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Find history & bulletins via serial number?

Category: General Tech Discussion 6 years ago
Have a possibility of buying a low hours 2006 Rotax 912UL. Seller appears to be reputable.

I have from the seller the serial number.

Is there any way of looking up --
a)What history MIGHT be on file for that serial number?
b) What Rotax recommended or required notices apply (so can ask seller if they've been done)?\
c) If this engine is one eligble to upgrade to 2000 hr TBO or not?

I guess it's possible to go through every Rotax service bulletin here one by one and see if that serial number (for example, I think there was a serious one applying to SOME crankshafts) but that would be incredibly tedious.
I'm hoping there's some way to enter a search by serial number and find every Rotax "required" change issued for THAT serial number.

Of if there's no way for me to pull up anything (original owner, date of manufacture, etc) on file with Rotax for that serial number is there anyone I could contact who could and would do it for me on request?

Also: The engine I'm looking at has 2.43:1 reduction. Anyone know if that's normal/stock?


Any tips on evaluating an engine when I can't personally inspect it (it's too far away to travel to it... so it's a bit of buying a pig in a poke) and it's not on an aircraft?

All help appreciated.


Alex

  • Re: Find history & bulletins via serial number?

    by » 6 years ago

    Hi Al,

    The 2.43:1 is normal for a 912ULS and the 912UL is 2.27:1.

    We would need the serial number before you can see what the MFG date was and then you can go back to those dates and forward to see what bulletins apply. If it is a 2006 engine the time period for the 2000 TBO is right around June'ish. So if it was an early 2006 it wouldn't qualify as is, but if it is a later 2006 then a minor part change on the oil pressure regulator parts would make it.

    Any bulletins or work done to that engine should have been entered and kept by the previous owner in the logbook. This is where good documentation is important. No or poor documentation cost you money at re-sale and good documentation can keep the price up. I have seen sellers claim work done with no documentation when in fact it was not. Since your going to spend good money for this engine it may be worth while to have a good Rotax mechanic look at this engine and research the owners claims of compliance.

    You only buy that pig in a poke when you close your eyes or fail to research and hold the owner accountable. If he makes certain claims make him put those in writing.
    Roger Lee
    LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
    Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
    520-574-1080 Home (TRY HOME FIRST)
    520-349-7056 Cell
      
    Report

  • Re: Find history & bulletins via serial number?

    by » 6 years ago

    The 912UL (80hp) has a 2.27;1 gearbox as standard. The 2.43 is optional. http://www.flyrotax.com/enginesImpressum/product-rangeImpressum/carburetedImpressum/912-80hpImpressum/engine-data-performance.aspx

    Any 912UL can be upgraded to 2000Hrs TBO. The cost will depend on the work required. 912UL Engines with a serial number later than 4407860 have the later design crankcase which can be upgraded with about £30 of parts. If it is prior to 4407860 it is going to need a new crankcase which is going to set you back several thousands.

    A service bulletin check can be carried out easily using the Rotax aircraft engine web site. Just go to the tech support section, put in your engine details and documents require then hit search. The results can be exported to an excel spreadsheet.
    If the engine servicing has been carried out correctly the bulletin check will have been carried out every 100hrs/yearly anyway.
      
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  • Re: Find history & bulletins via serial number?

    by » 6 years ago

    Hi Rob,

    Can you look up the MFG dates for these engines for me? I'm guessing at 1996-1998?
    Thanks
    4401310, 4406252, 4406942, 4153219

    Hi Al,
    After getting your email with the serial numbers these engines go back before 2006 and look to be 91UL engines. It looks like you need a lot more disclosure from your seller and what is he asking for these? What paperwork (logbooks) does he have with them? If these are in fact that old and you need to replace the crankcase to move up to the 2000 hr. TBO and it wouldn't be worth your money.
    Roger Lee
    LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
    Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
    520-574-1080 Home (TRY HOME FIRST)
    520-349-7056 Cell
      
    Report

  • Re: Find history & bulletins via serial number?

    by » 6 years ago

    Rotax Factory does not have history of bulletin compliance or any other work performed on the engine - it is mandatory for such information to be entered into the engine log book. (Absolutely required for warranty compliance.)

    As for serial number lookups - you should direct your enquiry via phone or email to the dealer from whom the engine was purchased, or alternatively you may contact the official Rotax distributor for the region the aircraft is currently operated in.

    You can find contact information for the appropriate dealers and distributors at this link.
      
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  • Re: Find history & bulletins via serial number?

    by » 6 years ago

    Thanks Roger.

    The discrepancy between what I earlier said about these four Rotax 912's being 2006 and their actual age in fact being older is not due to misrepresentation by the seller but careless reading on my part. Seller had said they were put in storage in 2006. I _assumed_ with them having only 11 hours that meant they were 2006 engines. Dangers of assuming. Seller, on my asking, said he does not have exact knowledge of the age but believes them to be 2004 engines.

    "Rotax Factory does not have history of bulletin compliance or any other work performed on the engine - it is mandatory for such information to be entered into the engine log book. (Absolutely required for warranty compliance.)"

    Od course logbooks highly desirable. Will check if available, but suspect not in this situation. Worth much less without. But warrenty compliance not really relevant as these would long since be out of warrenty despite the low hours.

    Any buyer, including me, I think would have to consider them to be "as is" and offer appropriate low price for risks/unknowns involved IMO, unless seller offers some sort of guarantee and there's reason to believe seller will stand behind it.

    Al
      
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