George in San Diego Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 I have had my LS for a few months. Previous owner ran 100LL exclusively. I'm using 91UL. Last week I noticed the right fuel cap now turns so tight I can't move it by hand anymore. Took it apart to inspect and all I can make of it is somehow the tolerance has become less where the round male-female parts come together. It's just plain too tight. Since most of you run unleaded gas I wondered if anyone else has had issues with the gas caps becoming virtually inoperative. The left one still works but it's getting tight too. -George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coppercity Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Do you have the flip tab SPRL caps or the older screw in caps? The SPRL caps have a nut on the inside to adjust the tension against the cap when the flip tab is down. You can order oring kit for these from aircraft spruce, maybe that would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George in San Diego Posted March 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 I have the ones with a flip lever. Have to turn the lever 90 degrees to lift out. I took the nut clear off but the binding is between the shaft and it's socket. It's as if one or the other have swelled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George in San Diego Posted March 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Can still turn with pliars but afraid will eventually tighten so much the tab will break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LS Bruce Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Here is a discussion on this topic. http://ctflier.com/index.php?/topic/646-ls-gas-caps/ And yes, the ethonal In the auto gas causes the swell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Welsch Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Modification of the filler caps per FD Approval 081027 (27 Oct 2008) solved this problem on my 2008 LS. PRW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George in San Diego Posted March 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Thanks. I figured something like this would have been discussed before but a few minutes with archives didn't produce anything. I didn't look far enough. The FD letter is rather carefully worded, isn't it. No blame on the fuel. I figure since the airplane is not only approved for E10, and Rotax claims unleaded is preferred fuel, then we shouldn't have much to worry about otherwise. However the sudden change in the caps did catch my attention. They do not leak yet, just can't open or close without a tool. And, the problem is indeed in that part of the cap the letter says to remove. Lastly, can I do this myself as owner-pilot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Welsch Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 It's easy to do. Who would know it was done or who did it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 You can do it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George in San Diego Posted March 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Fixed it today. Decided to use my Dremel tool to take a small amount off the surface of the male end rather than cutting it off. Works fine now. will be interesting to see if it jams again later. Many thanks to all for your replies. -George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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