Engine Preservation

[dsm8]

Good Evening:

I have recently hung my engine on my RV-12. It has been out of the protective precautions for nearly a year. It will be several months before I can start the engine. Can someone point me to the Rotax engine preservation "pickling" process. Although I am not sure if this matters, but while following he KAI instruction I released remaining oil in the crankcase. Any advise would be appreciated

 

[Bob Y]

Haven’t seen pickling guidance but a 24-month storage period is allowed, after that, looks like just inspection is required. You may be ok.

 

[jetset44]

I'm in the same boat, it's been over a year since I unwrapped and installed my engine but probably another 6 months before I'll be ready to start it. I talked to Lockwood earlier this year, and they said it's important get fresh oil into the engine as soon as you can (i.e., after the oil tank, lines and radiator are installed), and to seal off all air from entering the crankcase. So I filled the oil tank with 4 qts of fresh oil and purged the system to get oil circulated throughout the engine. After that, you should turn the engine over a few revolutions once every 3 months to keep the oil well-distributed (per the Rotax heavy maint manual). That should leave the engine in good shape for the 24 month limit. But they also pointed out that there really isn't a lot than can corrode inside this engine, so there's not a lot of risk. Mostly you want to get oil into the lifters.

To keep air out, I kept all plastic caps in place as long as I could and also sealed the muffler exhaust with duct tape.

Steve

 

[rv8ch]

Not a Rotax, but I put as much oil as I could in the engine, used one of these spark plug dryers in each cylinder, sealed the throttle intake, and put an old sock filled with desiccant in each exhaust pipe. Some Camguard could also help.

https://www.amazon.com/Plug-Dri-Engine-Desiccant-Plug-Threads/dp/B00BY82XKM

Clearly if this conflicts with Rotax's recommendations, follow theirs.

 

[Piper J3]

Bottom end will be OK. Rotax 9-series is a sealed crankcase with no vent. I'd put a few drops of synthetic motor oil in each cylinder and turn engine a couple of blades twice / month....