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Re: Europa-List: Rotax 914 question?

Subject: Re: Europa-List: Rotax 914 question?
From: Duncan McFadyean <ami@mcfadyean.freeserve.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 20:20:34

<<you WILL foul plugs on 100 LL and reduced power settings eventually>>

Not disputed. This is a problem on the Katanas too; only they are generally 
not run at low speeds, because of there frequent use as training machines.
But I've not experienced that for the short durations that I've used 100LL 
and would have expected that to have occurred logically at any engine speed; 
more so at higher power settings when there is more lead going into the 
engine.

In fact logic is my guiding principle in the absence of proper evidence to 
the contrary!

How's your 1000 hours at 5000rpm going? Will you make TBO? Katanas don't!

Duncan McF.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Thursby" <jthursby@tampabay.rr.com>
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Rotax 914 question?


> <jthursby@tampabay.rr.com>
>
> Don't know about your source but the person I trusted (as did many others
> including Rotax) to keep me informed about the Rotax engines always stated
> "the 912/914 series engine is happiest and will get the best longevity 
> ABOVE
> 5,000 RPM in the cruise".  He is now gone as of July of this year but his
> experience was trusted enough that Kodiak research and Rotax called him to
> assist in product development.  Glen had forgotten more about Rotax 
> engines
> than most of us could ever learn.  He never steered me or anyone I know
> wrong, and I trusted his opinions and ideas about these engines with my 
> life
> on more than one occasion.
> Oh, and you WILL foul plugs on 100 LL and reduced power settings
> eventually.  Or put up with the auto gas smell.  Or have to add TCP all 
> the
> time.   When you have 1,000 plus hours on a 912/914 come back and let us
> know how you're doing.  Keep an eye on the gearbox too.
>
>  Jim T.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
> [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Duncan
> McFadyean
> To: europa-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Re: Europa-List: Rotax 914 question?
>
> --> <ami@mcfadyean.freeserve.co.uk>
>
> OK, I'll bite!
> I cruise at about 4,000rpm. And have done for over 200 hours of use,
> excepting climb-out at 4,800 and the odd spurt to see how fast it will go.
> The plugs are squeaky-clean. The piston crowns are quite clean. There is 
> no
> loss of compression or performance that suggests that the piston rings are
> coked. The engine uses virtually no oil between changes and the oil
> discolouration is mid brown colour at 100 hours.
> Our local Rotax dealer commented flippantly that at these speeds the 
> engine
> would 'last forever'!
>
>
> 



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