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  #1  
Old 06-23-2014, 07:15 AM
Ex Bonanza Bucko Ex Bonanza Bucko is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 291
Default Rotax 912 ULS Break In

I have a new S-LSA with the Rotax 912 ULS in it. I can't find any documentation about break in procedures or times in the Rotax or RV12 books. The oil temp at 5000 RPM cruise on a warm day (82F) is right up at the caution mark....266F.

What should I expect about this?

Thanks,
EBB
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  #2  
Old 06-23-2014, 10:14 AM
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MartySantic MartySantic is offline
 
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Location: Davenport, IA
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To my knowlegde, Rotax has not published a break-in procedure for the 912. Per the POH....

Oil Temperature
Minimum 122° F
Normal in Cruise 190° to 230° F
Caution Range (yellow arc) 230° F to 248° F
Maximum (red line) 248° F

Couple of questions, what is your static RPM at wide open throttle? What is the distance between the muffler and the oil cooler? Many of us have moved the oil cooler forward about an inch to get it away from the muffler (may not be an option for your S-LSA). Is the oil cooler properly seated? Is anything blocking the front or rear of the oil cooler? Have you called Van's?

Your temperatures are way TOO high! Did you mean to say 266 degF??
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Last edited by MartySantic : 06-23-2014 at 10:17 AM.
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  #3  
Old 06-23-2014, 10:35 AM
roger lee roger lee is offline
 
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Location: Tucson, AZ
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There is no real published break-in procedure. The high temp is a concern. This can be caused by low fluid level, reduced hose radius (common) when it gets warm that slows flow, a large section of air in the system or an over pitched prop. If you are using Evans coolant this will cause the over heat. Use 50/50. If you are using 50/50 coolant don't go over 248F.
Think of this engine as a motorcycle engine and not a loose tolerance, air cooled Cont. or Lycoming eng. When you buy a new motorcycle you get on it at the sales center and ride it home. If you buy an ATV you take it out a ride it. It was run at the factory for a short time. Let it warm up well for the first flight. During the first flight vary the throttle some. Make sure you don't have the prop pitch set too course so it won't over stress the engine components. Take off rpm can vary some, but right around 4850-5000 is pretty normal. This should give you at least 5500-5650 WOT flat & level rpm.

Check fluids and looks for leaks after landing for the first flight.

Make sure you register your engine with Rotax and make sure you do the 25 hr. Rotax warranty inspection which includes an oil change. Make sure it gets logged in your logbook.

Most of all have fun with your new plane.
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Last edited by roger lee : 06-23-2014 at 10:41 AM.
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  #4  
Old 06-23-2014, 04:46 PM
Ex Bonanza Bucko Ex Bonanza Bucko is offline
 
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Location: San Diego, California
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Default Rotax 912 ULS break in and oil temp

Thanks to Marty and Roger for their info. Re the oil temp: I had that wrong...the max is up into the caution range at about 235 while cruising at 5000 RPM at about 4500 feet on a warm day. It cools down when I reduce power to 4000....down to about 190. Sorry for the bad dope.

My Max RPM on the bird is about 5200 RPM. I have a total of 23 hours on the engine and bird from Van's. That is how it was delivered.

Re the Rotax Warranty oil change and inspection: I will have local A&P do the oil change and log it but I don't know what the inspection may include...I find no notes on that in any of the Rotax or RV12 docs I have....I think I have all of them.

There are not Rotax certified mechanics in San Diego and I am not aware of any of them anywhere close.

What do you suggest about that?

Thanks a bunch for your advice and help.
EBB:-)
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  #5  
Old 06-23-2014, 05:33 PM
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WingedFrog WingedFrog is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex Bonanza Bucko View Post

There are not Rotax certified mechanics in San Diego and I am not aware of any of them anywhere close.

What do you suggest about that?

Thanks a bunch for your advice and help.
EBB:-)
Check with a flight school that offers training on LSAs, they would work with Rotax certified mechanics. I doubt there is no Rotax expertise in the San Diego area.
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  #6  
Old 06-23-2014, 05:46 PM
mrt890 mrt890 is offline
 
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http://www.rotax-owner.com/support-topmenu/find-service

Ought to be someone here that is nearby
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  #7  
Old 06-23-2014, 08:58 PM
Mich48041 Mich48041 is offline
 
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Location: Riley TWP MI
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Bruce,
If you are saying that the maximum RPM at wide open throttle while cruising is 5200, then that is too slow. The prop pitch needs to be changed ASAP.
Joe Gores
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  #8  
Old 06-23-2014, 10:55 PM
alexe alexe is offline
 
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Location: Temecula, CA
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EBB,
There is a Rotax shop at French Valley, only a few minutes flight from you. Let me know if you need more info.
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  #9  
Old 06-24-2014, 10:41 AM
roger lee roger lee is offline
 
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Location: Tucson, AZ
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Hi EBB,

There are several Rotax mechanics around the San Diego area.

You should cruise above 5000 rpm. (5100-5300 is pretty good) It can run at 5500 rpm its entire life. The engine was never designed to run in the 4000's for extended cruising. A little slow flight scenic viewing is fine, but shouldn't be for the life of the engine.
The higher temps are coming from an over loaded engine from a prop pitch set too course at 5200 rpm at WOT. Flatten that pitch by about 1.75 - 2 degrees and get it up around 5550-5700 rpm in flat and level WOT. 5600-5650 is a good place to be for a ground adjustable prop. Too course a prop pitch cause high temps and engine over stress. Some engines have developed cracks on top of the crank case from this. Getting the rpm up to a more normal range will give you cooler temps, less engine stress, better climb, better cruise and top end and better fuel economy.

Read this and it will help:

http://www.rotax-owner.com/rotax-blo...djustable-prop

See these sites for help:

http://rotaxirmt.com/

http://www.rainbowaviation.com/repairman.htm
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  #10  
Old 06-25-2014, 08:55 PM
Ex Bonanza Bucko Ex Bonanza Bucko is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: San Diego, California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roger lee View Post
Hi EBB,

There are several Rotax mechanics around the San Diego area.

You should cruise above 5000 rpm. (5100-5300 is pretty good) It can run at 5500 rpm its entire life. The engine was never designed to run in the 4000's for extended cruising. A little slow flight scenic viewing is fine, but shouldn't be for the life of the engine.
The higher temps are coming from an over loaded engine from a prop pitch set too course at 5200 rpm at WOT. Flatten that pitch by about 1.75 - 2 degrees and get it up around 5550-5700 rpm in flat and level WOT. 5600-5650 is a good place to be for a ground adjustable prop. Too course a prop pitch cause high temps and engine over stress. Some engines have developed cracks on top of the crank case from this. Getting the rpm up to a more normal range will give you cooler temps, less engine stress, better climb, better cruise and top end and better fuel economy.

Read this and it will help:

http://www.rotax-owner.com/rotax-blo...djustable-prop

See these sites for help:

http://rotaxirmt.com/

http://www.rainbowaviation.com/repairman.htm
Roger....and everyone else too: Thanks a bunch for your info. I only have two hours of solo in the bird and after a five hour initial checkout. I suspect that my memory of the rpm at cruise is a little warped because I was intent on learning a whole bunch of new stuff. The ferry pilot who brought the bird here to San Diego from Aurora, Jose Gutierrez, thinks he was turning about 5500 at cruise. I will fly the bird either tomorrow or Friday to confirm that.
I have 23 hours on the airplane now including the ferry time. I have arranged to have a local Rotax mechanic help me/show me and do the oil change and engine inspection needed by the warranty.
If there is a problem with the RPM I will tell you ...and Gus Funnell too but I don't think there is a problem.
Thanks again...and I'll tell you more as I turn myself into an RV12 pilot instead of an old Bonanza pilot :-)
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