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  • #1

    Drippy Drain valve

    Both my gascolator and my wing tanks have Curtis drain valves. After I check fuel, I wiggle and jiggle the valve to try to stop the fuel from dripping. If I hold my mouth just right, I can stop the drip. There must be a better way or a better valve. Any suggestions?

    The valves are the typical spring-loaded drain valve with an O-ring providing the seal.

    I don't need a spring-loaded solution. A small quarter-turn ball valve seems like it would work if there is one available. If I end up buying new ones, what size thread is there on the tanks? 1/8" NPT seems about right, but I don't want to guess.

    Tim
    Tim Hicks
    N96872
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Drippy Drain valve

    In my opinion the Curtis drain valves are the best quick drain out there. The seals are not just O-rings though. They take a special seal that is kind of like a pancake with a hole in it. If the seals have been replaced with an O-ring that is likely the cause of the leaking. Tom

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Drippy Drain valve

      They seal OK if they have a good rubber seal. I'd drain the tank, take out the valve, find the right seal like Tom said, and try it again. If you have a quarter turn valve, you will hit your head on it when you walk under the wing.
      Taylorcraft : Making Better Aviators for 75 Years... and Counting

      Bill Berle
      TF#693
      http://www.ezflaphandle.com
      http://www.grantstar.net
      N26451 (1940 BL(C)-65) 1988-90
      N47DN (Auster Autocrat) 1992-93
      N96121 (1946 BC-12D-85) 1998-99
      N29544 (1940 BL(C)-85) 2005-08

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Drippy Drain valve

        I just removed one of my two drippy Curtis drain valves from the wing tanks.

        They are 1/8"NPT and I am getting ready to order two new ones from Wag-Aero for about $13 each.

        The seal is clearly like a little neoprene washer rather than an o-ring.

        Jack D.
        N44057
        BC12D

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Drippy Drain valve

          Good information, all. Is there a source for replacement seals? I checked the Curtis website, the Saf-Air website and an Aircraft Spruce catalog, but didn't find any reference to the seal.

          In the interest of time, I think that I'll do like Jack and just get new valves. But I'd just as soon put some of the replacement seals into inventory so that I can repair as soon as they start dripping again rather than live with it for a while.
          Tim Hicks
          N96872

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Drippy Drain valve

            Maybe think about some type of seal material that is impervious to airplane gas, car gas, corn fuel, diesel fuel, moonshine, whatever. That way whatever you put in the tank will not screw up the seal.
            Taylorcraft : Making Better Aviators for 75 Years... and Counting

            Bill Berle
            TF#693
            http://www.ezflaphandle.com
            http://www.grantstar.net
            N26451 (1940 BL(C)-65) 1988-90
            N47DN (Auster Autocrat) 1992-93
            N96121 (1946 BC-12D-85) 1998-99
            N29544 (1940 BL(C)-85) 2005-08

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Drippy Drain valve

              A few years ago Curtis quit selling seals for their drain valves because us mechanics in the field were not smart enough to change them. However McFarlane aviation has the seals now part number CACCA1269. I just ordered some from Beuco. They come in a 5 pack. Tom

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Drippy Drain valve

                Perfect. Thanks Tom. When I got your message this morning, I ordered a pack from McFarlane also. Thanks again.
                Tim Hicks
                N96872

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Drippy Drain valve

                  Originally posted by 3Dreaming
                  A few years ago Curtis quit selling seals for their drain valves because us mechanics in the field were not smart enough to change them.
                  As I understand it, it had nothing to do with our collective intellegence. What they were finding was that after one or 2 "TBO's" on the valve, it wore out. The rivet that holds the washer and ultimately the seal in place was failing and the valve core along with all the fuel was being ejected from the tank. they stopped selling seals so that the valves would be replaced at reasonable intervals.
                  John
                  New Yoke hub covers
                  www.skyportservices.net

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Drippy Drain valve

                    Originally posted by NY86
                    As I understand it, it had nothing to do with our collective intellegence. What they were finding was that after one or 2 "TBO's" on the valve, it wore out. The rivet that holds the washer and ultimately the seal in place was failing and the valve core along with all the fuel was being ejected from the tank. they stopped selling seals so that the valves would be replaced at reasonable intervals.
                    I was relaying what was told to me by my supplier at the time. I have never seen one with a loose rivet, or heard of one dumping all the fuel. Tom

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Drippy Drain valve

                      Originally posted by TimHicks
                      Good information, all. Is there a source for replacement seals? I checked the Curtis website, the Saf-Air website and an Aircraft Spruce catalog, but didn't find any reference to the seal.

                      In the interest of time, I think that I'll do like Jack and just get new valves. But I'd just as soon put some of the replacement seals into inventory so that I can repair as soon as they start dripping again rather than live with it for a while.

                      FYI- Curtiss valves come clearly marked with instructions from the manufacturer that that are not to be overhauled but rather entirely replaced should they leak.

                      Therefore overhaul is also not FAA approved.

                      Dave.
                      Last edited by Guest; 08-23-2006, 19:42.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Drippy Drain valve

                        Originally posted by drude
                        FYI- Curtiss valves come clearly marked with instructions from the manufacturer that that are not to be overhauled but rather entirely replaced should they leak.

                        Therefore overhaul is also not FAA approved.

                        Dave.
                        At one time Curtis sold seals for these valves to be replaced in the field, and then decided to stop selling seals. Now McFarlane has a replacement seal for the Curtis valve. It is FAA PMA approved part, and comes with installation instructions and ICA's. I guess you will have to decide whether or not the valve is new enough to have a seal that they say can't be replaced, or old enough to have a seal that can be replaced. I think I will keep some seals on hand, and replace the ones that pass inspection according to the instructions provided with the seals. Tom

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Drippy Drain valve

                          Originally posted by 3Dreaming
                          At one time Curtis sold seals for these valves to be replaced in the field, and then decided to stop selling seals. Now McFarlane has a replacement seal for the Curtis valve. It is FAA PMA approved part, and comes with installation instructions and ICA's. I guess you will have to decide whether or not the valve is new enough to have a seal that they say can't be replaced, or old enough to have a seal that can be replaced. I think I will keep some seals on hand, and replace the ones that pass inspection according to the instructions provided with the seals. Tom

                          Thanks Tom,

                          Impressive, even an ICA.

                          It is a little perplexing, I wonder how they got approval though. Since the manufacturer says it should not be overhauled one would think that CFR43.13 would have precluded any repair/overhaul.

                          Obviously they did.

                          Thanks again, Dave.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Drippy Drain valve

                            Originally posted by 3Dreaming
                            At one time Curtis sold seals for these valves to be replaced in the field, and then decided to stop selling seals. Now McFarlane has a replacement seal for the Curtis valve. It is FAA PMA approved part, and comes with installation instructions and ICA's. I guess you will have to decide whether or not the valve is new enough to have a seal that they say can't be replaced, or old enough to have a seal that can be replaced. I think I will keep some seals on hand, and replace the ones that pass inspection according to the instructions provided with the seals. Tom

                            Tom, FYI- it is only approved for Beech aircraft.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Drippy Drain valve

                              Originally posted by drude
                              Tom, FYI- it is only approved for Beech aircraft.
                              At the bottom of the sheet it says approved replacement for Beech (Curtis valve) part number CA1269. Tom

                              Comment

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