This doesn't look like it's going to be a ton of fun.
Van's Air Force
The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!
SB-912 i-016
- Thread starter LettersFromFlyoverCountry
- Start date
According to Rotax-Owner.com:
What is this about?
This Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) requires inspection and possible replacement of the oil spray nozzle in specific ROTAX® 912 i, 915 i, and 916 i Series engines, including certified and non-certified models. It addresses a manufacturing issue where excess LOCTITE® at the sprag clutch housing or oil spray nozzle could block the nozzle, leading to inadequate cooling and potential stator damage, which may result in LANE failure.
I'm not sure. The s/n is 7702217-100089222 and mine is 7705061. I need to find out what in the SB Rotax-Owner.com is seeing to add "and non certified"
I didn't catch that on first skim/read. Glad to hear!
There is a separate SB document that covers non-certified.
Aside from the SB itself, this serves as a reminder that when reviewing technical info on your Rotax engine the best practice will always be to go directly to the source and look for your specific engine model. Even with the best intentions, third parties can filter out info or lead to confusion.
Technical Documentation | Manuals
Knowledge is safety: In our library, we provide technical documents, from manuals to warranty conditions to service letters for your Rotax aircraft engine.
www.flyrotax.com
There is a separate SB document that covers non-certified.
Aside from the SB itself, this serves as a reminder that when reviewing technical info on your Rotax engine the best practice will always be to go directly to the source and look for your specific engine model. Even with the best intentions, third parties can filter out info or lead to confusion.
Technical Documentation | Manuals
Knowledge is safety: In our library, we provide technical documents, from manuals to warranty conditions to service letters for your Rotax aircraft engine.
Cool. On this version, I escape
Completely agree with always going to the source site to find relevant documents. And one more hint on finding these docs at the Rotax site, don't put in a serial number. Sometimes (like in this case), putting in a serial number can result in the relevant documents not being shown, even if the serial number is within the affected range!
I'll be watching to see if the inspection can be completed without removing the engine from an RV12, specifically whether the assembly with the Rotax special test tool (p/n 976740) can be inserted.
docmoore44
I'm New Here
This is a serious inspection that I believe will require removing the engine from it's mount in order to access the area with the measuring tool that appears not to be available yet. Concerning the 200 hour exemption.... is this arbitrary much like the 5 year hose replacement issue? My engine has 166 hours. The original builder flew it 12 hours from Oregon to Louisiana when it had 100 hours on it. Looks to me that if there was a problem with lack of lubrication it would have shown up during that 12 hour flight that was flown in legs of 3+ hours over a two day period. Am I looking at this wrong? Maybe folks that have experienced problems with this issue will respond to provide us some feedback.
Ouch, just delivered engine still in box in the serial number range, guess that's a blessing in disguise. I presume this is covered by warranty and/or Rotax Care. Next hurdle will be when and where will the inspection tool be available and who has to do the inspection to not void the warranty. Can a repair center do the inspection and repair or must it be a service center? Inquiring minds etc....
It appears to be a problem in manufacturing since Jan 2021 to Oct 31 2024 and the serial number list would say its a whole lot of engines. The good thing is we have not seen a bunch of these quitting so a relative likelihood of a single engine to be affected is small, but we still got to look for it.
It appears to be a problem in manufacturing since Jan 2021 to Oct 31 2024 and the serial number list would say its a whole lot of engines. The good thing is we have not seen a bunch of these quitting so a relative likelihood of a single engine to be affected is small, but we still got to look for it.
Your questions regarding 'who' are answered in the SB...
Attachments
DanFrazer
Active Member
I don’t see the builder listed. Am I missing something? What are those who have an engine in their garage and a plane that can’t fly supposed to do? Box up the engine and ship it to Lockwood???
Good reason for builders to spend a few days at Lockwood getting their iRMT.
If you read the SB, a line maintenance qualified person can do the test. That's a two day class at a couple of places, including Lockwood. I found a friend that took the class and has the card. Heck, I might take it myself. The hard part is probably getting the flow meter setup together.
In most parts of the country it should not be hard to find an IRMT. I think you'll be surprised how many are out there. It's also an opportunity to network with another Rotax person, maybe even another builder. There's lots of us out there. The inspection can be done by the lowest level, but the nozzle replacement requires a higher level and could be a little tougher to find. In any case, start by talking to one of the big distributors and sort out warranty questions then find an IRMT to do the inspection. Hopefully that's all that is necessary.
There will be some delay due to the special tool. Hopefully it's a short-term problem and a 3D file gets circulated so that we can just make that part.
As a builder, you also have the option of doing nothing. The SB does not create a regulatory obligation from you. You'll be putting your warranty at risk along with your butt and your airplane...but it's an option.
Flow meter setup should even be pretty easy once we have the special tool. As I understand things, so far there are only 3 on the way to the US from BRP! There is some hope that the meter assembly will fit in place in the RV-12 without pulling the engine, but I'm not sure it's actually been in anyone's hands to try.
I concur about the inspection by an IRMT, the hitch is if the nozzle needs replacing the Rotax Care info leads me to believe its a distributer service center or an approved repair center. The time issue will be the special tool and lack there of. This may be a opportunity of putting together a traveling test kit together for members to "borrow" and pass along. Do we know where the 3 tools are headed? Lockwood, Aeromotive?
My educated *guess* would be Motive, Lockwood, and APS (previously Leading Edge).
Yes, and a year to inspect hundreds of engines, repair those that need it with 3 tools....I hope they can ship more in a hurry. And here I thought radiators were going to be my rate limiting step. :>)
philcam
Well Known Member
If you’re a member at Rotax-owner.com
forum, they have publish that Rotax will be providing them a file to 3D print the tool and the file will be shared with members to print their own.
A Rotax iRMT isn’t required to perform the work, but it might be required for Rotax to provide and reimbursement. Under “accomplishments” the SB says “Persons approved by the Aviation Authority”. If you have your Light Sport Repairman certificate, this means you.
forum, they have publish that Rotax will be providing them a file to 3D print the tool and the file will be shared with members to print their own.
A Rotax iRMT isn’t required to perform the work, but it might be required for Rotax to provide and reimbursement. Under “accomplishments” the SB says “Persons approved by the Aviation Authority”. If you have your Light Sport Repairman certificate, this means you.
I'd be interested in knowing what led to the SB? The date range of the S/N suggests something changed around 2021 (fortunately, after my engine - which hasn't even been started yet - was delivered). Was there some guy hired who loved using Loctite?
Great point regarding the LSRM/I qualification as well!
I received my engine last week and I will need to comply with the SB
Fun one to speculate on, and I doubt Rotax will ever say. My first reaction was a person not properly trained, maybe rotating through different roles on the assembly line? Maybe an accidental swap or mis calibration of whatever they use to apply the thread lock. Are they counting drops, using a brush, dipping the nozzle? Do they even try to be precise?
Further down the rabbit hole, you can take a look at SI-912i-028. This service instruction is what Rotax points to for more info on application of thread lock to the nozzle. If you read the SI and actually go look up the properties of the Loctite products (243 and 603), they seem like they could be reversed. 243 is for threads and 603 is for mating cylindrical parts...but the SI has you put 603 on the screw threads and 243 on the nozzle. This SI was published in October 2021.
docmoore44
I'm New Here
The amended SB picking up the iS engine changed the starting serial numbers. Make sure you print the two page addendum to see the difference. The iSc engines start at 7702217 whereas the iS engines start at 7706003. I didn’t catch this until I was talking to Dean Hogal at Lockwood. Made me smile as I dodged the bullet.
May be the factory guy was following instructuctions "Apply a small amount of LOCTITE 243 to open end of the oil spray nozzle.Note: Make sure oil supply passage does not get blocked by LOCTITE!" straight from SI-912i-028 paragraph 3.5.4 page 7.
The gyro-copter guys have been having a lot of Lane A faults with stators going bad. I suspect some sharp mechanic said "whats this goo clogging the oil nozzle."
7705061. I made it by the skin of my teeth.
My new and yet to be installed engine IS in the recall group BUT after talking with Lockwood I am not really concerned about this item. Lockwood is most excellent to deal with and they have yet to find a non compliant engine and they will lend me the tool required to do the inspection. Cannot ask for better.
DanFrazer
Active Member
That's good to hear. Are you able to complete the SB yourself? I feel the same as you, the only issue is that I don't have my Repairman certificate yet since my plane doesn't have its airworthiness nor do I have the iRMT certification from Rotax. I understand this to mean I can't compliantly do the SB myself. I could get my Repairman cert, but I'd have to get my airworthiness first and that just feels weird to have a completed plane and then take the motor off to do the SB. Maybe the DAR wouldn't even declare it airworthy without completing the SB?
So, that just leaves me with asking an iRMT rated person who lives nearby to drive to my garage and do the inspection, or for me to go do the iRMT training myself (maybe not a bad idea anyway).
Completing the training is definitely not a bad idea. I’d say it’s a good idea, especially assuming you plan to do most / all of the maintenance on the engine. You’ll keep running into concern about warranty issues otherwise, but I’m certain you’ll learn useful info with the training. I would recommend taking all 3 classes as the ‘Installation’ class is really about specifics to the I-series fuel injected engines.
I know in your later post you said the SB doesn't apply to your SN. But if it did remember there is no requirement for you (ELSA out of warranty) to comply. It is up to you as the owner to decide what SBs you want to complete. The only way this SB would be mandatory for you is if the FAA issued an AD to complete it. (not likely)
My engine was supposed to ship this month (it is awaiting crating at Van’s). I received an email from Van’s today (see the attached excerpt) saying that my engine SN falls within the Rotax SB. Van’s will perform the inspection and repair if needed before shipping it to me, but like everyone else, they’re waiting for the tool from Rotax (which they said they should receive next week). The total delay before shipping is estimated to be 2 weeks. I’m just glad the SB will be complied with before I receive the engine - just barely!
FROM VAN’S:
RV-12 Powerplant Kits Delays - Explanation
Last week, Rotax released two Service Bulletins that apply to the engine in your RV-12iS powerplant kit. These engines are being held so the SBs can be completed before shipping. We will be receiving the necessary tools from Rotax this week and will begin completing the SB. At this time, we expect the delay to be 2 weeks or less. Once we have a better picture of the work involved, we will be able to provide everyone with an updated timeline for shipping. We are working closely with Rotax and will provide additional information as we learn more.
FROM VAN’S:
RV-12 Powerplant Kits Delays - Explanation
Last week, Rotax released two Service Bulletins that apply to the engine in your RV-12iS powerplant kit. These engines are being held so the SBs can be completed before shipping. We will be receiving the necessary tools from Rotax this week and will begin completing the SB. At this time, we expect the delay to be 2 weeks or less. Once we have a better picture of the work involved, we will be able to provide everyone with an updated timeline for shipping. We are working closely with Rotax and will provide additional information as we learn more.
A data point - I received notification from Van’s on 12/24/2024 that they were holding my engine that was otherwise ready for shipment to complete the Rotax SB. I was notified on 12/31 (1 week) that the engine was shipped with scheduled delivery on 1/10/2025. Hopefully the same timeframe will hold for other engines that Van’s will test prior to shipment.
philcam
Well Known Member
Here is a link to a free STL file to download and 3D print the tool needed to test the nozzle. Engine down not need to be removed. Easiest access I’ve found is to remove the coolant overflow tank from the firewall and get to the back of the engine from the top.
ecclestonaviation.co.uk
912 i Series oil nozzle test tool - Eccleston Aviation
Please note this is a not a Rotax Autherised tool *Disclaimer at the bottom of page* Please note this is a digital download for the files to 3d print yourself. It HAS to be printed with 100% infill 912 i … Read More
ecclestonaviation.co.uk
