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Hello,

I have a 912 80 HP with barely 10 hours that developed an oil leak on the crankcase side of the prop shaft. I suspect of the oil seal. Does anyone know if this has to be corrected iimediately? The other problem is that there are no ROTAX authorized workshops in my country so I think I will either have to ship the engine to the US or buy all the stuff needed to replace it here. Any suggestions?
  • Re: Oil leak prop shaft

    by » 12 years ago


    Hi Miguel,

    Sorry to hear about your new engine problem.
    Is it at the prop shaft where it exits the gearbox or the seal around the gearbox where it bolts to the crankcase? If it is the prop shaft where it comes out of the gearbox then the oil seal has gone bad which is pretty rare with low hours and it should get replaced. It isn't hard, but you may not have the right tool and hydraulic press to compress the gear set. The bearing should be replaced if you press the shaft out to get to the oil seal. These two items are not expensive.
    If it is just the gearbox leaking around the case seal, which is a little more common, then that is easier and you only need to pull the gearbox and re-seal between the two metal surfaces.

    Unfortunately you may need to send the gearbox out if it is the oil seal on the shaft and you don't have the proper tools or training.

    MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE YOU READ THE HEAVY MAINT. MANUAL ON THESE AND OR TALK TO SOMEONE WHO HAS DONE IT SO YOU DON'T DAMAGE ANYTHING.

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


  • Re: Oil leak prop shaft

    by » 12 years ago


    Roger,

    Thank you. Unfortunately the leak is not on the propeller end of the prop shaft but on the cranckcase side, so I think I would have to send the whole engine as there is no way to send only the part were the bearing is located.

  • Re: Oil leak prop shaft

    by » 12 years ago


    Hi Miguel,

    Just so I'm sure I understand.
    So the oil is not coming from where the gearbox mates up to the crankcase? If it is where the gearbox mates with the case then that's an easy fix.

    It it coming either from the top or bottom where the crankcase halves join together? If it is coming from where the crankcase halves join then you're right the engine needs to be torn down to re-seal it.

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


  • Re: Oil leak prop shaft

    by » 12 years ago


    Roger,

    The oil is NOT coming from the crankcase-gearbox junction. It appears to be coming from the oil seal in the prop shaft at the opposite end of the prop (see picture) altough it is difficult to say because ot only happens at high RPM and the leak is small. That is why I think I will have to send all the engine.
    IMG_0032.JPG (You do not have access to download this file.)

  • Re: Oil leak prop shaft

    by » 12 years ago


    Miguel,

    The oil seal on the crankcase end of the propeller shaft is actually easier to replace than the propeller end. You will need an extraction tool to pull the bearing and oil seal out. Instructions on removing and replacing this seal and bearing are in the heavy maintenance manual and it can be done with the engine in the aircraft.

    Is it a serious leak or do you have just a little oil residue around the seal? A tiny bit of oil seepage around a seal is not unusual with a new engine and sometimes goes away after a few hours. anything more than that would require a seal change. If the leak is bad enough, it could affect crankcase pressure. In any case, if the leak is more than just a little oil residue around the seal, it will only get worse.

    Bill.

    Thank you said by: Miguel Reyes

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