David-aviator
Well Known Member
Late last fall I pulled into the hangar after a flight and was reaching for the log book when I noticed this brown spider on the instrument panel next to the airspeed indicator. He was about as big as a dime and before I could call 911, disappeared behind the panel near the vent outlet. (I do not like spiders)
What to do? I considered fogging the interior but decided not to not knowing what that stuff would do to instruments. I finally decided not to do anything for now and maybe he would leave like he arrived.
I was in the airplane today. The left brake pedal was leaking just a tad of fluid on to the floor and it was time to check it out. Turns out the flex hose was leaking ever so slightly (when under pressure) where it goes into the brass fitting . I happened to have another hose so proceeded to crawl under the IP and get at the fittings and change it out. Not a fun job but got it done while capturing about 5 ounces of brake fluid in a small pan. In the process the brown spider was discovered - dead. Thank goodness, again I do not like spiders.
This may or may not be useful information, but I use a gravity theory to bleed the brakes. I've done it from the top and today I tried it from the bottom and it seems to work ok. A ladder is set up near the airplane and a container of fluid is suspended and connected to the brake system with a plastic tube at the brake housing bleed valve. The container is about 2 feet above the reservoir. When the flow process was started the left brake lines to the passenger brake pedal and to the reservoir were clear. Three hours later, the lines were filled with fluid and reservoir was nearly full.
It is almost a no mess way to service the brake system but it does take a little time. I have not figured out the hydraulic mechanics of the system but do believe when servicing for the first time, it needs to be done from the top to get all the air out.
What to do? I considered fogging the interior but decided not to not knowing what that stuff would do to instruments. I finally decided not to do anything for now and maybe he would leave like he arrived.
I was in the airplane today. The left brake pedal was leaking just a tad of fluid on to the floor and it was time to check it out. Turns out the flex hose was leaking ever so slightly (when under pressure) where it goes into the brass fitting . I happened to have another hose so proceeded to crawl under the IP and get at the fittings and change it out. Not a fun job but got it done while capturing about 5 ounces of brake fluid in a small pan. In the process the brown spider was discovered - dead. Thank goodness, again I do not like spiders.
This may or may not be useful information, but I use a gravity theory to bleed the brakes. I've done it from the top and today I tried it from the bottom and it seems to work ok. A ladder is set up near the airplane and a container of fluid is suspended and connected to the brake system with a plastic tube at the brake housing bleed valve. The container is about 2 feet above the reservoir. When the flow process was started the left brake lines to the passenger brake pedal and to the reservoir were clear. Three hours later, the lines were filled with fluid and reservoir was nearly full.
It is almost a no mess way to service the brake system but it does take a little time. I have not figured out the hydraulic mechanics of the system but do believe when servicing for the first time, it needs to be done from the top to get all the air out.