DIY rebuild

Re: DIY rebuild

by Rob Seaton » 7 years ago

Rob Seaton

3 1.32k 251

One caveat for sure: "ignorance is bliss"
If you are not trained, very experienced, have the proper tools and equipment you are taking an unnecessary risk.
Not that they are a complicated engine, it just has some critical differences from other engines.

Re: DIY rebuild

by Roger Lee » 7 years ago

Roger Lee

131 5.38k 5.44k

Agreed

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Roger Lee
LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
520-349-7056 Cell

Re: DIY rebuild

by Jim Cates » 7 years ago

Jim Cates

3 6 0

Agreed as well......the engines are complicated and far different than Lycoming and Continental, which are benchmarks of simplicity that I have worked on and flown behind for 36 years. The one piece crank/conn rod assembly confounds me as well. No other engine manufacturer has chosen this methodology that I am aware. Thanks for allowing me to see the light. The trade-off of high rpm, reduction drive, water cooling to save a few pounds over a conti or lycoming seems a rather high price to pay.

Re: DIY rebuild

by Rob Seaton » 7 years ago

Rob Seaton

3 1.32k 251

Nice setup Jim, I fell right into that one.
Far different, yes.
I would also never recommend that a Rotax overhaul tech to dive into a Lyc or Conti overhaul: he would be so bewildered by the huge tolerances, silk string, and the 100+ extra pounds.

Re: DIY rebuild

by Jim agua » 7 years ago

Jim agua

1 4 0

I don't believe that Rotax supports overhaul. It can be done but the cost of tooling and parts specified by Rotax is prohibitive. I just paid $4300 for the pushrod / rocker replacement (still waiting to be reimbursed) that's right - 20% of the cost of the engine is the pushrods and rockers. I do know folks that have done it and feel safe about it. There's also a place in Europe that can split the crank and put it back together.

If I were serious about overhaul I would consider one of the aftermarket performance shops and pump it up.