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05-10-2011, 07:44 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Battleground
Posts: 4,348
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Minor Oil Leaks, Mech. Fuel Pump
I am chasing a few minor oil leaks. +- 400 hours.
I don't know enough about the inter-workings of the mechanical fuel pump to know this but it appears that oil is seaping around the gaskets that are sandwiched around what I assume is the diaphram? There are two gaskets here, an upper and lower. It might be oil migrating from where it bolts to the acc. case, but it sure looks like it is coming directly from the pump itself.
Experiences with this? Do I need to exchange this for a rebuilt pump?
It seems that most of my accessories on this Aerosport Engine have some kind of small leak or another; acc. drive (fixed), governor pad, etc...
Not enough oil to even mark its spot in the hangar but I want them fixed.
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Smart People do Stupid things all the time. I know, I've seen me do'em.
RV6 - Builder/Flying
Bucker Jungmann
Fiat G.46 -(restoration in progress, if I have enough life left in me)
RV1 - Proud Pilot.
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05-10-2011, 08:57 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Lee's Summit, MO
Posts: 99
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Jon, mine too
is leaking exactly where you described. Mine is on a Lycoming IO-390 with about 700 hours on the tach. It took me a long time to find the leak. I called a FAA repair station and was told that this leak is not uncommon and was advised to tighten the screws. This helped, but there is still some oil seepage at the top gasket. I am going to replace to fuel pump.
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05-10-2011, 09:24 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: 8I3
Posts: 3,564
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The fuel pump is vented to the crankcase so there's nothing to stop oil from accumulating on the top plunger diaphragm. Check and make sure the screws around the circumference of the pump are tight.
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Bob Japundza CFI A&PIA
N9187P PA-24-260B Comanche, flying
N678X F1 Rocket, under const.
N244BJ RV-6 "victim of SNF tornado" 1200+ hrs, rebuilding
N8155F C150 flying
N7925P PA-24-250 Comanche, restoring
Not a thing I own is stock.
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05-10-2011, 04:19 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 179
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My engine-driven pump dripped oil from day one until I replaced it at about 100 hours. Not a lot, but really annoying. I tried tightening the screws to no avail. Haven't seen a drop from the fuel pump since the replacement (about 300 hours ago). Before turning it in for core I took the old one apart to see if there was an obvious defect causing the leak, no joy.
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Jim Percy
SoCal
FFI Wingman
RV-7A, XP-O-360
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05-10-2011, 08:31 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 571
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Exactly....
I have a O-360 A1A with exactly the same problem. I did tighten the screws a couple of times and the leak seems to have stopped although the pump itself around the gaskets is oily. It never leaked enough to make a mess or show on the dipstick but I could see a drop accumulating on the lower screw heads after a couple of hours flying.
Flying 42 hours now and I am going to leave it alone unless it actually begins to drip.
Bill S
7a flying
Got the Grin :-)
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03-02-2012, 07:12 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,747
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I may have the same problem but I think in my case it is leaking from the gasket where the fuel pump mates to the engine case. A quick look over tells me it will be a tough job removing the pump while the engine is still mounted. Can this be done?
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My ATC opinion is NOT an official FAA recognized opinion, so any advice you get from me is ONLY my opinion.
Track my RV7A!!
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Building an -8! (Fuse)
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03-02-2012, 07:37 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 1,628
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tkatc
I may have the same problem but I think in my case it is leaking from the gasket where the fuel pump mates to the engine case. A quick look over tells me it will be a tough job removing the pump while the engine is still mounted. Can this be done?
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Yes, it can be done but it is not easy. I helped change one last week. You may need to remove some oil lines and other obstructions to access the pump. It helps if you glue the gasket onto the new pump with some permatex gasket cement so it will stay in place while you try to get the bolt threads to engage. Rotate the propeller until the plunger is fully retracted to make it easier to position the pump lever as you line up the bolts. Be patient. It can be done!
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Ron Schreck
IAC National Judge
RV-8, "Miss Izzy", 2250 Hours - Sold
VAF 2021 Donor
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03-03-2012, 06:27 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Maple Grove, MN
Posts: 2,334
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Enjoy...
Removing the old and putting in the new is not too much of a problem. However!!! You don't get to simply place the pump in position (minding the plunger and lever), and then put the bolts in. The main problem is that you cannot start the bolts into their threaded holes while the pump is its final position. There needs to be a gap between the pump and the engine when the bolts are started into the threads on the engine. This of course means the plunger drops... For more entertainment, see this thread. Good safety comments in that thread also.
Mine would have to be dropping a lot of oil for me to bother with it.
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Alex Peterson
RV6A N66AP 1700+ hours
KADC, Wadena, MN
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03-03-2012, 07:31 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,747
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Ugh. Sounds like a new roll of shop towels will do the trick for me!
In all seriousness, it isn't a bad leak but it is very annoying. It doesn't take a lot of oil to make a YELLOW airplane look bad. I will keep an eye on it and make a decision from there. I'm not CERTAIN that is where the leak is but I really do suspect it.
__________________
My ATC opinion is NOT an official FAA recognized opinion, so any advice you get from me is ONLY my opinion.
Track my RV7A!!
Bought my flying -7A
Building an -8! (Fuse)
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03-03-2012, 09:30 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ
Posts: 2,393
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pump
Changeing the fuel pump was covered in great detail in a previous thread. Mahlon had some very good tips on this. A ball end allen wrench and/or a custom allen wrench is the most important thing.
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