theirs often... but this is certainly not a universal problem.

There's nothing keeping you from making changes to your E-LSA after certification, and for that matter nothing keeping you from making changes beforehand and going E-AB. And if you think Rotax maintenance is bad, I don't think a Lycoming would be all that much better. Magnetos don't last forever, for one thing. There's no perfect solution.

Piper J3 · #64 02-13-2019, 06:09 PM

Odds are you'll be fine. My 12 has 400TT and a friend's 12 has 130TT. Both machines running original floats with 93E10...

RFSchaller · #65 02-13-2019, 07:32 PM

My floats were replaced at 500 hour overhaul of the carbs, but the originals still pass the weight test, so I keep them as spares.

NinerBikes · #66 02-13-2019, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RFSchaller

My floats were replaced at 500 hour overhaul of the carbs, but the originals still pass the weight test, so I keep them as spares.

What floats did you replace with, original Bing Carb floats or the MS brand?

rongawer · #67 02-13-2019, 08:51 PM

Just because Lyc was mentioned...

You could do a UL Power engine...no carbs, no mags...just sayin’.

NinerBikes · #68 02-13-2019, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rongawer

Just because Lyc was mentioned...

You could do a UL Power engine...no carbs, no mags...just sayin’.

And no reduction gearbox. But you really should only run it on Unleaded.

dbhill916 · #69 02-16-2019, 06:40 AM

Burgundy Baron is down for "5-6 weeks" per LEAF for replacement float.

If anyone finds a vendor with a shorter lead time, please let me know.

thanks,
-dbh

Piper J3 · #70 02-16-2019, 07:36 AM

Dave

Are you waiting for Bing floats?

I think if/when I have to replace my floats I will switch to Marvel-Schebler MS80-430 Blue Epoxy Float. I say this with a little trepidation because I have tried numerous times to contact MS regarding their claim of "withstand extreme temperature changes and are truly unsinkable when exposed to the elements!"

MS never responded to my inquires. If the floats have the correct buoyancy and "float" at correct height then they should be good-to-go. MS makes lots of carb floats from this same material and I would assume they have done materials testing in 93E10 as well as avgas.

MS never answered my questions up until last week when I asked if their list price was for a single float or a set of two. $125 is for two floats to retrofit one carb. So, I guess price isn't too bad if floats work as advertised and last for a lifetime.