Fuel Float Sticking

[Wesael]

The fuel float evidently is sticking on the right tank on the RV-10.

When I use fuel from this tank the level does not come down on the guage till I land or hit turbulence to jar it loose. Happens with every time I fill it up.

Has anyone had this happen before? These are quickbuild tanks with the factory sending units.

Joel

 

[drill_and_buck]

Weasel,

I have the same situation with one of my RV-8 tanks. A sticky float arm is a PIA. There are some good threads in the archives that discuss this.

When you install the float arm to the sending unit the plans call for a 90 degree bend at the attach point. The leg on that bend could be a tad long and introducing just enough friction to keep the float from moving the arm.

Enter a period of watchful waiting and if the problem persists, order a new unit from Vans, along with the requisite amount of proseal and remove and replace. FYI - on the -8 there is a part number for the right hand sender unit and a different one for the left. Most likely the same for the -10.

Even when the floats are working, they are not all that useful. I rely mostly on the fuel flow rate and the wooden dowel I use to stick the tanks.

Mike

 

[blahphish]

Even when the floats are working, they are not all that useful. I rely mostly on the fuel flow rate and the wooden dowel I use to stick the tanks.

There was an interesting article in Sport Aviation this month about a scenario where inoperative fuel gauges was one key component in the chain that caused a fatality of a veteran pilot. The article suggested that if the fuel tanks were not properly calibrated and/or you had a loss of fuel in flight this could lead to a serious problem. Just food for thought