ROTAX 618

[ZU-CDW - Shark]

Can anyone please give me some advise on the Rotax 618. Is this a reliable engine to be used on a trike and can it be utilised without the exhaust reed valves. Compared to the 582?
Where can I obtain manuals etc

[John Boucher]

Have a chat with Morph.....

[Morph]

I know of two running in Cape Town, albeit in Fixed wing aircraft. They appear to be reliable and they perform better than a 912UL due to their lighter weight.

I don't have an answer on the reed valve story

Here is a lot of information including all of the manuals

http://www.ultralightnews.ca/rotax618

[Henni]

Hi,

I think Rudix also has one installed in his Rans-S12 & he flies ALOT. See where his Rans is headed for shortly & he does these sort of things often.

viewtopic.php?t=6039

Henni

[Rudix]

Can anyone please give me some advise on the Rotax 618. Is this a reliable engine to be used on a trike and can it be utilised without the exhaust reed valves. Compared to the 582?
Where can I obtain manuals etc

Hi Shark,

Yes, it is a great engine, like Morph said performance is better than a 912 due to a better power to weight.

I have one in the Rans, currently on about 450 hours, and did my training in a X-Air with a 618, that one had more than 700 hours if I remember correctly.

They do like to rev, so don't lug them down to much. You can use them without the exhaust valves, there is a override option (I am not using it) or you can remove them, the one in the X-Air had them removed. Without the valves you loose a bit of power but it is still more powerful than a 582.

I hope this helps !

Fly safe,
Rudi

[ZU-CDW - Shark]

Thanks to you all for the replies and info

[Duck Rogers]

It's not advisable to remove the valves. If you're at altitude (Gauteng) just open them fully and fix them in that position.

[Smiley]

One of my friends at Springs has a 618 on his trike, and seems to be flying without a hitch...!

But, I've heard a very prominent pilot say that the 618 was the most unreliable motor Rotax has ever produced..

[Aerosan]

Ill buy one tomorrow if I can find one.................and I mean that.

[Morph]

But, I've heard a very prominent pilot say that the 618 was the most unreliable motor Rotax has ever produced..

it appears that the 618 due to it's better power to weight ratio (thus performance) compared to a 912ul, plus it obviously being far cheaper, was seriously impacting on the sales of the 912. So Rotax pulled it off the market. As a result no further development on the motor. I suspect the rumours were conveniently spread to further kill the sales. (conspiricy theory #5644766761) I have not heard of a single issue with these motors from any of their owners.

The only concern I would have is availability of spares

[John Boucher]

If Rotax brought back the 618 again, the 582 would disappear.... instead of the 300hour TBO it boasts with a 600hour TBO! Correct me if I'm wrong....

[Smiley]

But, I've heard a very prominent pilot say that the 618 was the most unreliable motor Rotax has ever produced..

it appears that the 618 due to it's better power to weight ratio (thus performance) compared to a 912ul, plus it obviously being far cheaper, was seriously impacting on the sales of the 912. So Rotax pulled it off the market. As a result no further development on the motor. I suspect the rumours were conveniently spread to further kill the sales. (conspiricy theory #5644766761) I have not heard of a single issue with these motors from any of their owners.

The only concern I would have is availability of spares