5 year rubber replacement

[jrthomas]

Has anyone found a better/cheaper way to do the 5 year rubber replacement? CPS price is $1300 and change. Seems outrageous!
.

[DesertFox4]

You can check out our other Rotax authorized service sponsor L.E.A.F. out of Wisconsin but likely they will be in the same ballpark price wise as they also are supplying Rotax authorized parts.
There are cheaper alternatives than using all Rotax authorized parts. Hoses can be purchased elsewhere at much less price per foot and perform well. Some parts may only be available from Rotax which are pricey. There have been discussions about substitute items like carb. boots in the past on this site. Lots of posts about alternative hoses for cooling system use and fuel hose alternatives. Motor mounts are available many places. I purchased mine from Kitfox Aircraft.
Good luck with the project.😀

[Av8r3400]

I have a strong opinion that most of the 5-year rubber replacement is not necessary.

I have learned from "inside" people I have spoken to much of this stems from the idea that Rotax has no idea how the engine is mounted in the aircraft and where it is stored, so they recommend a worst case situation for these parts. On an open cowled airplane parked outside in Phoenix or Miami has the same standard applied to it as a closed cowl airplane in a hangar in Wisconsin.



Do you replace all the rubber components on your car every 5 years?

[Victory_Overland]

Strictly a liability and maintenance plan precaution IMO; if they didn't put a timeline that was well within normal failure rates they (OEM, etc.) would be liable.

Automotive plans generally are 10 years even though the vehicle is well outside of warranty at that point because they determine that is a liability to not have it in a long-term service plan.

Generally replaced on condition for all of those items but have a life limit inside of their normal life-limit to ensure liability and the "we told you" rule!

Just my two cents.

My new purchase will get new rubber so I can reset anything that I do not have clear documentation on; it's piece of mind for me and then I can assume all liability from that point on.

[efwd]

Hahaha, My sentiments exactly. Took some study.

[3kdscf]

Does anyone know where I can buy the 5 year rubber replacement kit? I am having a very hard time finding this 5-yr rubber replacement kit and do not want to have to order each item seperately. I have searched the LEAF catalog, Aircraft Spruce website, KitfoxAircraft.com, and Lockwood Aero and I cant find it anywhere. I can find a 5yr kit for the carbs but not the full kit.

I know this rubber replacement probably isnt necessary but the manual says "do it" so I am going to do it.

[jrthomas]

I bought blue silicone coolant and oil hoses from NAPA for less than $300, 5/8" in place of 16mm coolant, 1/2" oil and 1" coolant.

[jiott]

Regarding slip-on firesleeve on Teflon fuel hoses, I agree it is not necessary for fire prevention; but, I prefer to put it on anyway to act as insulation to help prevent vapor lock when sitting on a hot tarmac.

[jrevens]

I replaced every hose on my coolant system with high quality silicone hose and documented that in my posts on this forum. It has been 6 years now, and I believe they will truly be lifetime hoses. Even the one formed hose on the top of the engine was replaced with a straight piece. It worked very well, with no concerning kinking. There can be big differences in construction of silicone hose. Number and type of plies, reinforcement, etc., etc.


IMG_3304.jpg


The good stuff is expensive, but it should be a one-time job and expense. This is one of the suppliers I have used -
http://www.siliconehose.com

FWIW, I strongly recommend that anyone doing this must do their own research to make an informed decision. I believe that probably neither Kitfox, nor Rotax would recommend or approve this.

[3kdscf]

I replaced every hose on my coolant system with high quality silicone hose and documented that in my posts on this forum. It has been 6 years now, and I believe they will truly be lifetime hoses. Even the one formed hose on the top of the engine was replaced with a straight piece. It worked very well, with no concerning kinking. There can be big differences in construction of silicone hose. Number and type of plies, reinforcement, etc., etc.


IMG_3304.jpg


The good stuff is expensive, but it should be a one-time job and expense. This is one of the suppliers I have used -
http://www.siliconehose.com

FWIW, I strongly recommend that anyone doing this must do their own research to make an informed decision. I believe that probably neither Kitfox, nor Rotax would recommend or approve this.

Thanks John! I was a bit concerned that the silicone might be very stiff like the traditional EDPM automotive hoses.

For anyone wandering into this thread, here is where John talks about it in "John's Build"
https://teamkitfox.com/Forums/thread...ll=1#post60118