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04-10-2016, 12:14 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Olympia WA
Posts: 173
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Draining fuel tank RV-12
I am doing my first condition inspection. I want to remove & inspect the finger screen on my fuel tank. Any tips & tricks for draining fuel out?, and for removing finger screen?. I am envisioning fuel all over me and the hangar floor.
Thanks in advance
Tom O.
__________________
Tom O.
RV-12, bought flying
Hoskins Field, 44T
Olympia WA
the bitterness of poor quality
lingers long after the cheap
price is forgotten.
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04-10-2016, 12:51 PM
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Posts: 159
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Draining fuel tank
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04-10-2016, 01:19 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Windsor, California
Posts: 924
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Also lots of tips in this site if you SEARCH for them. The key is to take time using the electric pump to drain the tank -- run it until you hear it's tone change, then wait a minute or two for the draining fuel to refill the lower forward portion of the tank, then run the pump again. It may take a few iterations of this procedure.
I disconnect the fuel line at the gascolator and connect an aluminum U-pipe that discharges into a suitably bonded/grounded fuel drain can. Be prepared for some slight fuel spillage when you disconnect the fittings under the tank. Be careful when removing the lower fuel tank fittings that you do not over-stress the sealant used to seal the fittings to the tank -- use a double-wrench approach. Also, don't drain your fuel within a hangar. Drain the fuel outside and then move the plane back into the hangar. Too many fuel fumes within a hangar could result in a bad day!
__________________
David Heal - Windsor, CA (near Santa Rosa)
EAA #23982 (circa 1965) - EAA Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor; CFI - A&I
RV-12 E-LSA #120496 (SV w/ AP and ADS-B 2020) - N124DH flying since March 2014 - 940+ hours (as of September 2020)! 
V AF donation through June 2021.
Last edited by DHeal : 04-10-2016 at 01:35 PM.
Reason: Added to the second paragraph.
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04-10-2016, 09:41 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: santa rosa CA
Posts: 90
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Just drained 20 gallons out of my tank the other day. Wish we'd thought of using the electric fuel pump, because it took all day and a night to fully drain every last drop! lol
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04-11-2016, 12:49 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: hazelwood north vic
Posts: 176
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fuel tank
when the fuel pump has pumped as much as it can push the tail of the plane down to the ground and hold it there (I tie a weight to the rear tiedown )
then when you remove the fittings from the bottom of the tank there wont be fuel dripping out when the fittings have been removed place suitable container under the tank and then raise the tail back to normal and the rest of the fuel will drip / run out into the container
this saves getting fuel running down your arm
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04-11-2016, 06:17 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Port Orange, Fl
Posts: 931
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crashley
when the fuel pump has pumped as much as it can push the tail of the plane down to the ground and hold it there (I tie a weight to the rear tiedown )
then when you remove the fittings from the bottom of the tank there wont be fuel dripping out when the fittings have been removed place suitable container under the tank and then raise the tail back to normal and the rest of the fuel will drip / run out into the container
this saves getting fuel running down your arm
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Hadn't heard of doing this before but great idea ...
__________________
Tom
Port Orange, Fl
EAA #51411
RV-12 N121TK ELSA #120845; first flight 06/10/2015; 700 hrs as of 02/2020
RV-12 N918EN ELSA #120995 Eagles Nest Project; first flight 05/18/2019
SPA Panther N26TK; First Flight 03/13/2020
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04-11-2016, 06:59 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Olympia WA
Posts: 173
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Finger screen
Once the flared fitting is removed from the bottom of the tank, is the finger screen threaded into a tapered pipe fitting?.
I thought I read that loosening these fittings can result in breaking the proseal seal and cause a leaky tank, requiring full dis-assembly of the tank. Am I on the right track?.
Thanks
Tom O.
__________________
Tom O.
RV-12, bought flying
Hoskins Field, 44T
Olympia WA
the bitterness of poor quality
lingers long after the cheap
price is forgotten.
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04-11-2016, 07:07 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Omaha, NE (KMLE)
Posts: 2,247
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Yes, the finger screen screws into a pipe flange that's riveted to the bottom of the tank. The flared fitting connects to the finger screen. You should be able to remove it without risking the proseal. It's the return line you have to worry about when you remove the tank. If it doesn't have an anti-rotation bracket then you have to be really careful and use two wrenches when loosening the flared fitting.
__________________
Dale
Omaha, NE
RV-12 # 222 N980KM "Screamin' Canary" (bought flying)
Fisher Celebrity (under construction)
Previous RV-7 project (sold)
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04-11-2016, 09:47 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Olympia WA
Posts: 173
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Thank you Dale.
After looking at the arrangement, it is tight in there. I am thinking a crows foot on a 3/8 drive ratchet to loosen the fittings ?, or can you get an open end wrench in there ?.
Thanks again.
Tom O.
__________________
Tom O.
RV-12, bought flying
Hoskins Field, 44T
Olympia WA
the bitterness of poor quality
lingers long after the cheap
price is forgotten.
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04-11-2016, 10:05 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Omaha, NE (KMLE)
Posts: 2,247
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It is pretty tight, especially if you have huge oversized mitts like mine. But if I can get an open end wrench in there, anyone can. Once you get the flare fitting off, I think you could use a ratcheting box-end wrench. I haven't removed just the finger screen yet, I had to pull the whole tank to rebuild it.
__________________
Dale
Omaha, NE
RV-12 # 222 N980KM "Screamin' Canary" (bought flying)
Fisher Celebrity (under construction)
Previous RV-7 project (sold)
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