fuel drain valve

[BrendAn]

my fuel drain valve drips after i do a fuel check.  do i have to replace it or just change an o ring. i have never looked at one before but in pictures it looks like there is an o ring on the end of it.

 

 

 

[spacesailor]

Try an " auto electrician " who does fuel injection.  He will have the right size " Oring " .

I purchased a new valve but received the wrong type & couldn't get a replacement! .

spacesailor

[onetrack]

Aircraft Spruce says they should be replaced, not repaired.

 

Curtis Pipe Thread Drain Valve - CCA-1650 | Aircraft Spruce Australia

WWW.AIRCRAFTSPRUCE.COM.AU

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Curtis Pipe Thread Drain Valve - CCA-1650 Quick opening brass drain valve for aircraft oil or fuel systems. A slight twist opens valve.

 

[Thruster88]

You can replace the oring. Need to obtain correct one from an aircraft maintenance organisation. If you choose to replace the valve then you need the correct thread, there are several similar looking threads in use. Take your valve to the your value to the maintenance shop and they will advise.

[Blueadventures]

I reckon best to replace the valve with a new one.  I carry two small size O rings as temporary repair in my spares kit but the seal is a square o ring shape.  You can buy them ex USA, but best just get a new whole item.

[skippydiesel]

Just curious, what might the cost (in AU) be of:

• The correct "O" ring ?
• Replacing the whole unit ?

😈

[spacesailor]

I could say ! .

Curtis sent me the wrong one , so no good , & expensive  .

The oring free  from my local " fuel injection " shop .

& working good ! .

 The different thread ! , straight  or tapered .

spacesailor

 

[facthunter]

I don't like the idea of having an "O" ring there anyhow.. IF it's not there, It can't fail .Nev

[jetboy]

It may just need to be cleaned, buy 1 new one and work on the leaky one as a spare.

I'm amazed the other brand used for wing tanks are plated steel and that type once rust had started were not fixable. Who'd have thought to use steel as the best material for parts that are sliding together and their one job is to collect water ready for draining.

I changed to the all SS version no more issues but for the other locations I use those brass Curtis and they are the best.

The rubber is important for preventing the metal parts from snapping together and on some designs this is enough to break the retainer off and loose the plunger.

[Thruster88]

2 hours ago, facthunter said:

I don't like the idea of having an "O" ring there anyhow.. IF it's not there, It can't fail .Nev

The O ring is what does the sealing.

 

[Blueadventures]

.

Edited 20 hours ago by Blueadventures

[facthunter]

I don't like THAT design. .  Nev

[BrendAn]

20 minutes ago, facthunter said:

I don't like THAT design. .  Nev

You must have had them in your planes

[Area-51]

Curtis Valve; Viton O'ring; Ebay; Brown or Green spec; order 10, use 1, store the rest in a safe place that you know you will forget and never be able to find them again.

[onetrack]

I second Area-51, the brown and green Viton o-rings are exceptionally durable. I keep them in a PVC ziplock bag in the top sliding drawer of my toolbox - where you always know where they are, because you have to shove them aside, to get the tools out. 😄 

[skippydiesel]

Do all (small aircraft) Curtis Drains use the same "O" ring?😈

[facthunter]

None like that. The ones I recall can't stay open. You had to push them up to get fuel to exit.. Viton is for heat situations,. I wouldn't like relying on an O ring that can break and Leak a lot.  Nev

[onetrack]

2 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

Do all (small aircraft) Curtis Drains use the same "O" ring?😈

Highly unlikely, as the thread sizes vary, so the o-rings would vary accordingly.

[skippydiesel]

13 minutes ago, onetrack said:

Highly unlikely, as the thread sizes vary, so the o-rings would vary accordingly.

Really!- the valve part has nothing to do with the thread size. But being US you are probably/disappointingly correct 😈

[skippydiesel]

IS THIS THE CORRECT PN MS29513-007?/

 

 

I have this style for my wing tanks - you can see the little "O" ring that needs to be replaced from time to time

 

This type on my Gascolator - again "O" ring can be seen & replaced 

😈

[onetrack]

Check the dimensions of your old o-ring.  MS29513-007 is listed as a fuel drain valve seal with the following specs.

 

I've even included the metric dimensions, as you appear to be challenged by imperial/inch dimensions. 😄 

 

O-ring ID: 0.145" (3.683mm) 

Thickness: 0.070" (1.778mm)

Preformed packing

Hydrocarbon fuel resistant

MS29513 Series o-ring

 

(The last numbers after the dash, are the size indicator. i.e., MS29513-008 is the next size up, in that fuel resistant o-ring style)

This a military-grade o-ring, so should be highly satisfactory for your use - even suitable for when you go gunning for someone.  😄 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by onetrack

[skippydiesel]

Thanks Onetrack 

 

Started life in imperial, (the Devils system) took to metric like a duck to water. Hated imperial ever since especially aviaton imperial. Perversely, still do some things in imperial, flying (partly M) tyre pressures & human height - weird!

 

Back to "O" rings - I was hoping thet the valve ring might be a standard. Mine have yet to leak, so would like to put some on the shelf, for when they inevitably do. 

 

Already had the specifications - just don't know if suits my valves.😈

 

Edited 21 minutes ago by skippydiesel

[facthunter]

The fuel is supposed to be drained into something like a bottle. (Clear receptical) where you perform certain checks on it. Draining it onto the ground doesn't cover the Function. You should always check the drain has sealed as it can be a fire hazard as well as fuel loss. You can't rule out lumps of solid stuff being involved either, as well as WATER. Often a suitable length of Alu Pipe is used to open the drain valve and conduct the fuel into the vessel more satisfactorily.  Nev

Edited 1 minute ago by facthunter

[Blueadventures]

18 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

Thanks Onetrack 

 

Started life in imperial, (the Devils system) took to metric like a duck to water. Hated imperial ever since especially aviaton imperial. Perversely, still do some things in imperial, flying (partly M) tyre pressures & human height - weird!

 

Back to "O" rings - I was hoping thet the valve ring might be a standard. Mine have yet to leak, so would like to put some on the shelf, for when they inevitably do. 

 

Already had the specifications - just don't know if suits my valves.😈

 

Buy he size you reckon then some the next size down and some the next size up. plus the metric and imperial thickness.  Try best to suit.  As I  said just temporary get home.  Then fit new item.  loss of fuel is a real buggar.