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Re: Europa-List: Oil - Rotax - Synthetic or other

Subject: Re: Europa-List: Oil - Rotax - Synthetic or other
From: William Daniell <wdaniell.longport@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 9 May 2023 09:31:05
Thanks Bud
So Ill stick with sp4

William Daniell
+1 786 878 0246

On Sun, May 7, 2023, 04:35 Bud Yerly <budyerly@msn.com> wrote:

> Will,
>
> Aeroshell Sport Plus 4 (Aeroshell SP4) is good for either Mogas (AKI 91 o
r
> R+M/2) of 91 or 92 and is fine also with 100LL IAW Rotax Service letters
> and experience.
>
>
> Any other oil must have the proper gearbox additives used in motorcycles
> as Area 51 noted also.  We used to use Mobile MX4T (now known as Racing
> 4T Motorcycle oil) which is a motorcycle/ATV oil using additives for
> gearboxes bathed in engine oil.  Do not use regular Mobile One in a Rotax
> although many did until after 2011-2012 914-SB-19??  or so when the
> guidance changed due to the gearbox additive not found in Mobile 1 which
> may have caused some gearbox issues of which the Rotax Gods kept secret a
nd
> Rotax went hard over for Aeroshell SP4.  Primary reason was Aeroshell
> doesn=99t change their oil without notice as auto oil manufacturers
 do.  If
> you use TCP and SP4 the lead settles in the tank when the oil cools.  As
> you all know I change oil every 25-30 hours anyway as I believe in routin
e 25
> hour inspections and since I use and will continue to use 100LL it keeps
> the oil can cleaner.  You also know I don=99t follow hearsay and do
 my own
> research (Have internet, will research!).
>
>
> Miscellaneous Ramblings:
>
> If using Super Premium Auto Fuel AKI 91 (whatever the local station calls
> it) we never had a problem with the Mobile MX4T but there were starting
> issues if the gas was old.  But even at a higher oil change interval,
> look at the cost difference:
>
>
> I fly less than most of you, so Aeroshell SP4 is cost effective.  SP4 is
> about $11-15 a quart and MX4T is about $12-15 a quart.  Depending on
> where you buy it.  I buy the SP4 a case at a time (12 quarts) for about
> $135 including shipping, and the 4T is about $86 for 6 quarts plus shippi
ng.
> Again, depending on where you buy your oil costs change.  Since only a
> few airports across the US carry MOGAS of 91 AKI, I can=99t avoid l
eaded
> AVGas use.  I stick with the SP4.  Do I religiously use the TCP fuel
> additive?  Well, I try to.  If cross country and I need oil and the FBO
> does not stock SP4, I use either the Valvoline semi synthetic motorcycle
> oil or Mobil MX4T to add if my oil level gets low for some reason.
>
>
> Although some say a full synthetic oil only has to be changed every 100
> Hrs, I=99m afraid I have not bought into that.  Florida is hot, hum
id, and
> iron gears are prone to rusting.  Synthetics are great oils, but I
> personally am not inclined to be a test case due to our high humidity
> conditions and the lack of coating Mobile one seems to have in comparison
> to standard oil on the gears when the plane sets for weeks/months.
>
>
> AVGas is averaging now (on cross country) about $7 (Sebring is $5) and
> Premium 92 Octane R+M/2 is about $4/gallon in Tampa.  If I fly 25 hours a
> year how much do I save at 5-6 gal/hr with a 25 hour oil change. (Note I
> really only flew the Europa 10 hours last year.)  My gas use would be 137
> gallons and an oil change is about 3 quarts.  Avgas/SP4 at 5.5GPH $962+33
> for oil =$995 but normally with my discount $688+45=$732 and 91AKI Mo
gas
> use would cost in my area (My FF is 5.8 GPH at 31 inches on Shell Supreme
> fuel) $582 + 45= $625 and I must now consider I can=99t get relia
ble MOGAS on
> cross country at the nice airports, however I still have to worry about b
ad
> or old gas that has been setting at the airport and in my airplane.  For
> me it is not that much of a difference over a years worth of flying but,
> if you only fly local and fly 300 hours a year, you can save quite a bit.
> Those folks overseas that can get good super supreme fuel at airfields an
d
> go 50 hours between oil changes can save enough to pay a month=99s 
hangar fee
> and or a month=99s worth of insurance so it=99s worth it for 
those overseas to
> look for alternatives due to their high fuel costs and oil availability. 
 For
> me, in the Tampa Florida area, it just isn=99t worth the stagnant f
uel issues
> since I fly so little and SP4 works and is relatively cheap to buy for a
> specialty oil.  As far as auto fuel goes vs 100LL, my particular 914
> likes 100LL.  It starts really fast.  No worries about kickback on start
> with that fuel, no matter how old it is.  With ethanol laced super MoGas
> only available here in Tampa, I find that by using 100LL fuel, my carbs a
re
> always clean and have stayed tuned for 4 years, the floats don=99t 
sink and
> my float bowls look like new.  Others in the area are not so lucky that
> fuel with ethanol gas.
>
>
> Note, I had Lockwood do a 500 Hr top overhaul of my 914 running 100LL wit
h
> TCP and SP4 oil and Rotax Filter.  The engine was unbelievably clean on
> the inside.  The oil tank holds the lead in suspension like it is
> supposed to.  The only thing I find is, in the oil filter there are small
> chunks of carbon from the turbo.  There is a new Service Bulletin on the
> 914 turbo can which changes the design and adds a filter screen.  It may
> set too close to my duct so I doubt I can change it without lowering the
> duct.  I=99ll see how much it costs.  I like the design but, I prob
ably
> will be shocked by the price.  To tell you the truth I can=99t wait
 for the
> new unleaded AVGas either.  I bet the AVGas price jumps 30% initially
> when it comes out.
>
>
> So, the choice is yours.  Research and do your own math for your flying
> needs and fuel/oil costs.  I wouldn=99t skimp on fluids though.  Go
od fresh
> gas, and good oil are a must.  Maintenance becomes more of a time change
> requirement with proper fluids.  Do the inspections and time changes and
> your plane will reward you with only periodic maintenance and leave you
> more money for upgrades.
>
>
> You all know what keeps an airplane flying don=99t you.MON
EY!
>
>
> Bud Yerly
>
>
> *From:* owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com <
> owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com> *On Behalf Of *William Daniell
> *Sent:* Friday, May 05, 2023 10:50 AM
> *To:* europa-list@matronics.com
> *Subject:* Europa-List: Oil - Rotax - Synthetic or other
>
>
> Whats is the consensus on the best oil.
>
> I have used the Aeroshell sport PLUS 4 oil up to now mainly because I use
d
> AVGAS in Colombia.  (Mogas was of doubtful quality.)
>
> I have since heard that lost of people use Mobil Synthetic.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> William Daniell
>
> LONGPORT
>
> +1 786 878 0246
>


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