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View Full Version : Rotax 912 overhaul cost?



Mongo96
11-30-2009, 09:06 PM
I have been looking around at purchasing a kitfox model IV or 5. There is on in particular that I keep looking at with the 80hp 912 but it is near TBO. I am curious how much should I expect to spend when the time comes to rebuild/overhaul a rotax 912 80hp or 100hp?

Just trying to figure out what the difference in cost should be between one with a low time engine or one that i can expect to rebuild in the near future. Is it worth it to spend X amount of dollars more for one that is low time or spend X-Y dollars for one with a tired engine.


Greg Merdes

DesertFox4
11-30-2009, 10:30 PM
Greg, a friend just rebuilt his 912 80hp. It had a prop strike and I know they decided to replace the crank along with the rebuild(it did not have a slipper clutch obviously). I believe it was $10,000.00 with the crank. I'll talk to him soon to confirm the actual cost and what was included. Not sure what a crank costs but it has to be $4,000 or so. I know he was at a dollar point that he was really considering upgrading to a 912S 100 hp. In the end he loved the way the 80 hp ran and how frugal it is on fuel consumption so decided to stay with the 80 hp. on his Model 4 Speedster.

Mongo96
12-01-2009, 07:10 PM
WOW! $10K for a rebuild. That is much more than i expected. Thanks for the info. That certainly changes my strategy in selecting a kitfox to purchase.

DesertFox4
12-01-2009, 08:11 PM
mongo, you might ask our members who have rebuilt or are Rotax schooled if a new crankshaft is needed on every overhaul before making your final decision. My guess is a new crank is not always called for. The one I mentioned had a prop strike and knocked the crank slightly out of spec. Otherwise I have little experience in overhauls on 912 engines. They last too long so I haven't accumulated that knowledge...... yet.:)

Mongo96
12-01-2009, 08:29 PM
Fair enough, I will reserve judgment until i hear from a few more people who may have had the pleasure of rebuilding a rotax 912. $10k seems awfully high, i would imagine it is normally much lower, however i would rather plan for rain and hope for sunshine. It seems my life, at least in matters such as this, has been a veritable case study for murphy's law.

Av8r3400
12-01-2009, 08:32 PM
All things are relative, Greg.

I'd bet you wouldn't get much more than one cylinder for your C180 for $10k. Your O470 (520?) Continental would probably take at least the better part of $50k to zero-time.

Mongo96
12-01-2009, 10:03 PM
Yes maintenance and upkeep on a C-180 far exceeds that of the kitfox. To be honest though, im really looking forward to having an airplane like the kitfox that is TONS of fun to fly and as an added bonus is more economical

catz631
12-02-2009, 06:38 AM
Greg,
During my Lockwood Rotax engine course two years ago one of the guys asked the instructor how much to overhaul the 912 and $10000 was also the figure that came out of his mouth.

Peteohms
12-02-2009, 07:03 AM
The figure Lockwood quoted at Oshkosh this year was $12,000.