Fuel Pickup (VA-261) (RV-14A)

[AboveMSL]

Hi Folks,

One of the fuel pickups, VA-261 that came with my RV-14A kit has a tiny chip at the end of the flare. Worried that this would leak, (I'm still building), I ordered a replacement a couple of weeks ago. While installing the new one today, I noticed that it's a straight thread (rather than NPT) as it didn’t get tight until the nut portion was against the rib. Inspection showed that the nut is stamped JIV (?, I believe it says) as opposed to AN, like my originals. Google turned up no results as I'm not sure what I'm searching for, (I found JIC fittings). Does anyone know what this is?

I'm assuming this would leak and plan to ask Van's send me a new one, however, they're on backorder....
Thanks,
Greg

 

[TS Flightlines]

Hi Folks,

One of the fuel pickups, VA-261 that came with my RV-14A kit has a tiny chip at the end of the flare. Worried that this would leak, (I'm still building), I ordered a replacement a couple of weeks ago. While installing the new one today, I noticed that it's a straight thread (rather than NPT) as it didn’t get tight until the nut portion was against the rib. Inspection showed that the nut is stamped JIV (?, I believe it says) as opposed to AN, like my originals. Google turned up no results as I'm not sure what I'm searching for, (I found JIC fittings). Does anyone know what this is?

I'm assuming this would leak and plan to ask Van's send me a new one, however, they're on backorder....
Thanks,
Greg

View attachment 65855

The VA141 tank rib bugs used for the fuel strainer fittings are 3/8 NPT thread. This appears to be a AN832-6D bulkhead fitting with 9/16-18 straight threads, and NOT a converted AN816-6-6D strainer fitting. From your pic, it appears to have a teflon washer at the base of the hex. Unless Vans changed the VA141--which I doubt, you have a different fitting. Change it for a proper one before you fill the tank!

 

[AboveMSL]

The VA141 tank rib bugs used for the fuel strainer fittings are 3/8 NPT thread. This appears to be a AN832-6D bulkhead fitting with 9/16-18 straight threads, and NOT a converted AN816-6-6D strainer fitting. From your pic, it appears to have a teflon washer at the base of the hex. Unless Vans changed the VA141--which I doubt, you have a different fitting. Change it for a proper one before you fill the tank!

Thanks Tom, for the thorough and educational answer, most appreciated. I'll get a correct part.
(I should have probably removed the fitting for a better photo. What appears as the teflon washer, in the photo, is actually a small bit of Loctite sealant that squeezed out.)
Thanks again,
Greg

 

[dmattmul]

Hi Folks,

One of the fuel pickups, VA-261 that came with my RV-14A kit has a tiny chip at the end of the flare. Worried that this would leak, (I'm still building), I ordered a replacement a couple of weeks ago. While installing the new one today, I noticed that it's a straight thread (rather than NPT) as it didn’t get tight until the nut portion was against the rib. Inspection showed that the nut is stamped JIV (?, I believe it says) as opposed to AN, like my originals. Google turned up no results as I'm not sure what I'm searching for, (I found JIC fittings). Does anyone know what this is?

I'm assuming this would leak and plan to ask Van's send me a new one, however, they're on backorder....
Thanks,
Greg

View attachment 65855

Something is amiss. I ordered 2 VA-241's in case when I pulled them to inspect something was wrong about 2 months ago. When I pulled them, they were spotless so just reused them. (I like to have spare parts on hand, so I don't get surprised and then need to wait for a new order to arrive, yes, I'm paranoid). After reading the post began to wonder if mine were straight or tapered. They looked tapered and seemed to hand tighten the correct number of turns and then get tight at the appropriate number of threads remaining. See pic with them fairly tight at that thread depth. Markings on the side I think are just the manufacture and a D type fitting and not indicative of tapered or straight. Normally a straight fitting will have an O-ring and it's slightly shorter or at least the ones I've seen. (ORB) When you remove it can you post a pic?

See pics, what was the date code on the VA-241's?

 

[TS Flightlines]

Something is amiss. I ordered 2 VA-241's in case when I pulled them to inspect something was wrong about 2 months ago. When I pulled them, they were spotless so just reused them. (I like to have spare parts on hand, so I don't get surprised and then need to wait for a new order to arrive, yes, I'm paranoid). After reading the post began to wonder if mine were straight or tapered. They looked tapered and seemed to hand tighten the correct number of turns and then get tight at the appropriate number of threads remaining. See pic with them fairly tight at that thread depth. Markings on the side I think are just the manufacture and a D type fitting and not indicative of tapered or straight. Normally a straight fitting will have an O-ring and it's slightly shorter or at least the ones I've seen. (ORB) When you remove it can you post a pic?

See pics, what was the date code on the VA-241's?

Dwight---those are definitely NPT tapered threads with screens. Modified AN816-6-6Ds. Tom

 

[AboveMSL]

Something is amiss. I ordered 2 VA-241's in case when I pulled them to inspect something was wrong about 2 months ago. When I pulled them, they were spotless so just reused them. (I like to have spare parts on hand, so I don't get surprised and then need to wait for a new order to arrive, yes, I'm paranoid). After reading the post began to wonder if mine were straight or tapered. They looked tapered and seemed to hand tighten the correct number of turns and then get tight at the appropriate number of threads remaining. See pic with them fairly tight at that thread depth. Markings on the side I think are just the manufacture and a D type fitting and not indicative of tapered or straight. Normally a straight fitting will have an O-ring and it's slightly shorter or at least the ones I've seen. (ORB) When you remove it can you post a pic?

See pics, what was the date code on the VA-241's?

Here is a picture of my correct, tapered one, that came with the kit, next to the straight one, which was shipped from the Van's store a few weeks ago (mid June). The tapered part is on the left. Also an image of the small chip on the original part that I was concerned with. (There was no date on the bag of the straight/incorrect part that was shipped in June.)

 

[dmattmul]

Here is a picture of my correct, tapered one, that came with the kit, next to the straight one, which was shipped from the Van's store a few weeks ago (mid June). The tapered part is on the left. Also an image of the small chip on the original part that I was concerned with. (There was no date on the bag of the straight/incorrect part that was shipped in June.)


View attachment 66192View attachment 66193

Does appear Vans sent you a straight fitting where a AN816-6-6D is needed. Couple options, I've used a Del fitting seal to "fix" an issue like this after buying a tool that hones the surface but that was on a very expensive insulated oil line that I was trying to save. Another option since that is just Proseal holding the screen in place is to cut it loose and Proseal into a AN816-6-6D. You can also use Hysol 9460 or 9462 which is a very tough aerospace epoxy. (Stays where you put it and very thixotropic and lasts years if kept refrigerated) The third option is if you need it soon PM me and I can loan you one of mine to be returned when you get the correct one from Vans.

 

[AboveMSL]

Does appear Vans sent you a straight fitting where a AN816-6-6D is needed. Couple options, I've used a Del fitting seal to "fix" an issue like this after buying a tool that hones the surface but that was on a very expensive insulated oil line that I was trying to save. Another option since that is just Proseal holding the screen in place is to cut it loose and Proseal into a AN816-6-6D. You can also use Hysol 9460 or 9462 which is a very tough aerospace epoxy. (Stays where you put it and very thixotropic and lasts years if kept refrigerated) The third option is if you need it soon PM me and I can loan you one of mine to be returned when you get the correct one from Vans.

Dwight, thanks for the feedback and offering a loaner, I appreciate it. I'm in no rush though. My engine isn't mounted yet, so there's plenty of work to keep me busy before mounting my wings, leaving plenty of time to get a replacement. I emailed Van's last week, just before the holiday, but haven't heard back yet. In the meantime, I think I will order an AN816-6-6D from Spruce and make an attempt at making the strainer myself, provided I can get the screen off the old one without damaging it.

Thanks again and happy building, Greg