I am reluctant to tempt providence but I also am very happy with my Rotax
914. Starts first time everytime and so far (touch wood) has not missed a
beat. My own tips fwiw are pay particular attention to Carb balancing,
dynamic prop balancing and keep away from Avgas as far as possible.
regards,
Mike (G-JULZ)
----- Original Message -----
From: <kbcarpenter@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Rough 914
>
> Put me down as one who is happy with the Rotax 914. There have been a few
> minor issues in the first 250 hours, but they are not the engine's fault.
> It did help to balance the carburetors. I had to adjust the turbo linkage.
> Overheating was an issue early on, now solved but not the engines fault.
> Every engine has these quirks. I have a Skylane and have to replace
exhaust
> gaskets more often than I think I should, its a nagging issue for 25
> years(also the starter going bad, the voltage regulator replace. on AD
> mags,etc). I consider the Lycoming O 540 a fine engine anyway. Things
break
> and you fix them. From what I hear, the Rotax engine has a good record of
> getting people back on the ground safely. It can run rough if you give it
a
> lot of 100LL and no TCP. It is designed to run best on auto gas. I like
> the Rotax quiet operation. It is very neighbor friendly in the noise
> department. Look them all over but I think you are correct that the
squeaky
> wheels are the ones most often heard.
> Ken Carpenter
> A123 N9XS 914 Mono
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Fred R. Klein" <fklein@orcasonline.com>
> To: <europa-list@matronics.com>
> Subject: Re: Europa-List: Rough 914
>
>
> <fklein@orcasonline.com>
> >
> > on 8/28/04 10:52 AM, Dave Anderson at dja767@charter.net wrote:
> >
<dja767@charter.net>
> > >
> > > Hi group,
> > >
> > >
> > > Here is another problem to solve. I have noticed a roughness at the
> middle
> > > range of RPM on the 914 engine...
> >
> > >I never get easy problems. They always seem to be perplexing
problems...
> >
> >
> > $.02 worth of comment, unfortunately of no help to Dave:
> >
> > I'm most sympathetic with anyone who experiences recurring engine
> problems;
> > Dave's appears (to me) to be another of a long string of complaints or
> > difficulties by many Europa flyers with the Rotax engines. In reading
> them,
> > I am increasingly distressed in that one of the primary factors leading
up
> > to my decision to buy the Europa was that it was paired with a reliable
> > engine based on current (rather than 1930-1940's) technology...I just
> > couldn't justify going with alternatives which relied on the
> > Lycoming/Continental paradigm.
> >
> > From the shared experiences I read about, my confidence in the Rotax
> appears
> > misplaced.
> >
> > I'll be upfront by saying I've yet to invest a nickel in the Europa FFWD
> > kit, so I have an open mind (and eventually an
> open-but-limited-pocketbook)
> > to consider the obvious question about moving forward with my original
> > intention of sticking with the integrated, well-proven, stock,
> > company-supported, hi tech, Rotax FFWD package.
> >
> > Perhaps I'm only reading about the squeaky wheels...perhaps there are
> > several hundred Rotax-engined Europas putting in fuel, tearing up the
> skies,
> > changing oil, having a ball and nary a squawk. I've monitored the
> > transatlantic globe girdling trip of that German diplomat (my apologies,
> his
> > name escapes me)...surely his installation speaks to reliability.
> > Unfortunately, my sense is that the Rotax needs a lot of, if not
constant,
> > tweaking.
> >
> > Of course I've read nothing to suggest that Rotaxes are falling out of
the
> > skies, but my goal (or is it an impossible dream?) with my Europa is to
> log
> > 500-1000 hours with only "normal" maintenance after an initial shakedown
> > ...something akin to the 550 hrs. I've logged in my 1946 Stinson. Seems
> > reasonable what with our technological advances.
> >
> > To that end, I'm willing to be shown the errors in my assessment, but
I'm
> > also willing to look at alternatives...as long as I can stay away from
> > putting an original airframe/powerplant together, something which is far
> > beyond my competance. I would consider, for example, going with a CAM
125
> > ala Alex Bowman's monowheel, pictures of which along with minimal
> narrative
> > are available at http://www.firewall.ca/main.html (click on Photo
> Gallery),
> > should all FFWD components become available. (I first saw Alex's
completed
> > ship at the EAA Arlington WA fly in and it was very impressive.)
> >
> > ...somewhat perplexed...
> >
> > Fred
> > A194, happily starting on wings
> >
> >
>
>
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