Gascolator anomaly. It will not drain?

[William]

My gascolator will not drain. It's as if there is a vacuum preventing it from doing so; when I remove the bowl from the housing it drains freely. Please watch the video and help diagnose. My engine has a vibration as well I've been trying to track down. Not sure if these could be related?

Thanks
Bill

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=S61eeLUyzc8

[YellowJacket RV9]

The boost pump needs to be on or you will barely get a trickle out of it. Despite the tanks being vented I don't believe there is enough head pressure to get much flow out of the small drain without turning on the boost pump.

Chris

[William]

Thanks Chris. That did the trick. 😄

[flyboy1963]

Hi William,
if it's not already on there, add this item to your checklist.
( master - on, fuel pump - on, sump gascolator, FP - off, master - off)

.....trust me, it will save you time in the long run!

[YellowJacket RV9]

Originally Posted by flyboy1963

Hi William,
if it's not already on there, add this item to your checklist.
( master - on, fuel pump - on, sump gascolator, FP - off, master - off)

.....trust me, it will save you time in the long run!

Agreed. Also, it will confirm functioning of your boost pump, as mine failed and I did not initially realize it as it was making noise still. I will confess to not always sumping the gascolator (I may work on a way to do that with cowl on), however I do check for fuel pressure with the boost pump on and before starting the engine.

Chris

[Ron B.]

I found that if you left the boost pump on while checking the gascolator too much pressure splashed fuel out making a mess. If you turn the boost pump on for about three seconds or so and turn it off then check the gascolator you will get a good sample and it just flows out like a normal high wing gravity feed plane.

[ArVeeNiner]

Dang, I always wondered about the trickle I kept getting out of the gascolator when I sumped it but I never asked the question. I'm glad somebody else did!