Just to rebalance the discussions slightly, I have always believed that
the Rotax 912 has been a very reliable engine in service, and has given
many owners hundreds of hours of virtually trouble free flying. Is this
not so?
Rotax recently 'upped' the TBO time on my engine, for a second time, to
1500 hrs: see - http://www.rotax-owner.com
My only personal criticism is that the installation in the Europa has
insufficient power when the aircraft is fully laden, and this means
extra careful consideration must be given to take-off clearance on warm,
windless days. I'm given to understand that a VP prop goes some way to
ameliorate this deficiency.
I think different arguments may come into play when discussing the
merits of the 912S and 914 variants.
Alan
Europa 'Classic', Rotax 912, 580 hrs.
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-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Stephan
Cassel
Subject: RE: Europa-List: 912 Engine Problem - Request for help
<cassel@sensewave.com>
Hi All,
I have read number of messages about Rotax problem round 400 hrs mark or
less.
I not yet decided what engine I will install. Must likely a Rotax 912S.
But I am getting worried about these messages.
I used to have an old Cherokee with an old Lycomming 320, 1400 hrs
Never any problem. I felt very safe flying 30 years old plane.
Question:
Is Rotax a safe Engine? Is it good for 1200-1400 hrs?
I hope so.
Regards,
Stephan Cassel
Builder 556 - Mono
Norway
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Europa
Aircraft
Subject: RE: Europa-List: 912 Engine Problem - Request for help
William,
Check your CHT temps. If they are too low, the engine can fowl, even on
unleaded fuel. I had exactly the same problem, however when I got the
engine to run a little hotter, it went away. The roughness didn't show
up
until the engine had about 400 hrs.
Good Luck!
John Hurst
Europa Aircraft
Lakeland, FL
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of William
Mills
Subject: Europa-List: 912 Engine Problem - Request for help
<combined.merchants@virgin.net>
Hi All,
Has anyone experienced a similar problem and can anyone help with
suggestions please?
On recent flights I have experienced some irregular misfiring when
descending with about quarter throttle and also the occasional hiccup in
cruise, but on my last flight the engine was running so roughly in the
cruise I aborted the flight and nursed it back home.
I carried out some tests on the way back. It ran very smoothly on full
throttle, it ran very smoothly on closed throttle, but in between it ran
very roughly. I checked the ignition when running roughly, but there
was no
change on either mag. I tried coarsening and fining the prop to see if
it
was rpm related, but it wasn't. I changed to reserve tank, but no
change.
The carbs are well balanced at tickover and the engine runs smoothly
right
down to 1500 rpm. The fuel filters are clean. I can only assume that
the
problem is related to carburation, but find it difficult to believe that
one
can have a partial blockage, or too much fuel with a needle jet in its
mid
range only. As tickover is smooth and roughness stops in flight when
descending with closed throttle, I can only assume that the slow running
mixture adjustment and associated jet are OK. Are there any other jets
apart from the main needle and slow running jet to consider? Although I
never have a problem with !
starting, can a problem with the starting carb affect the mid range
running
only? Can a faulty float valve affect mid range only? My engine has
done
about 480 hrs, should I be considering renewing any of the carb parts as
a
precaution / planned maintenance etc? I have had a brief chat with
Conrad,
but he was unable to put his finger on the problem, so presumably my
symptoms are unusual. He suggested I should check the needles for wear
and
the carb rubber mounts / sleeves for splits, which I will.
Many thanks for any help,
Regards,
William
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