Starter/Starting Ximango

[Rob Morgan]

Hello all,

Curious to find out if any other Ximango owneres have experienced any starter problems with their ships? I have a problem that has come up over the last couple of months. At first it was intermittant, but now more the norm. When the master switch is on and I hit the starter button, the engine fails to turn over. Battery voltage is at 12.6 volts, and the starter solenoid clicks when I hit the starter button. I've measured over 12 volts at the wire post on the starter when pressing the starter button, and have just today attempted to go direct from another battery to the starter post and the starter fails to turn. Bottom line is that I believe the starter has a dead spot(s).

Has anyone had to change their starter? Any tips if so? Looking at my starter, it looks as though there are two bolts and a strap that hold the starter to the engine (912S). There looks to be sufficient room to remove the starter from the engine without too much difficulty.

I would love to hear back from anyone who has experienced similar problems or who has changed out the starter on their Ximango.

Tnx,

Rob

[John Lawton]

Hey Rob,

If you have a copy of the Rotax 912/914 heavy maintenance manual there is a step by step guide on how to remove and replace the starter. It's pretty straight forward. If you don't have one you can download a copy here: ROTAX Manuals and Warranty Information or here: Aircraft - Home

These sites also have the line maintenance manual, too. Both are handy references (once you get past the Austrian cryptic nomenclature)

Hope it helps!

Regards,

John Lawton
Whitwell, TN (TN89)
Ximango #135

[Alan Mayhew]

Check for the earth connection on top of the engine

[Rob Morgan]

Sorry to have taken so long to get back. I isolated the starter from the rest of the electrical system on the Ximango and made up a test cable with a lug that I attached to the starter. Then with another battery attempted to see if I could get the Ximango starter to move; nothing, zero, nada happened. This pretty much told me the starter was bad. I ended up removing the starter from the Ximango and sent it to Lockwood Aviation to have it refurbished. Kerry, the mechanic from Lockwood called a few days later confirming the starter was "ugly", replaced brushes, a few seals, and cleaned it, before putting it back in the mail to me. I re-installed it, and it works like a champ.

I had heard tales of removing the engine to get to the starter and all sorts of ugliness. Not true, at least not on my Ximango. I had to remove one exhaust pipe, but quite honestly, it was very straightforward, and not too difficult.

Tnx for your response John and Allen.

John, I met Leo and Jennifer over Labor Day weekend at Mountain Valley Airport. They saw they are neighbors/friends of yours. Nice folks. Told them to tell you "hi" from me and to tell you thanks for your response.

Rob

[John Lawton]

Hey Rob,

Glad to hear you got it fixed.

Leo and Jennifer live about 30 minutes (by air) west of me, over near Tullahoma, TN. Been knowing Leo for years. He's the Alisport Silent rep and also the Jonkers (JS-1) rep, as well as an engineer. He's been over to my field with the Silent many times. Great pilot. Leo's demo gliders and customer gliders come through our shop all the time. That JS-1 is one awesome bird! I sure would like to get a ride in one sometime.

Regards,

John Lawton
Whitwell, TN (TN89)
Ximango #135