Rotax UL912 -run engine past TBO?

[marakii]

Has anyone flown a rotax 912 past the 2000 tbo and is it wise to extend a bit past.

Thanks

[ahramin]

Yes.

Wise? That very much depends on the engine. What is a bit past? What are you doing to monitor your engine health? What is your plan? What are you basing your plan on?

Calendar age since the last overhaul?
Operating environment?
What do the oil filters looks like?
Boroscope showing anything?
Compression good?
Anything popping up on the oil monitoring?
Engine producing full power?

[Glasnost]

If it were an O-200 with good compression and oil consumption I wouldn’t even think about it.

But one of those snowmobile engines with a coolant system and a gear box and a dog clutch? No way. There’s just too much to go wrong.

[VW King]

Replaced a 912 this past winter and it had over 2000 on the crank case and 1500 on it's gearbox. Owner wanted it replaced because of age and some amount of metal was being found during oil changes.
Provided that you know the engine's history and maintenance has been completed by a competent and knowledgeable Rotax certified technician. The engine could run a few hundred extra hours past TBO. These engines are "on condition" due to the fact that they are uncertified here in Canada. So TBO is only a recommendation from the manufacturer.
Also, if the decision is made to remove the engine in question and send it to Rotech in Vernon B.C., they will sell you a new one. Rotax has had several updates on their engines in the past several years. Crankcase being one of them.