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My 264 hour one owner Blue Head 582 just dropped its front three crankshaft bearings. The problem was preceded by erroneous magneto operation and was detected by checking the stator movement with a screwdriver through the front hole.

The engine was running like a bomb and did not fail in service.

My question is that on stripping down the engine we found the front bearing had dropped their plastic races and then deposited the roller bearings else where. The strangest thing was that some of the ball bearings were HOLLOW. After rubbing some of the better conditioned balls onto a linisher, it also revealed that they are hollow.

We have sold bearings in the industrial and agricultural world for over 40 years and have NEVER seen a hollow ball.

Rotax in Australia have been very quiet regarding my emails ...... not surprising.
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  • Re: Hollow bearings on Blue Head 582.

    by » 12 years ago


    Don,

    I've seen a lot of bearing failures in Rotax 2 cycles but never one where the balls themselves were damaged to extent your photos show. I had no idea the balls were hollow. If you hear from rotax, I'd be very interested to know what they say. I've never seen hollow balls in any bearing, Rotax or otherwise. All the failures I've ever dealt with were due to the plastic or brass ball cages failing and the balls themselves worn or damaged, but intact.

    Interesting.

    Bill.

  • Re: Hollow bearings on Blue Head 582.

    by » 12 years ago


    Amazing pictures...I wonder what happened very odd,

    I hope the motor is re-buildable Dom.

  • Re: Hollow bearings on Blue Head 582.

    by » 12 years ago


    Thanks for your replies Bill and Nick.

    The engine was still happily running even with half the bearing destroyed.
    We only ceased operating as I detected a strange knocking noise.

    I will post some more photos of the bearings and balls later today.
    We will also be contacting Rotax in Austria and FAG in Germany to ask some questions.

    Thanks,
    Don.

  • Re: Hollow bearings on Blue Head 582.

    by » 12 years ago


    I wish you luck getting a response from Rotax Austria....I tried once and they just forwarded my enquiry to the dealer in my country who then replied for them.

  • Re: Hollow bearings on Blue Head 582.

    by » 12 years ago


    Don,

    Please fill out a CSIR form on our site by following the link below.
    To properly inform Rotax of issues in the field, warranty or otherwise, detailed information is required.
    Please fill out the form entirely (even though items like your propeller serial number etc may seem immaterial).

    Once received, this filled out form will be forwarded to the correct department at the factory and also forwarded to the appropriate Distributor for your area. (also a copy to your provided email address)

    This method gives all valid information required and avoids back and forth emails requesting more information.

    Note: Filling out a CSIR does not constitute a request for warranty, nor does it guarantee a written response directly from Rotax. that's where the Distributors, Service Centres and Repair Centres come in.

    http://www.rotax-owner.com/support-bulletin/csir-service-information-report

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