Magnetic Oil plug on Rotax 912

[Av8r3400]

I have never had an issue removing magnetic plugs. The original plug in my engine (1997 vintage) came out by warming the engine, using an inverted spray can of "air" (used to clean computer keyboards) to cool the plug in the warm engine and it came right out. This was the "allen key" style plug. I borrowed a good quality allen socket (Mac Tools) that fit well and was careful not to strip it. I have helped remove stripped "allen" head mag plugs with this same method by tapping a "torx" socket (I don't remember the size) into the stripped "allen" head. With heating of the housing and cooling the plug as described they also came out with minimal fuss.

I replaced the "allen" (per mandatory Rotax SB) with the "hex" head plug which, with the correct metric socket and torque, comes right out every oil change without issue.

Yes, the new plug is expensive at $58.10. All things are relative. This is an AIRPLANE engine after all. Compare it to the cost of anything on a Ly-Con-saurus engine. It's near the same cost as a single spark plug for one of those. Thank your attorney next time you see them for the high cost of aviation liability.

[Dorsal]

I also replaced with the hex, not sure how important it is but gives me piece of mind when I remove it each year and say "looks pretty good to me" I do not know of any alternatives but agree with Av8r3400, just buy it and move on.

[Rodney]

Av8r3400

That's a good idea. Next time I change oil, I'll try cooling the plug and see if it will release.

Thanks
Rodney