Main Tank fuel shut off valves

[jim cooper]

Re: Main Tank fuel shut off valves

Fire DOES come to mind! So does landing , like right now! JC

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Main Tank fuel shut off valves

It's rare, but a fire in the engine compartment will ruin your day. If you DO ever get a fire the best place to burn any fuel forward of the firewall is in the combustion chamber. That means shut the fuel off and run the engine till it stops. No fuel, no fire (if you are lucky enough to run out of fuel before the firewall stops being a firewall). If you don't shut off the fuel at the firewall it will take a LOOOOONG time to burn all the fuel. Your firewall will fail. You will die.
Like I said, it's rare, and a lot of people don't worry about it, but I had a friend burn to death in an in flight fire and a correct cut off isn't that hard to put in. The shut off wouldn't have even helped him, but I think I will do it anyway.
Hank

[jdoran]

Re: Main Tank fuel shut off valves

I actually turn the valve off while idling at the end of the day until it quits running. This allows the carb bowl to empty, and the plumbing from the tank to the carb dry.

I only burn autogas nowdays, so I feel like I am somewhat protecting the carb and plumbing by doing so.

[jim cooper]

Re: Main Tank fuel shut off valves

OF COURSE! FIRE!.....jeez I AM getting old!JC

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Main Tank fuel shut off valves

Lots of fuel smell first usually!! then fire

[Gary Snell]

Re: Main Tank fuel shut off valves

Highly recommend taking the valve apart and lubing the plug with EZ- Lube. If will provide a better seal, allow the valve to turn easily, eliminate chance of plug/seat galling and eliminate stress on the bottom of the tank. Here is a link to a source.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/ezturnlube.php

[VictorBravo]

Re: Main Tank fuel shut off valves

Absolutely positively unequivocably inflexibly non-negotiably gotta be able to shut off the fuel at the bottom of the main tank, with 100% reliability and repeatability.

Do not pass go... make 100% sure you have that control over your fuel supply right now and be able to stop it before it goes through the firewall.

Your grand-kids told me to tell you.

[astjp2]

Re: Main Tank fuel shut off valves

If you want a new valve and handle, send me a PM, I have applied for an STC for a teflon ball valve that exceeds the original Imperial valve. You will need to have a field approval to install it since I dont have the STC yet. It is a direct replacement for the original valve. Tim