Safety Officer Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 FYI, Here is the latest Rotax fuel pump service bulletin. Revision 1 http://www.flyrotax.com/portaldata/5/dokus/d05681.pdf It does not include all pumps. It does not include the older Pierburg or the new aluminum colored Corona pump. It does cover the AC pumps. It is a replacement pump bulletin. There is a video on the Rotax-Owner.com website. http://www.rotax-own...os/424-fuelpump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Here is SB-912-03 which the reference in the above message cites. This SB gives the details and applicability. http://www.flyrotax.com/portaldata/5/dokus/d05679.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastEddieB Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Thanks for that. I'm going to check my pump next time I'm at the hangar. Here's what it looks like: The new style is pretty expensive at over $500. Is the consensus to leave well enough alone until fuel pressure starts to drop, or to change it out prophylactically? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S3flyer Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Is the consensus to leave well enough alone until fuel pressure starts to drop My fuel pump has been working just fine for 5+ years and tend to think I should leave well enough alone. But want to hear from our un-opinionated group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Hi Eddie, The new SB is only a recommendation. The new pump without hoses are only $167. You do not need the expensive pump with hoses. This is going to be one of those personal decisions for sure. Pumps tend to be good for a long time or go bad fairly soon. Most that are working tend to last quite a while. If the old AC pump starts to fail it tends to start weeping slightly out the bottom weep holes. I have never heard of a pump in a total all out failure. Even when it weeps it doesn't affect the pressure. I have replaced a number of them. A weeping pump is easy to see if you wipe your finger under the fuel pump flange. On the CT you will have fuel or oil stains on the cooling plenum just below the pump where it will drip. Rotax wants any affected pumps changed out and if it is at the 5 year mark or older. Technically right along with the hose change. So each person will need to decide to follow Rotax or just move along and watch the pump and as the bulletin states not all pumps are affected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin-Cal Power Sys Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Hey guys, Just to keep everyone in the loop, we're getting prices and availability for the fuel pump installation kit listed in the SB. It is part number 881-360 and includes the fuel pump with o-ring and gasket, fuel line nipples, crush washers, new mount nuts and washers, and 4 ear clamps to reattach the fuel lines and fire sleeve. I'll add to the post when I have prices and availability. Kevin Kane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Roger we in the UK have had a lot of total failures on the ground and in flight there is 6 that i personaly know of this change has been a long time coming shame Rotax wont foot the bill for them Mike I have never heard of a pump in a total all out failure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Is this doable by the pilot, or does it require an A&P or LSRM? I bet I know the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastEddieB Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 You win the bet. If not Experimental, this clearly would require an A & P or LSRM. Since the pump's failure is rarely sudden and would not by itself bring the plane down (as long as the boost pump was working), I'll probably let mine continue in service until it becomes an issue - if it ever does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Hi Mike, Can you describe a total failure on those pumps and what happened when they failed. We have never seen a pump totally go out like you flip a light switch. On the CT the engine will still run because of the high wing tanks. I tested this a few years back with actual run test. You may only get 5K rpm, but that's good enough to fly. All we normally see here is the pump starts to leak. Hi Andy, It only takes a few minutes to change out a pump (15-20 min). Eddie is right that it needs an RLSM or A&P to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Since the pump's failure is rarely sudden and would not by itself bring the plane down (as long as the boost pump was working), I'll probably let mine continue in service until it becomes an issue - if it ever does. I hate being right! Unfortunately for the CT folks we don't have a boost pump, just gravity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 These pics are from 2 different pumps one failed in the air the other on the ground ( they was not from CT aircraft ) but they was 912s Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 They all look like one way valve failures. I haven't seen one like this here. When it failed it failed open which still should have allowed fuel through. Just not at any pressure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Hi Mike, Can you describe a total failure on those pumps and what happened when they failed. We have never seen a pump totally go out like you flip a light switch. On the CT the engine will still run because of the high wing tanks. I tested this a few years back with actual run test. You may only get 5K rpm, but that's good enough to fly. All we normally see here is the pump starts to leak. Hi Andy, It only takes a few minutes to change out a pump (15-20 min). Eddie is right that it needs an RLSM or A&P to do it. There you go again Roger, making me look bad. But, you do this all the time whereas I only work on my own plane. It takes me that long to get the cowl on and off. And no, I am not challenging you because I always lose! Last time it cost me dinner for two at the Outback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Oops! That highlight makes the 15-20 minute sentence unreadable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Safety Officer Posted June 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Here is the revision 1 of the new bulletin. http://www.flyrotax.com/portaldata/5/dokus/d05681.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennM Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 One of the great design advantages to high wing overhead tanks is gravity feed of fuel. A total fuel pump failure is less critical in the CT. Except when you have fuel injection... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastEddieB Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Except when you have fuel injection... Nice catch! So, does that make fuel injection "a great design DIS-advantage"?* BTW, my Sky Arrow is a high wing, but the engine is still above the fuselage fuel tank (and the wing, for that matter). One of my fuel pumps better be working or things will get pretty quiet pretty fast! *just kidding, of course! I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 I just ordered pump with hoses from Lockwood. $170 with a $98 refund when you return your old pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 Hi John, Just curious, Why did you replace it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 Roger - 5yr. Rotax desire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin-Cal Power Sys Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 This is the latest information I have about the fuel pump service bulletin. Rotax has a "fuel pump update kit" part number in the service bulletin 881-360 and it includes the pump, gasket, nipples, and clamps to reuse your existing hoses and it sells for $98.00. Unfortunately I'm not sure how long it will be until Rotax can deliver the parts, we have some on order now but again I don't know when to expect them. We do have the 893-114 fuel pump assembly that includes pump, gasket, nipples and pre-assembled suction and pressure hoses. For owners affected by the service bulletin the retail price of that pump is $155. We should be able to get those in a much more reasonable time, we currently have some on order and will order more this week. To order one, call 800-247-9653. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George in San Diego Posted September 25, 2013 Report Share Posted September 25, 2013 Coincidentally last week I was going to fly to do further festiv of my Garmin 496 which seems to have an intermittent problem. Engine runup was normal so I launched. Just as I lifted off, the big red engine light came on. Took a few seconds to read the fine print on the EMS but it said Low Fuel Pressure so I cut the power and landed on remaining runway. Engine ran fine. I did two run ups, pushing past 4,000rpm. Each time fuel pressure dropped to 2.1psi on the gauge and set off the red light but at normal runup rpm of 4,000 it was in the green. I have te AC pump and my Rotax man spotted the stains Roger mentioned from the cent holes. The airplane is 5/1/2 years old and has 208 TT. Guess Rotax is Right On with the timing of the mechanical fuel pump. Only problem is everyone we've called so far is out of stock! Great supply chain there! -George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George in San Diego Posted September 25, 2013 Report Share Posted September 25, 2013 Sorry for a couple of strange words. Typing from an iPhone. Regarding the 496 I meant testing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George in San Diego Posted September 25, 2013 Report Share Posted September 25, 2013 And "cent holes" should be Vent holes" LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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