flop tube

Christopher Murphy · #1 09-28-2010, 04:38 PM

The flop tube has been in the tank for 9 years. Who is making those and is there a contact. I sort of remember they used a teflon tube but I can't remember for sure. If I change the tube out, I don't need the brass weight. Any info about time changing the flop tube?

CM

Russ McCutcheon · #2 09-28-2010, 04:58 PM

Hi CM,

Mine have been in there 28 years with no service, the builder used Teflon. If it’s still working correctly I would keep flying. YMMV. I don’t know if anyone is making these up. As for how long it will take, it will take the better part of a day to change it out and then you need time for the Pro Seal to dry before returning to service.

longranger · #3 09-29-2010, 08:47 AM

http://vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/cata...duct=flop-tube

Christopher Murphy · #4 10-04-2010, 07:45 AM

Thanks for the info... I bought that flop tube and installed it when I built the airplane. I have been finding black rubber residue in the gascolator. I just wanted to make sure its not coming from that tube. I wanted to confirm that it was teflon. ( I think it came from a hose at the self serve fueling station I used recently). I really wanted to contact the maker of the hose to confirm it is teflon.

CM

Russ McCutcheon · #5 10-04-2010, 09:36 AM

I should have mentioned that in the 1000 hours I have flown my -4 since I bought it flying in 2005 it has never had any material in the filter so I have not had any worry about the clunk tubes, I have however replaced both the lines coming from the tank to the selector for seeping or sweating fuel inside the cabin.

Keep a close eye on your filter, if that stuff continues then you or your service station could have a problem, more likely it’s on your end but anything is possible.

Christopher Murphy · #6 10-04-2010, 12:03 PM

I only have metal lines all the way from the tanks to the gascolator. I have new fuel lines down stream of the gascolator. The fuel lines I took off were in good shape after 9 years/ 500hours. I will get to the bottom of it for sure but like I said earlier, just trying to confirm that the flop tube was teflon. I don't want to go into that tank if I don't have to.

Thanks for the info.

Russ McCutcheon · #7 10-04-2010, 06:40 PM

""I don't want to go into that tank if I don't have to""

Don't blame you, it's a P.I.T.A.!