|
|
Post by geobuff on Jul 15, 2017 11:37:01 GMT
My Astore was getting vibration and not running well. I had my annual last month, but it did not improve that situation. Took it back to Lockwood and told them to tear the gear box apart just to check it. They really did not want to because they said it looked fine. Told them to do it anyway. WELL, the gear box was TOTALLY gummed up (450 hours), and in fact they had difficulty getting the shafts and gears out it was so bad. They said the gear oil was 'baked' onto all the parts and components would barely move. It did eventually clean up however and they were able to re-shim and get everything into specs.
The Astore is now vibration-free and runs like a top.
The bottom line here is:
1) Follow your suspicions. Don't rely on others to keep you safe. Many the pilot has died because they relied on an A&P to make all the right decisions.
2) Should there be a directive to tear all these gear boxes down after X-hours, just for safety reasons? Don't know, but how much longer would I have gone before "feeze-up". Not much.
I found this situation to be a little unnerving.
Roger
|
|
|
|
Post by Ed Midgley on Jul 15, 2017 12:30:44 GMT
Can I ask what oil you are using and what type of fuel you burn. Also is it a 912 or 914?
Thanks
Ed
|
|
|
|
Post by Glenn on Jul 15, 2017 13:45:07 GMT
Roger,
Good job!! I'm really glad you were insistent with Lockwood to open up the gearbox. Like Ed already asked, we are all interested in what fuel and oil you use but a little more information would really be helpful.
Have you owned it for all 450 hours? If not, we really can't be sure how the previous owner took care of it.
How many hours on 100LL and was either Decalin or TCP used anytime 100LL was burned?
How many hours between oil and filter changes?
And lastly, was the oil tank ever removed from the airplane and completely cleaned?
Did anyone at Lockwood offer their opinion of why your gearbox was in this condition?
I went thru the 9 Series Service Class at Lockwood. During the class, Dean Vogel spent a fair amount of time explaining what burning 100LL will do to the gear box if the maintenance procedures and proper intervals are not strictly adhered to. I burn 100LL exclusively so I add Decalin every fill up, change oil and filter every 25 hours, and clean the oil tank at least every 100 hours. I have my fingers crossed that my gearbox will continue to operate OK all the way to 600 hours when Lockwood will open it up.
Glenn
|
|
|
|
Post by mackattack on Jul 15, 2017 14:48:15 GMT
Most of my flights are fueled on 93E10, but about half my engine hours are on 100LL because those cross-country trips add up ...as a result, I am pretty religious about oil changes in the 30-40 hour range. So far, no plug or fouling issues to my knowledge but the engine hours are still below 150. Still I find this report interesting and would also appreciate more info. Thanks!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Flocker on Jul 15, 2017 14:59:56 GMT
Geo, was there any evidence showing up on your magnetic plug?
|
|
|
|
Post by Glenn on Jul 15, 2017 15:04:58 GMT
If anyone is wondering about burning 100LL?
I've removed and cleaned my oil tank twice and I was surprised at the amount of lead there was in the bottom of the tank after 100 hours.
Glenn
|
|
|
|
Post by Glenn on Jul 15, 2017 15:18:34 GMT
2) Should there be a directive to tear all these gear boxes down after X-hours, just for safety reasons? . Roger The Maintenance Manual calls out 600 hours if burning 100LL the majority of time and 1000 hours otherwise. Yours at 450 hours is a little early to need service so that's why I'm very curious about the history of fuel and what maintenance was performed. Glenn |
|
|
|
Post by cole505 on Jul 18, 2017 4:27:59 GMT
You guys have me curious? Do you send in an oil sample at every oil change ? Just seems a little premature to need the gear box gone through ... But sure glad you did !
Ray ✈️🐾🇺🇸👍🏻😎😊
|
|
|
|
Post by geobuff on Jul 29, 2017 11:32:49 GMT
hHi guys. Been out of town for the past 2 weeks, which included Oshkosh.
I have owned the Astore since new.
I burn MoGas and change oil at 75 hours, which is within specs for Mogas. I use the new Shell sport oil, which is also the recommendation. I do not send in oil samples for analysis.
The 912IS engines gearbox is known to have problems in the 2015-2016 model years. That was again confirmed at Oshkosh seminars on the Rotax engines. Suppose to be solved now.
They just require more frequent maintenance than the normal specs.
The aircraft is maintained my Lockwood and during annuals they remove and clean the oil tank. I change oil in between and do not remove the tank.
I don't think I am doing anything wrong. Probably just not the best gearbox during 912IS production years.
I will now be more careful and have it rebuild more often.
|
|
|
|
Post by Flocker on Jul 31, 2017 13:56:10 GMT
Do you send in an oil sample at every oil change ? I do. Seems like a cheap insurance policy... |
|
|
|
Post by Flocker on Jul 31, 2017 13:58:13 GMT
The 912IS engines gearbox is known to have problems in the 2015-2016 model years. That was again confirmed at Oshkosh seminars on the Rotax engines. What kind of problems? Did Rotax say why? |
|
|
|
Post by Flocker on Jul 31, 2017 13:58:27 GMT
Geo, was there any evidence showing up on your magnetic plug? |
|
