Oil quick drains

[dunc]

I found effort to drain engine oil from the Rotax tank difficult to access the tank drain plug on the AR-1, not to mention its safety-wiring upon replacement. I have installed a Saf-Air oil drain valve in numerous aircraft with zero issues, and found their Model 12175 (12mm x 1.75) listed as usable on Rotax. I ops-checked the bayonet-style valve prior to its installation. However upon the first use of the new valve, it will not go in more that about 1/16 of an inch, thus will not open to drain oil.

Q1. Is there some internal oil tank structure that the valve may hit and preclude it from opening?

Q2. Has anybody else used this valve?

Q3. Suggestions for alternates?

 

[Mayfield]

I found effort to drain engine oil from the Rotax tank difficult to access the tank drain plug on the AR-1, not to mention its safety-wiring upon replacement. I have installed a Saf-Air oil drain valve in numerous aircraft with zero issues, and found their Model 12175 (12mm x 1.75) listed as usable on Rotax. I ops-checked the bayonet-style valve prior to its installation. However upon the first use of the new valve, it will not go in more that about 1/16 of an inch, thus will not open to drain oil.

Q1. Is there some internal oil tank structure that the valve may hit and preclude it from opening?

Q2. Has anybody else used this valve?

Q3. Suggestions for alternates?

Aircraft Spruce says you need an adaptor for late model Rotax oil tanks. They do not define "late model." Apparently Rotax changed the internal tank baffles at some point.

ACS part number 05-14683

Saf-Air part number RM12175

Jim

 

[dunc]

Thank you for the quick reply, Jim!

Another source that gives Rotax training also stated that there is an internal baffle that could interfere with the Saf-Air may be striking. They said also the possibility that the baffle was installed upside down, further limiting the available space to the outside tank wall/drain hole. Or a newer baffle is used with my 915iS?

What ACS web page gave the Rotax requirement for the adapter? I could not find anything like this. I have the adapter on order. For now I will use my Mityvac syringe to drain some extra oil. I drained/purged lines trying to fix a minor oil seepage at the oil thermostat NPT fittings using Permatex 567. Initial results do not look promising. Has anybody tried Hylomar Blue on these fittings?

 

[Mayfield]

I got lucky and happened to see this page. It's not very well presented. When you scroll down to the M12175, the next entry is the adapter.

Saf-Air Oil Drain Sump Valves | Aircraft Spruce

Saf-Air Oil Drain Sump Valves Changing hot engine oil has never been easier! With the SAF-AIR oil drain valve, no wrench is needed to remove the drain plug. A simple push and turn of the SAF-AIR valve locks it in the open position.

www.aircraftspruce.com

 

[Brent Drake]

there is a plate in the oil container. It will require an adapter.
Be sure to remove the oil container and clean the inside of it every 150 hours or so.

 

[dunc]

You definitely got lucky there! I designed over 250 websites for aviation businesses and organizations for over 20 years. Lots of online stores. It is common to add "you might like..." items once purchase item has been selected. It is good marketing practice. I will toss them a suggestion.

I lived in Phoenix and most suburbs until 1990 with many landings at Goodyear and Glendale airports. I assume you are at Goodyear? Are you old enough to remember its boneyard days, or before? One of my oldest cherished memories was meeting my Navy pilot uncle who remained overnight flying in a Douglas A-3D Skywarrior "Whale". He let me sit inside, and flew from the USS Kitty Hawk. Big stuff for a ten year old!

 

[mark treidel]

Rob,
I put one of those on my 914 the day I brought it home. I put a small clear tubing
on the nipple which I use to guide the draining oil into an empty (ice tea) heavy
duty gallon jug. No muss, no fuss, no spill.
It has literally made an oil change effortless (except for the mess filter removal causes).
Learned to stuff plenty of absorbant paper towels under it to catch the residual.
Good luck....

 

[dunc]

Hi Mark!

Still plan to visit you some day. Assuming you also used the Saf-Air M12175, perhaps the newer Rotax oil tanks have the internal baffle interference? It is poorly documented on Aircraft Spruce and Saf-Air websites. Adapter ordered, fingers crossed.

 

[Mayfield]

Hi Mark!

Still plan to visit you some day. Assuming you also used the Saf-Air M12175, perhaps the newer Rotax oil tanks have the internal baffle interference? It is poorly documented on Aircraft Spruce and Saf-Air websites. Adapter ordered, fingers crossed.

Bought the fitting and adaptor. Oops, not enough room between the oil tank and the landing gear. No problem, just slide the oil tank up 3 inches. Oops, hoses not long enough..... 🤔 Where did I put that safety wire?

 

[Sv.grainne]

Rob,
............
It has literally made an oil change effortless (except for the mess filter removal causes).
Learned to stuff plenty of absorbant paper towels under it to catch the residual.
Good luck....

I made a tool for catching the oil that drains out of the filter, I'll take a photo and post later. The tool catches up under the oil filter flange and causes oil to drain away from the engine into a properly placed bucket. Saw this the first time while attending one of Roger Lees maint classes in Tucson.

Bobby

 

[Abid]

I found effort to drain engine oil from the Rotax tank difficult to access the tank drain plug on the AR-1, not to mention its safety-wiring upon replacement. I have installed a Saf-Air oil drain valve in numerous aircraft with zero issues, and found their Model 12175 (12mm x 1.75) listed as usable on Rotax. I ops-checked the bayonet-style valve prior to its installation. However upon the first use of the new valve, it will not go in more that about 1/16 of an inch, thus will not open to drain oil.

Q1. Is there some internal oil tank structure that the valve may hit and preclude it from opening?

Q2. Has anybody else used this valve?

Q3. Suggestions for alternates?

For the leakage you may want to use gasket maker 2

Permatex® Form-A-Gasket® No.2 Sealant, 3 OZ – Permatex

www.permatex.com

Usually available at Autozone etc.
I would do it next time you do oil change.

 

[Mayfield]

What size are the hoses that go into and out of the Rotax oil tank? I would like to use the correct clamps, what are they called and is there a name for the special tool used to attach them?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Sv.grainne]

Here the drain fitting that I use under an oil filter to capture oil during/after filter removal. I set a bucket under the bracket to catch the oil.

 

[PeterFromLA]

I found effort to drain engine oil from the Rotax tank difficult to access the tank drain plug on the AR-1, not to mention its safety-wiring upon replacement. I have installed a Saf-Air oil drain valve in numerous aircraft with zero issues, and found their Model 12175 (12mm x 1.75) listed as usable on Rotax. I ops-checked the bayonet-style valve prior to its installation. However upon the first use of the new valve, it will not go in more that about 1/16 of an inch, thus will not open to drain oil.

Q1. Is there some internal oil tank structure that the valve may hit and preclude it from opening?

Q2. Has anybody else used this valve?

Q3. Suggestions for alternates?

Get in touch with Tisha ([email protected]) from Lockwood, and ask her which quick drain valve is suitable for your engine. I dreaded replacing the oil in my AR-1 until I installed the quick drain valve...

 

[mark treidel]

Bobby, a simple and effective 'tool' .... easy enough to cut one out of an old oil funnel I have. "what do they say about necessity/invention?!!
Thanks for posting...I will make one for my next oil change. Appreciate the input.
Mark

 

[Mayfield]

What size are the hoses that go into and out of the Rotax oil tank? I would like to use the correct clamps, what are they called and is there a name for the special tool used to attach them?

Thanks,

Jim

The reason I ask is I can't tell if it's 12mm or 12.5mm ID. Also, does anyone have a good source for good quality oil hose other than ACS, L.E.A.F., etc?

 

[Abid]

The reason I ask is I can't tell if it's 12mm or 12.5mm ID. Also, does anyone have a good source for good quality oil hose other than ACS, L.E.A.F., etc?

Yours is a 912/914 based and should be 12 mm if it came with metric fittings or 0.5 inch if it came with American fittings.
Either way if it is a rubber hose, you can use Aeroquip pushlok hose. It will last 5 to 7 years easily.

The best place to get it is to call Tisha at 1-800-LA-ROTAX and ask her for Aeroquip 1/2" blue hose for oil lines. They have a good price by the foot. Expect $6 to $7 a foot. You can use it with pushlok or non-pushlok fittings. For clamps you can use regular worm screw clamps or Oetiker single ear clamps.

 

[Sv.grainne]

I added an oil thermostat to my 912ul and used 1/2 hose I got from AC Spruce. Used the screw clamps that came with the engine and added 4 more at the thermostat.

Bobby

 

[Mayfield]

Thanks 👍