MANDATORY ROTAX Service Bulletin Inspection and/or replacement of expansion tank assy. for ROTAX® 912, 914, 912 i, 915 i and 916 i

[ARGON Producer]

19 December 2024 ROTAX issued MANDATORY ROTAX Service Bulletin Inspection and/or replacement of expansion tank assy. for
ROTAX® 912, 914, 912 i, 915 i and 916 i
Below the engines installed in ARGONS Gyroplanes affected this bulletins:

10001685 - ROTAX 916 iS
10001769 - ROTAX 916 iS
10002588 - ROTAX 916 iS
10002589 - ROTAX 916 iS
10003674 - ROTAX 916 iS
10002921 - ROTAX 915 iS

Reason:
Due to a deviation in the manufacturing process, the individual components of the expansion tank assy. may not be sufficiently welded. Sealing of the assy. may be compromised and coolant leakage and subsequently an overheating of the engine may occur.

Subject:
Inspection and/or replacement of expansion tank assy. for ROTAX® 912, 914, 912 i, 915 i and 916 I (Series) Aircraft Engines.

Compliance:
- Uninstalled engines/spare parts prior to usage but no later than 31 December 2025.
- If coolant leakage is detected at the required pre-flight check, immediate action should be taken.
- At next scheduled maintenance event or at least within the next 25 hours of operation, carry out this inspection and/or replacement must be conducted according to the following instructions in section 3, but at the latest after 1 year (from the date of the initial issue of this Service Bulletin).

 

[Capt'n Gator]

Does this mean Rotax is responsible for providing a new expansion tank at no charge since it was a deviation ( workmanship ) in their manufacturing process? How would a recently new Rotax 912 ULS owner aquire a new expansion tank from Rotax at no charge?

 

[WaspAir]

That sounds like a warranty question. I've never seen their engine warranty - is it generous or stingy?

 

[Abid]

Does this mean Rotax is responsible for providing a new expansion tank at no charge since it was a deviation ( workmanship ) in their manufacturing process? How would a recently new Rotax 912 ULS owner aquire a new expansion tank from Rotax at no charge?

Generally you pay first and get the new tank and then return the old tank with warranty paperwork with your IRMT mechanic and Rotax reimburses. However that takes a few months. They do it to get the older units back. There were times when people would not return older parts and sell them on eBay.

 

[ARGON Producer]

Generally you pay first and get the new tank and then return the old tank with warranty paperwork with your IRMT mechanic and Rotax reimburses. However that takes a few months. They do it to get the older units back. There were times when people would not return older parts and sell them on eBay.

It largely depends on the local ROTAX representative. Ours Rotax Distributor - FASTON - comes to our headquarters and performs all Service Bulletins at their expense.

 

[Abid]

It largely depends on the local ROTAX representative. Ours Rotax Distributor - FASTON - comes to our headquarters and performs all Service Bulletins at their expense.

Yeah that’s never going to happen in the US. It’s a huge country. I usually can take engines to Lockwood and they usually will perform for free and deal with Europe to get paid later. However if the engine goes into an aircraft and it’s already registered to a customer, not much can be done. The customer has to follow Rotax warranty process and initiate it.

 

[Therapy]

Yeah that’s never going to happen in the US. It’s a huge country. I usually can take engines to Lockwood and they usually will perform for free and deal with Europe to get paid later. However if the engine goes into an aircraft and it’s already registered to a customer, not much can be done. The customer has to follow Rotax warranty process and initiate it.

I can vouch for that. The nice reps will help with the paperwork/filing........but they have to sell you the part first. Rotax tells them what they can do. Ever notice the one with the monopoly makes the rules? And the price lists......