Low oil pressure ?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
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From: London
Low oil pressure ?
Hi all,
I have a 912 Rotax powered Europa, and am starting to get concerned about the oil pressure.
The Rotax manual states the minimum oil pressure is 2 PSI, which is almost exactly what the pressure is. I have checked with another europa owner who also has the 912, and he gets 4 PSI. I have obviously changed the oil a number of times, always ensure the oil is full. At the last 50, I replaced all the oil hoses and cleaned out the oil tank. Still the oil pressure is at 2 Bar.
Anyone any idea what could cause this ?
T.O.
edited: Because I can't spell.
I have a 912 Rotax powered Europa, and am starting to get concerned about the oil pressure.
The Rotax manual states the minimum oil pressure is 2 PSI, which is almost exactly what the pressure is. I have checked with another europa owner who also has the 912, and he gets 4 PSI. I have obviously changed the oil a number of times, always ensure the oil is full. At the last 50, I replaced all the oil hoses and cleaned out the oil tank. Still the oil pressure is at 2 Bar.
Anyone any idea what could cause this ?
T.O.
edited: Because I can't spell.
Last edited by Tango Oscar; 3rd April 2006 at 08:44.
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Surrey, UK.
Originally Posted by Tango Oscar
The Rotax manual states the minimum oil pressure is 2 PSI, which is almost exactly what the pressure is. I have checked with another europa owner who also has the 912, and he gets 4 PSI. I have obviously changed the oil a number of times, always ensure the oil is full. At the last 50, I replaced all the oil hoses and cleaned out the oil tank. Still the oil pressure is at 2 Bar.
2-4 PSI sounds very low
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 86
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From: London
Snips,
I havn't checked the sender or guage, which perhaps should be the next step. The guage does swing up and down quite violently when at a certain pressure (normally just after starting). This normally only last a couple of minutes, as the oil warms up.
Rustle.
You are correct. I mean 2 BAR, not 2 PSI.
T.O.
I havn't checked the sender or guage, which perhaps should be the next step. The guage does swing up and down quite violently when at a certain pressure (normally just after starting). This normally only last a couple of minutes, as the oil warms up.
Rustle.
You are correct. I mean 2 BAR, not 2 PSI.
T.O.
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Tango Oscar,
You are right, oil pressure does reduce as the engine warms up - I was just trying to work out whether the gauge is at fault.
I did look at a few Rotax websites, and at least a couple were qouting 1.5 BAR as the minimum operating pressure. Try and get the sender and gauge checked out before potentially reaching for your cheque book.
You are right, oil pressure does reduce as the engine warms up - I was just trying to work out whether the gauge is at fault.
I did look at a few Rotax websites, and at least a couple were qouting 1.5 BAR as the minimum operating pressure. Try and get the sender and gauge checked out before potentially reaching for your cheque book.
Last edited by Paris Dakar; 3rd April 2006 at 15:05.
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: UK
If the gauge and sender are ok check the relief valve spring I have seen several that are worn on one side. Also check that when the oil's warm the oil pressure dosn't go down when the RPM is raised thats a usual indication that the spring's worn.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 86
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From: London
Rod1 - Shell VSX4 is the oil we use. It's what Skydrive recommended
100LL - I think you;re right. I've spoken to a Rotax service agent, and he also thinks it's the pressure relief valve. He's suggested putting a shim in to tighten it !?
Paris Dakar - You're are correct also, the Rotax service agant suggested 1 BAR as a minimum, but other documentation suggests 1.5 BAR. My Rotax manual says 2 BAR though, which is the limit I'll work to.
Thanks all for your help. Really useful info as always
100LL - I think you;re right. I've spoken to a Rotax service agent, and he also thinks it's the pressure relief valve. He's suggested putting a shim in to tighten it !?
Paris Dakar - You're are correct also, the Rotax service agant suggested 1 BAR as a minimum, but other documentation suggests 1.5 BAR. My Rotax manual says 2 BAR though, which is the limit I'll work to.
Thanks all for your help. Really useful info as always
Last edited by Tango Oscar; 5th April 2006 at 07:26.
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Tango Oscar,
I don't want to give you duff info, so if anyone thinks I'm talking bollox please feel free to shout up.
A modification that I used to uprate the performance on my oil pump (car) was to remove the the pressure relief spring and replace it with a 'stiffer' spring. The kit also came supplied with a 'thicker' than normal washer - the end result was a 'high pressure oil pump'.
Perhaps the Rotax dealer is suggesting a similar type 'fix'?
PD
I've spoked to a Rotax service agent, and he also thinks it's the pressure relief valve. He's suggested putting a shim in to tighten it !?
A modification that I used to uprate the performance on my oil pump (car) was to remove the the pressure relief spring and replace it with a 'stiffer' spring. The kit also came supplied with a 'thicker' than normal washer - the end result was a 'high pressure oil pump'.
Perhaps the Rotax dealer is suggesting a similar type 'fix'?
PD
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
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From: London
Yes, it seems a similar idea. The Rotax heavy maintenance manual says there is a shim that should only be fitted if the desired oil pressure is not obtained without it.
Looking at the diagrams, it seems the pressrue relief system is just a ball on top of a spring, with a plug screw. The shim shown looks just like a thick washer, as you suggest, which presumably just acts to compress the spring a little more.
Looks like I may be getting my hands dirty at the weekend
Looking at the diagrams, it seems the pressrue relief system is just a ball on top of a spring, with a plug screw. The shim shown looks just like a thick washer, as you suggest, which presumably just acts to compress the spring a little more.
Looks like I may be getting my hands dirty at the weekend
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 106
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From: UK
Tango Oscar the part No. for the spring is 838122 and the shim is 227055. We used to use Castrol GPS but since it's been removed from the list we now use VSX, Its as good as owt.
All AD's Sb's and most of the manuals can be found Here . PM me if you need any more info
All AD's Sb's and most of the manuals can be found Here . PM me if you need any more info
Last edited by 100LL; 4th April 2006 at 18:35.
