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I'm new to the LSA arena, even though I've been a private pilot 40 years. I need some advice on the starter o rings. I've priced them through aircraft parts houses and they scared me. I wondered if anyone has tried (with any success) any substitute o rings. I've found some at a local autoparts store that looks just about exactly like the ones that are on it now. It's the 'just about' part that scares me. I don't want to crack out my starter cover as the previous owner did. I guess if I need to buy the high dollar o rings, so be it. I don't want to spend hundreds because I saved a few bucks. Any replies with advice or personal experience will be greatly appreciated by this 'newbie'.
  • Re: 582 starter o rings

    by » 12 years ago


    Hi Duane - To get equal performance out of non-rotax parts you have to buy a product that is comparable in composition, design and size. You can use aftermarket o-rings if they are correct for the application. The problem is not with the parts rather the parts selection.
    I use aftermarket o-rings but I am able to drive across town to a warehouse that is in the exclusive business of supplying rings and seals to the commercial valve industry. I have never had an issue with the product they have sold me.

    Dennis

  • Re: 582 starter o rings

    by » 12 years ago


    duane,

    Aftermarket O rings will work fine. There are no critical issues like pressure, fluid containment or heat to deal with. The only thing to be careful of is to not overtighten the starter motor mounting bolts. The O rings on them are for vibration isolation purposes. You don't want a hard metal to metal contacts between the starter motor and the flywheel cover. I don't remember exactly what Rotax specs call for but even this is not critical as long as you don't have hard contact between the starter and flywheel cover. Dennis or Roger may know the exact clearances.

    Bill.

  • Re: 582 starter o rings

    by » 12 years ago


    Hi Bill, many thanks for answering my post. Since I'm new to the forum, I tried to be careful not to mention the trade name for the o rings I want to try. I had great difficulty in locating the exact o ring and what I found are O rings for an airconditioning system at my local autoparts store. they are the green ones and I thought they should work since the starter area isn't like trying to seal against oil or fuel pressure. I've talked to a mechanic about the gap between the starter and the housing at .040" to prefent the housing breakage.
    thanks again!

  • Re: 582 starter o rings

    by » 12 years ago


    Is it appropriate for me to ask the name of the supplier you use? I dont want to violate a forum policy, but I'm still trying to find my way around the board. The o rings I found were at my local autoparts store and were the green ones intended for use in an auto air conditioning system. I didn't think there would be a problem in the rotax starter area as there shouldn't be much oil or fuel to cause them to disintegrate. thanks for answering my post!

  • Re: 582 starter o rings

    by » 12 years ago


    Duane,

    I use metric O rings from NAPA. Not all napa stores carry them. I think the ones i use are the buna-n composition which is a standard, all purpose ring for automotive applications. The green ones should work also.

    One great thing about this forum is that you don't need to hesitate to ask about anything. You'll get good responses from many knowledgeable members about aftermarket parts, when you should or shouldn't use them, where to get them, and whether or not they work.

    Bill.

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