leaky fuel valve

[FunkyMonkey]

The fuel cut-off valve on the main tank in my taylorcraft has taken to leaking. The leak is from the shaft where it enters the valve housing. Leak rate is approx. one drip every 30 seconds. Having never taken one apart im not sure exactly what ill find. Does anybody know what is most likely causing the leak and what is the best way to fix it? Any advice appreciated.

[Doc]

Re: leaky fuel valve

Howdy: Take it apart (simple mechanism) and look at the packing (probably leather...hardened with fuel and age). I made new leather packings from thick harness reins found at your local western store...sanded them to correct outside diameter and drilled them to shaft diameter...took 10 minutes for 3. There may be another problem on the main fuel tank valve that I had...a cracked flange where the valve fit into the tank. I had a new flange (Aircraft Spruce) welded on after I removed the tank. Doc

[astjp2]

Re: leaky fuel valve

Yes, the leather packing is probably toast, and when you have it apart, lube it with some fuel lube (get a dab from your local A&P) and I also scotch brite the insides to create a fresh wear surfaces (Green). Good luck Tim

[Doc]

Re: leaky fuel valve

Howdy: Tim is right about the scotch bright..I used a fine valve surface lap compound (grit in grease) and finished up with scotch brite. Also, after scrounging for fuel lube, my best purchase was a tube of it from Aircraft Spruce....now everyone else asks to "borrow some"...Doc

[VictorBravo]

Re: leaky fuel valve

It was mentioned to me that the "peanut butter" fuel lube is not longer made. Anyone who has a can of it is sitting on gold I borrowed a tablespoon full from the guy in the next hangar, put the rest in a little bag, and use it very sparingly!

[FunkyMonkey]

Re: leaky fuel valve

thanks for the tips, ill get working on it when i get a chance.

[stormman]

Re: leaky fuel valve

put the rest in a little bag, and use it very sparingly!

SPARINGLY is the word here as it WILL not disolve in gas and it WILL clog fuel lines if used in excess

[hangarb7]

Re: leaky fuel valve

Is there any modern substitute for this material?

I have some silicon grease which is impervious to gasoline, so possibly the thinnest wetting of the leather might work with this material. Comments?

Fuel valve doesn't need it yet, but I bet it will some time in the future. Already had the bottom tank weld repair in '91, so I bet it was rebuilt then.

Thanks,

Jack D
N44057

[astjp2]

Re: leaky fuel valve

You CAN still get it, its called EZ turn and its made the same way, you can get it from Intermountain Aero (801-322-1645) Just ask for parts and they will ship anywhere....Tim

[M Towsley]

Re: leaky fuel valve

Doc,

I'm a city boy without any horse reins laying around. But, I do have a fuel valve that I am preparing to swap out the old one with someday. I don't want to start a stampede of requests, but, do you have any of those leather packing washer laying around you don't need? I don't even know how many I need as there were none when I opened this valve up, so I don't even have a pattern to go by. I am more than happy to pay for your time/trouble. Thanks in advance.