Microlighters

Below is an e-mail from Chris van Eeden:
(my reply will follows)

while doing my pre-flight I noticed little black flakes in the carb bowls.
Some were minute, but others +- 1 - 3mm in diameter. This really scared me,
but I could find no debris in the fuel filter or the fuel tank. I then
noticed what looked like pit marks on the floats - and the bigger ones were
perfect fits for the big flakes!

I scratched the surface of the float (on the undamaged parts) with my finger
nail and as able to easily flake off some more pieces - penetrating the
interior "spongy bit" with ease. These floats are +- 3 years old, and
according to Amith at Aviation Engines this should not happen.

What does happen is that, due to me not flying for up to two weeks at a
time, the fuel in the float bowls evaporates completely - drying the floats
out every time. Could this be the cause, or does the new fuel perhaps have
something to do with it? Anybody had (having) the same experience? I use
premix unleaded fuel (Caltex)

Had to order two new sets of floats- now the carbs are OK, but I got no
money left for fuel.

Regards,

Chris van Eeden
ZU-CVZ

I have talked to Chris about this at length and asked him to send me pictures and the actual parts back as soon as possible.

INSPECT your floats before your next flight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contact me immediately if you find the same as Chris has. Return the floats to me immediately with the following information:

Engine Serial No.
Operating Hours
Oil used
Fuel used

I will be contacting Rotax in Austria about it immediately and I will keep everyone informed.

Hello Niren

Who manufacture these carbs?? I've seen the Bing54 carbs being used on BMW bikes!!

Thanks for the warning, will check specifically for it before the next flight. Regards, Rudi

The matter is presently with the quality department at Rotax for investigation. I will inform everyone when I get a reply.

Herewith a copy of a message I have just sent to Chris van Eeden.

Dear Chris,

Rotax are unable to make a decision just on the pictures, they want the floats sent to them urgently so they can investigate further, below is a copy of their message.

Dear Niren,

Sorry to bother you again: Could you please be so kind and send us those 4 damaged floats? Our Quality Department wants to see them for an investigation.

Best regards and thanks in advance
Have a nice weekend!
Martin Lauber
Technician Product Support Aircraft Engines
BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG
Welser Strasse 32
4623 Gunskirchen, AUSTRIA
http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com

Please advise if you have already sent the parts and when can I expect to receive them, I will need to return them by DHL.


In the meantime I would like to ask everyone using 503 and 582 engines to inspect the carb floats before every flight until we finalise this matter. I have had no further similar reports and this may just be an isolated case, however, I will continue to keep you’ll informed.

It has been said before but I'd like to say it again.

Niren it's not often that one gets service like this anywhere. You guys obviously are not out to make a quick buck. Thanks for the great replies and the info that you allways give.

Great job!!!!!!

Hi Niren,
Checked my carbs Sat 4th and did not find any signs of the problem Chris has had with his Floats. :D :D :D
I fly an Aerotrike Spirit 11 with a 582 (Grey top) 1999 model and have just reached 270 hrs.(Engine)
I use BP Cleaner Unleaded fuel and Total Super Outboard oil. I have on occasions used Avgas and the old 97 grade petrol.

As Cali said thanks again for the great service.
A big thanks to Demon for the great web site without which we would not have known about this (and other) problem.

PeterL
ZU-CLU