Bill3558 Posted July 18, 2020 Report Share Posted July 18, 2020 Usually when I push in the gascolater I get a strong flow that fills the sample tube quickly. This morning after fueling the plane I’m getting just a dribble with it pushed all the way in. Fuel is clean. Went flying and no issues, fuel pressure steady and good. Any idea what would cause that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrassStripFlyBoy Posted July 18, 2020 Report Share Posted July 18, 2020 Ensure the fuel shut off valve is "ON", that is most likely what caused the situation. Sometimes I "sump" to get some gas on a paper towel for a clean up job, and have to turn on the fuel valve or flow is restricted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastEddieB Posted July 18, 2020 Report Share Posted July 18, 2020 If you have a standard gascolator, it’s pretty straightforward to pull the bowl and check for “crud” in the bottom that might be blocking the drain. Not that unusual, and should be checked and cleaned at annual regardless. Technically, it may require an LSR-M or A&P to perform, depending on your Maintenance Manual. Regardless, a change like you described really does need to be tracked down - it could be something more serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted July 18, 2020 Report Share Posted July 18, 2020 Pull the gascolator bowl off and check it. It only takes a few minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill3558 Posted July 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2020 Thank you GSFB, that’s all it was. I had the gas off. Duh. Thanks gents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug G. Posted September 20, 2020 Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 Been there, done that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted September 20, 2020 Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 I recently had an airplane I drained the fuel from for a wing inspection, and the flow was good. I cleaned the fuel filter and straightened out some hose issues, and when I put it back together the flow was really slow compared to before. It wound up being the seal on the quick drain valve. Like many the drain valve doesn't really screw in far enough, and the seal swelled just enough to restrict the flow some. It dropped it down from the normal 20 GPM to under 10. I spent to much time looking for what I messed up before I found the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 On 9/20/2020 at 5:55 PM, Tom Baker said: I recently had an airplane I drained the fuel from for a wing inspection, and the flow was good. I cleaned the fuel filter and straightened out some hose issues, and when I put it back together the flow was really slow compared to before. It wound up being the seal on the quick drain valve. Like many the drain valve doesn't really screw in far enough, and the seal swelled just enough to restrict the flow some. It dropped it down from the normal 20 GPM to under 10. I spent to much time looking for what I messed up before I found the issue. gpm or gph? No way does mine dump 20 gallons in a minute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 7 hours ago, FlyingMonkey said: gpm or gph? No way does mine dump 20 gallons in a minute. Those crazy fingers. GPH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tip Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 MEH’s petcock wouldn’t let any fuel pass through. He had a spare, so we just replaced it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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