Two gascolator questions

[mhorowit]

I worked on 88M's gascolator today.
Recall that I had to drain several quarts of water out of the main tank. I don't know if that matters because the cut-off valve was closed.
The gascolator was empty when I took it apart. There was a heavy deposit covering the bottom. It looked like calcium. I got some vinegar and gradually got it off and cleared the input and output hoses, also the drain valve.
Question #1 - anyone ever run into that deposit before?

Second - again recall this gascolator had been dry for probably several years.
When I re-assembled it and let gas flow into it, it leaked from the neophrene gasket at the top; I tightened the globe but it kept leaking. Will it seat over the next week? It seemed to me I tightened the globe considerably; does it take a lot of pressure or is this most likely dried out gaskets? - Mike

[Vasey fan]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Ideally, you should use new gaskets every time you take it apart. When you reuse them, eventually the seals will take a set/compress and you'll run out of travel before it tightens up.

Never seen the calcium stuff.

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Oh yeah. I just cleaned the gascolator on a plane that sat for 20 years. What a mess that was!!

Cleaned up real nice, but now has pits in the bottom of the gascolator.

Richard Boyer
N95791

[Robert Lees]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Mike: replace the hoses too.

Rob

[mhorowit]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Oh yeah. I just cleaned the gascolator on a plane that sat for 20 years.

Richard Boyer
N95791

Any idea what that deposit was? - MIke

[Len Petterson]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Aluminum bowl or Glas?
Aluminum oxide would be white powder, from some water or gas dryng up in it.
Change Hoses in the fuel system to teflon lined hoses.
Clean the carburator most likely the same stuff in it.
Look at the needle. Have the carb rebuilt, or have a gasket kit for it as you take it a part. try it out without taking it apart, I would not count it without cleaning it.
If you have a glas bowl you can brake it if you tighten it to hard!
Good luck Len

[mulwyk]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Mike:
My project sat for 8 years. It had that white deposit stuff all through the fuel system. Get new gascolator gaskets at the tractor dealers parts counter (about a $1 each), get a new filter screen for your gascolator while you're there and new gas cap gaskets.

I also found the white stuff in the finger screen in the tank and shut off valve. I cleaned them with a toothbrush and MEK. I rebuilt my carb...also had a layer of white deposit inside, but I maybe coulda just cleaned it. I don't know what that stuff is, but you're probably looking at taking the entire fuel system apart and cleaning it good.

Bob Gustafson

[N96337]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Don't want to start a big arguement here, but we've had REALLY bad luck with the teflon lined hose... We use either Aeroquip 303 or 601. When you do replace the hoses Mike, make sure they use the proper mandrel to make the hose and not just fittings.. I watched a good friend crash on takeoff from a hose that hadn't been made with the mandrel and had a flap in it.
JH

[NY86]

Re: Two gascolator questions

The white stuff is most likely aluminum oxide.

Don't overtighten the gascolator. You can permanently distort the cover and then it will never stop leaking.

[mhorowit]

Re: Two gascolator questions

The white stuff is most likely aluminum oxide.

Don't overtighten the gascolator. You can permanently distort the cover and then it will never stop leaking.

*$#&, tightened that sucker as tight as I dared.and won't be back until next weekend;

[crispy critter]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Mike,
Don't beat your self up on this one.That problem only happens on an all metal gascolator.The glass will break before you warp anything on yours.

[mhorowit]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Mike,
Don't beat your self up on this one.That problem only happens on an all metal gascolator.The glass will break before you warp anything on yours.

Oh! thanks; - MIke

[NY86]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Mike,
....That problem only happens on an all metal gascolator.The glass will break before you warp anything on yours.

Hmmm, maybe so. Now I'm wondering, how do they make the metal transparent?

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Hmmm, maybe so. Now I'm wondering, how do they make the metal transparent?

The future is now!!

http://www.rense.com/general20/transparentalum.htm

http://physicsweb.org/articles/news/8/8/9

I remember reading an article (but couldn't find it) about a new "transparent aluminum", which was glass with an aluminum oxide shell, that was stronger than bulletproof glass at a fraction of the thickness and subsequently the weight. It also had fantastic insulative properties making a very good window for homes.

I am looking forward to that as I have had to replace two due to lawnmower rock firing contests!

Personally, I would like to see something like this with Plexiglass. I really don't like the idea of sharing my personal space with a turkey buzzard!

Richard Boyer
N95791

[mhorowit]

Re: Two gascolator questions

Mike:
My project sat for 8 years. It had that white deposit stuff all through the fuel system. Get new gascolator gaskets at the tractor dealers parts counter (about a $1 each), get a new filter screen for your gascolator while you're there and new gas cap gaskets.
Bob Gustafson

Well, they weren't $1.00 each, but they sure work fine! Thanks for the suggestion. - Mike