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I cut my oil filter open and found lots of black specks in it. They are not magnetic. They look like hard black groundup plastic particles.
Any ideas anyone?
  • Re: Particles in oil filter

    by » 12 years ago


    Tim
    It is possibly a failed thrust washer from the gearbox.
    Another sign of a failed thrust washer is a reduction in friction torque.

  • Re: Particles in oil filter

    by » 12 years ago


    Hi Tim,

    I agree with Conrad, but might add this. Are the black particles crushable.? Can you use your finger nail or put them on a flat surface and crush them. If you can then I would say it is just carbon that has come loose from somewhere. It they are so hard they don't crush then the plastic, like Conrad said, is a possibility. Conrad suggested a friction torque check which is a good idea to help diagnose the problem if it is plastic from the gearbox. I see carbon specs all the time. Some of this depends on oil and fuel type mixed with engine age/time.


    p.s.
    For those that don't know Conrad he is a Rotax instructor in the UK and is very sharp on Rotax issues and correct me if I'm wrong Conrad, owns ConAir in the UK. He's a great resource here on the forum.

    Roger Lee
    LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
    Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
    520-349-7056 Cell


  • Re: Particles in oil filter

    by » 12 years ago


    Hi Tim

    I would remove the gearbox just to be sure as it could also be the plastic cage that separates the ball bearings at both ends of the prop shaft. The main bearing, like the thrust washer is brown, but the roller bearing in the gearbox has a black plastic cage. If the cage fails it will destroy your gearbox in seconds as the bearings will collapse.

    Cheers Mark


    IMG_1377.JPG (You do not have access to download this file.)

  • Re: Particles in oil filter

    by » 12 years ago


    I sent my gearbox off to be checked. The black or very dark colored thrust washer was gone. That was the particles in my filter. The engine,gearbox and prop all feeel good now. The engine starts much better now, but still kicks back a small amount unless the motor is warm. I can barely feel my other 912 come to life, it is a 2010. The 912 that kicks back when starting is a 2009, but I think it started better when it was new. It now has 400 hours on it and a rebuilt gearbox. I feel like my starting system is the problem.

  • Re: Particles in oil filter

    by » 12 years ago


    Hi Tim,

    The newer engine probably has the soft start ignition verses your older engine. Starting between the to is very different. Here are a few things that may make an engine a little hard to start or have the kick back, but this list is not all inclusive.
    These are common issues:

    Poor gearbox friction torque.
    Poor carb setup with throttle and choke.
    Poor carb sync.
    Old style Starter, they are black in color.
    Too small a wire between battery and starter.
    Weak battery.
    Poor grounding or ground contacts for the engine and electrical connections
    Sprague clutch wear

    Roger Lee
    LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
    Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
    520-349-7056 Cell


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