Oil filter for the 912 series engines

by Rudi Dehne in 912 / 914 Technical Questions 12 years ago

I have noticed that aircraft Spruce sells a Challenger oil filter made out of stainless and is reusable. Does anybody have any experience with these filters and would you recommend them?

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Re: Oil filter for the 912 series engines

by Roger Lee » 12 years ago

Roger Lee

125 5.12k 4.53k

Hi Rudi,

Absolutely don't use this filter. It lacks the proper internal workings for your Rotax. You may save $10, but you'll pay big later. The Rotax filter has a check valve and a much higher by pass pressure.

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

Thank you said by: Rudi Dehne

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Re: Oil filter for the 912 series engines

by Rudi Dehne » 12 years ago

Rudi Dehne

1 1 0

Thanks for the response Roger. That is what I was thinking as well but needed some feedback from others.

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Re: Oil filter for the 912 series engines

by Lynn Coltharp » 12 years ago

Lynn Coltharp

2 6 0

Roger,

What is the bypass pressure on the Rotax filter?

What is the bypass pressure on the Challenger filter?

I always hear that the Rotax has a higher pressure than other filters but I have never heard what the pressure is for Rotax OR other filters either.

Thanks --- Lynn

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Re: Oil filter for the 912 series engines

by Roger Lee » 12 years ago

Roger Lee

125 5.12k 4.53k

Hi Lynn,

I ask this very question over 8 years ago. I made calls to everyone in the US, Canada and even to Europe and searched the internet high and low for months. Not a single person knew back then. I found only one person that knew. I wanted to know many years ago why I couldn't use a US brand oil filter? There are a few that work on the 912 engine. Rotax has had a couple of filter changes over the years. So I called the filter Mfg's, bypassed to sale people on the phone and talked to engineers. They will tell you anything, but the sales people, only what they want you to hear. Just a few filter Mfg's make all the filters and just put different names on them so if you cut enough of them open you will see many look exactly alike.

So here it is:
The US filters have a bypass pressure of 13-15 psi
The last Rotax filter was 14-16 psi. (one psi really doesn't make a big difference)
The new Rotax filter I don't have the exact number, but know it is up around 18-20 psi and maybe 1-2 psi higher than that. I had heard 18-22 psi, but nothing real solid to in writing.

So now the new Rotax filter has a check valve inside that others don't. Depending on where you mount your oil tank reservoir you may really need this. The new bypass pressure is considerably higher than the US brands which will make a difference and it has a new improved anti drain back membrane.
As far as the filter medium goes Rotax still has just a basic paper filter that can be found in many regular filters. There are a few standouts and a few low quality filters. Some have a terrible anti drain back valve. Some don't filter small enough particles and some like a Pure One does a great job for particle size filtration. Some import filters have poor quality control and the bypass pressure is a little low. Unless you know what you are getting into I would stay away from many filters and stick with something safe like the Rotax oil filter. You know you can't go wrong there. I know the US brands are $6 and Rotax 3 times that, but it works and has been specifically designed around the 912 engine and all the different mounting versions in aircraft.

Remember most filters won't harm the engine today, but will take its toll after many hours. Just like a cigarette. It won't hurt you today (actually it does you just can't see it), but give it enough time and it does serious damage and everyone in the world has seen what that can do.

Don't use the Challenger or the Champion.

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

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Re: Oil filter for the 912 series engines

by Lynn Coltharp » 12 years ago

Lynn Coltharp

2 6 0

Roger,

Thanks for your quick response. I have been suspect of the Rotax filters ever since I just happened to give one I was about to install a good visual inspection. When I shined a light inside the threads on it I saw a 3/8 inch "needle" of thread sticking off the last thread. That piece of metal was certainly large enough to do damage to the engine. The location of that "needle or whisker" was on the side of the filter that goes directly to the engine not on the side that goes through the filter material.

After that finding I always inspect for any whiskers on the threads of all filters, even on my automobiles with cheap filters. So far that is the only one I have found on any kind of filter.

Looks like the new bypass pressure on the Rotax is high enough to cut down on the incidences of actually exceeding the pressure and going into bypass mode when not really necessary.

Thanks ---- Lynn

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Oil filter for the 912 series engines

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