Used Rotax912UL should I?

[bushrod]

Looking at a used 912-factory specs below. Person states its got 1000 hrs on it. Issue, its in CA, I'm in GA.

They want 6k. The last engine I found was 2hrs away, and was gone in 48 hours!
SPECs:Engine Type: ROTAX 912 UL
Engine Version: ROTAX 912 UL2
Certification/Approval: Approved according to ASTM F2339
Model Number: 309120010
Warranty Start Date: 01/01/1900
Warranty End Date: 09/16/2016
Rotax Care: No
Configuration:without fuel lines,UL2 I=2,27 without clutch,for fixed pitch propeller,without vacuum pump,without mech. tachom. pick up,without air box,without external generator,without engine truss,with air guide baffle,with std. temperatur sensors,with nipple conn. for oil pump,with expansion tank,starter standard
Sorry for long post. I could note get the WORD doc to upload. Still learning.
What you think??
JJ

[Dave S]

JJ,

I'd have a hard time buying anything as important as a engine if I couldn't personally see it and review records/condition as apparent - but that's just me, we each have to decide for ourselves.

By contrast, I had a friend of mine pick up a 912ULS with 6 hours on it for $10,000 from Wentworth. He needs to do some checking on the gearbox, however, it has the new crankcase with 2000 TBO and a number of other updates. Wentworth normally deals with certified stuff so it wasn't listed on their website.

It matters if a person is dealing with an individual or a company who does this for a business.

These engines don't come up often and there are a lot of things to consider with a used engine. I had the old crankcase fretting issue on my previous ULS at 435 hours and opted for a new engine from rotax to replace it - not cheap, but about the same as a Rotax overhaul of the old engine.

I don't think I can tell another person what I think they should do -only what I have encountered.

[Av8r3400]

I'd pass on that one. I'm sure you could find something closer to you than that.

[atosrider]

I'm quite happy behind the 912UL on my K3-1050 .. but it was rather sick and expensive to have the local rotax pull it up into spec ..

if you are replacing a 912UL I'd say stick with 80hp because there are too many changes to upgrade to 100hp ...

maybe there is a rotax specialist local to the seller that can do an inspection for you, it would be money well spent .. and probably the start of more money well spent ..

cheers

[avidflyer]

I bought a 912 ULS in a sort of estate sale. Guy's daughter was selling his stuff after he passed. Didn't have any history on the engine either. I was able to do a compression test on it, and all cylinders were good. That gave me some confidence. It was a bit less than your asking price but not a whole lot less. Ended up having a Rotax repair center in Merrell Wi (Larry's home base) go through the engine and they inspected everything except split the case. Long story short, I ended up with what I think is a good engine for about 7500. It was a gamble, but I think it has paid off. Now I just have to finish the Kitfox 4 it's in to know for sure. There are more of these engines coming up for sale and they do seem to last pretty good, often well beyond TBO. Checking with Hal is a good idea as well. Just looked at your post again, and it seems from the serial number that it is a pretty early engine. I'm guessing it has the earlier prop flange, 100 MM bolt pattern, and smaller center boss. Harder to find a prop to fit it maybe, although I have two blade and three blade warp drive hubs for the earlier prop flange. JImChuk

[bushrod]

I bought a 912 ULS in a sort of estate sale. Guy's daughter was selling his stuff after he passed. Didn't have any history on the engine either. I was able to do a compression test on it, and all cylinders were good. That gave me some confidence. It was a bit less than your asking price but not a whole lot less. Ended up having a Rotax repair center in Merrell Wi (Larry's home base) go through the engine and they inspected everything except split the case. Long story short, I ended up with what I think is a good engine for about 7500. It was a gamble, but I think it has paid off. Now I just have to finish the Kitfox 4 it's in to know for sure. There are more of these engines coming up for sale and they do seem to last pretty good, often well beyond TBO. Checking with Hal is a good idea as well. Just looked at your post again, and it seems from the serial number that it is a pretty early engine. I'm guessing it has the earlier prop flange, 100 MM bolt pattern, and smaller center boss. Harder to find a prop to fit it maybe, although I have two blade and three blade warp drive hubs for the earlier prop flange. JImChuk

Thank you and all the others for your saged advice. FYI, I did buy it last Friday. Sure its a gamble, it's a gamble I'm going to wake up in the morning The KF4 that I purchased last month was sight unseen, until I picked it up on 6FEB25. My initial impression was good, appeared to not have been bent, and most of the important parts were with the kit. The seller did have a VW engine for it, I was not interested. I wanted to stick with a known engine, which was Rotax.

I like the idea of sending the engine to Hal. I'm in North GA , don't know where Hal is. I'd like to use a Rotax person in GA.

What again is Hal's website& Full name, phone#? The engine is going to be FEDEX'ed grd here or to a Rotax person for a good look at.
Thanks!
JJ

[bushrod]

I bought a 912 ULS in a sort of estate sale. Guy's daughter was selling his stuff after he passed. Didn't have any history on the engine either. I was able to do a compression test on it, and all cylinders were good. That gave me some confidence. It was a bit less than your asking price but not a whole lot less. Ended up having a Rotax repair center in Merrell Wi (Larry's home base) go through the engine and they inspected everything except split the case. Long story short, I ended up with what I think is a good engine for about 7500. It was a gamble, but I think it has paid off. Now I just have to finish the Kitfox 4 it's in to know for sure. There are more of these engines coming up for sale and they do seem to last pretty good, often well beyond TBO. Checking with Hal is a good idea as well. Just looked at your post again, and it seems from the serial number that it is a pretty early engine. I'm guessing it has the earlier prop flange, 100 MM bolt pattern, and smaller center boss. Harder to find a prop to fit it maybe, although I have two blade and three blade warp drive hubs for the earlier prop flange. JImChuk

And the engine serial # 6771403.

Comments, AD's I need to look at?? I'll sign up at Rotax ASAP for notifications.
Thx
JJ

[jrthomas]

Thank you and all the others for your saged advice. FYI, I did buy it last Friday. Sure its a gamble, it's a gamble I'm going to wake up in the morning The KF4 that I purchased last month was sight unseen, until I picked it up on 6FEB25. My initial impression was good, appeared to not have been bent, and most of the important parts were with the kit. The seller did have a VW engine for it, I was not interested. I wanted to stick with a known engine, which was Rotax.

I like the idea of sending the engine to Hal. I'm in North GA , don't know where Hal is. I'd like to use a Rotax person in GA.

What again is Hal's website& Full name, phone#? The engine is going to be FEDEX'ed grd here or to a Rotax person for a good look at.
Thanks!
JJ

Check out South Mississippi Light Aircraft if you're looking for someone closer. Ronnie Smith is a well know Rotax man. Hal's a great guy to but he's in Las Vagas.

[jiott]

South Mississippi Light Aircraft are good people.

[avidflyer]

Here is Hals contact info. Zipper Big Bore | More Horsepower for your Rotax 912 Engine