Microlighters

In the Rotax Maintenance Manual for 503 & 582 there is no mention of replacing the crank.

See pages 10.2 "maintenance schedule"
&
11.32 Inspect crankshaft and replace outer seals".

There is only INSPECTION mentioned.

Now why is there a big issue?

Beats me, this is what I have been saying all along, Ask CAA.

These outjies are missing the plot completely. There is a helluva big difference between "checking" and "replacing". Rotax engine parts as bloody expensive. It does not make sense to replace a crankshaft that is still good for at least another 600 hours. You can surely buy a LOT of petrol and fly a lot with the money????

There is one of the maintenance manuals that does say replace the crank. I have a soft copy of it, but I am not certain of it's currency and hence dont want to post it as it may add to the confusion.

The latest maintenance manual refers to this older manual and hence is open to interpretation, or more likely misinterpretation as to how much of the older manual must be followed in performing the overhaul.

But once again - I beleive we are really getting sidetracked by the crank replacement - try costing the services required even before you reach the 300 hour mark - the cost of the crank hardware is insignificant. If you can afford all these other services - you will unlikely bleat about the cost of the crank.

Quoted from SAMicro Yahoo group as posted by Niren:-

"The Repair Manual for the 582 Edition 1997, which is still valid states that the crank is a 100% replacement part at 300 hours, see the attached page from that manual. If for some reason the attachment does not come through, please send me a message and I’ll forward it to you.

As concerns the 503, the maintenance manual states only that it must be overhauled at 300 hours, there is no further documentation about it, Therefore the replacement of the crankshaft is not necessary, it must however be checked and measured at 300 hours and if found to be within the wear limits, it may be re-installed."

i think that this is just a way to make easy money. the owner of the plane should have the right to choose..

a vacuum test will show u if the crank is still up to speck.

they want to certified the motor then if so,u as the owner can apply for a extension on the motor. go and ask any owner of a tin arie....

why the fuss i don't know,but to my knowledge as a instructor,all the motor can go to a 1000 hour"s.

a motor that flies every day is a motor that can go the distance!!!