Picture is worth a thousand words......JImChuk
Picture is worth a thousand words......JImChuk
Is that a raw metal surface? it looks as though it could just be a product on the surface. dye penatrant kit is what I would be looking to try at this point. Some of it is inexpensive but I don't know the quality.
Eddie Forward
Flying
SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X
To me, it appears that the inside of the crack has the same coating in it as the exterior surface has on it. If that is correct, it left the factory that way.
Agree with Ramos - that did not develop with use - it's "original equipment Mfg Artifact" from Rotax. That stuff does happen with aluminum castings.
I am beginning to come to the unsubstantiated opinion that one of the differences between the 912 uncertified (ULS & UL) as opposed to the certified (A, etc ) may have to do with where Rotax ditches its less than perfect parts. (another person who recently reported a factory installed intake valve with an inadequate margin also comes to mind)
As to if it is a problem or not, that is impossible to determine from a photo. I think you did right contacting Rotax; and, depending on what you hear from them, your next action may be EFWD's suggestion.
Looks like the location is on the lower part of the cylinder barrel - if that is the case, you would not get an exhaust leak if it was cracked through to the inside of the cylinder - more likely the result would be oil drool since the crankcase would be under some internal pressure from normal ring blowby.
Again - just some ideas, a definitive analysis is impossible from a photo.
Dave S
Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
912ULS Warp Drive
St Paul, MN
From a liability point of view, isn't their response going to be automatic? Something along the lines of bring it to a certified tech before going any further?