Rotax 914 Turbo

Update:

I got the aircraft back after a six week, very expensive annual. Rotax stood behind the failed turbo even though it was just out of warranty. Borescope revealed no cylinder damage, Cutting open oil filter showed no metal. Oil analysis revealed nothing unusual. Engine compressions all good. 

Initial verbal report on the turbo failure was "Pilot Error". At various times, I was told I did not fly the aircraft enough (I fly 50-60 hours/year), I did not get the engine hot enough with each flight and thus allowed water to condense in the oil ( Always warmed up to 50C before flight, Always got oil temp >95C) I did not allow it to cool down the recommended two minutes after each fligh (I did so each time), I used the wrong oil (AeroShell 4 Sport). I should use Amsoil instead. 

I was also told that if it had been a moisture/corrosion problem, this would have frozen the turbo between flights and it would have been noticed on run up. 

Doesn't the turbo normall operate at quite high temperatures? Enough to blow off any moisture. 

I'd sure like to hear who on earth recommended the Amsoil over the AeroShell and why.

d

Robert Wubben wrote:

Update:

I got the aircraft back after a six week, very expensive annual. Rotax stood behind the failed turbo even though it was just out of warranty. Borescope revealed no cylinder damage, Cutting open oil filter showed no metal. Oil analysis revealed nothing unusual. Engine compressions all good. 

Initial verbal report on the turbo failure was "Pilot Error". At various times, I was told I did not fly the aircraft enough (I fly 50-60 hours/year), I did not get the engine hot enough with each flight and thus allowed water to condense in the oil ( Always warmed up to 50C before flight, Always got oil temp >95C) I did not allow it to cool down the recommended two minutes after each fligh (I did so each time), I used the wrong oil (AeroShell 4 Sport). I should use Amsoil instead. 

I was also told that if it had been a moisture/corrosion problem, this would have frozen the turbo between flights and it would have been noticed on run up. 

Doesn't the turbo normall operate at quite high temperatures? Enough to blow off any moisture. 

That doesn't build confidence about the 914 turbo. I hope that what you experienced was just a bad service center and not the rule for Rotax.

Did you ever figure out the real origin of the problem or did they keep blaming you?

I'd take a 912ULS over a 914 any day...