To Auto-Lube or To Pre-Mix ???

[Aquillaguy]

I have tried to find any forum worldwide talking about Autolube related Engine Failures....Could not find anything whatsoever...?

Seems to be a regional debate in S.A. ...Coastal flyers predominantly pre-mix,inland Autolube...

What's the concensus... ?

Any comments....?

Myself ~ Unleaded Autolubed with CSCS on 582 ~

[DarkHelmet]

Personally I have been schooled on pre-mix - less points of failure...

[Aerosan]

I agree pre mix has less points of failure, you know the oil is in the feul and exactly what the mix is.

my 2 cents
:D

[Morph]

Yep, premixing is part of my ritual, and I never have to worry about running out of oil before I run out of fuel. Less points of failure, and not at all inconvenient. I don't see the need to change

[Cloud Warrior]

Autolube is absolutely the way to go!

Actually I don't have any choice seeing as I bought my trike with autolube as part of the package anyway!

Having now spent a bit more time around trikes and listened to wise old men it would seem that autolube does have its faults e.g. pump does not work 100% of the time e.g. during approach when you have reduced engine revs?

In hindsight I would rather mix my own fuel/oil and then I know it is right!

[skybound®]

So only people against so far!

Some Pros about Autolube-

• Correct mix is delivered at all times. PreMix is set for full power, so at anything less is too rich.
• Shorter Shelf life of mixed fuel
• Less carbon build up
• Can almost refuel anywhere - no need to carry pre-mix or fuel can on long journeys.

[RudiGreyling]

Old Engineering Principle:

All things considered equal, adding 1 extra component in a system inceases the likelyhood of failure exponentially in the system .

My motto: KISS...Keep It Simple Stupid.

[Boet]

What I consider really bloody stupid, is people REMOVING an auto lube system from a Rotax engine. You PAID for the thing meneer, so USE it. It is not troublesome in any way. Will only be so if you pour contaminated oil or the wrong grade oil, or FORGET to pour oil in. Very good system. Go for it. :D :D :D :D :D

[Pepper]

I have to agree with Boet, good system that always gives the corect amount of oil. Only if you don't do your preflight checks anymore should you worry about running out of oil before running out of fuel.

[DarkHelmet]

You get time to boat?

[Boet]

And it provided with a low oil warning switch, for the slapgat preflighters. I notice that us "autolubers" are heavily outnumbered by the "premixers". Surely then a lot of autolube systems must be gathering dust all over the show. If the price is right, I want one! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Slurp]

Boet,
Sorry but you don't know what you're letting yourself in for. I had a seizure at 180 hours due to autolube failure. When I sent my unit into Rotax for analysis, they "lost" it.

There are plenty of stories.

Bottom line, the less there is to go wrong the better. I feel much better with pre-mix cause then I know its right!!!!

[Tailspin]

I think premix is the better way to go, the AUTOLUBE system is just one more thing to go wrong that is working in the back of my mind while flying - heard too many stories

[C205]

My instructor believes in pre-mix for exactly those reasons. Makes sense.

[Tailspin]

Demon

One day when the Mom lets me play with the other boys i will get a 4 Stroke