Fuel Gauge

[Hank Jarrett]

I am flying three different planes and the one thing they seem to have in common is the fuel gauges. I don't trust ANY of them (all three Cessnas by the way, my 41 T is down for maintenance). All three read LOW at the start so I ALWAYS climb up and VISUALLY check that the tanks are full. I also use very conservative fuel flows so I ALWAYS land with more fuel aboard than I planned for. Nothing as useless as fuel left on the ground....unless of course if you are on fire.

[McRay7ac]

Been flying 2hr 30 trips from uts to aqo and found that main tank float will stick at times straighten wire install new cork been working ok - have had trouble with aux tank draining into the main tank
found vent tank cap with straight vent was problem curve vent forward fix the problem best to fly buy the clock on fuel usage it is good to visual aid also

[Hank Jarrett]

You also need to be sure the float wire is VERY straight. Even a little curve can make it stick and any "fixed" kink will make it stick like mad. I replaced my wire with a piece of stainless steel welding rod. If your rod is mild steel (like the coat hanger wire I saw on one) a little rust will also make it stick. Running a drill bit through the cap hole (I would do it by hand) also seems like a good idea. A slight bend in the tube could also cause problems.

Hank

[3Dreaming]

To much clearance might let the wire cock to much in the tube causing it to stick. I suspect that there is a ratio for the length of the tube compared to the difference between the diameter of the wire and the ID of the tube that is ideal, but I don't know what that is.

[Scott]

The wire i have is probably 063 or so and the i/d of the tube is about 5/32. I was actually thinking there might be too much clearance.

[M Towsley]

I have also found it needs clearance to move. Your wire may be too large of a diameter or the fitting on the cap is too small. It can periodically hang-up even when right, but once you slow down a bit it should drop.

[mike lutz]

The cap guide rod should have quite a bit of clearance I have found in the past or it will stick as you say. Over the years I have made a few for cubs and T-crafts and had to drill out the guide a time or two to get it to follow the fuel consistently. Maybe yours is too close on the tolerance. Should be a little sloppy.

[Scott]

My fuel float sticks.

I think it must be because CF-CLR is so fast!!?

Seriously though, It sticks showing more fuel than is actually there. I do my range calculations based on fuel burn and time but even so I'd like it to work.

Any suggestions?
thanks
S