AW Yak 50cc Split fueltank
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bullhead City,
AZ
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AW Yak 50cc Split fueltank
Well, I didn't think it would happen to me since the 24oz fuel tank looked pretty heavy duty to me but after seven flights on my Yak, it cracked at the edge of fuel stopper. Got fuel all over batteries and inside the plane. Also, the foam tailwheel has grinded away on our paved runway. Any suggestions as to what fuel tank or tail/main wheels I should buy? I'm thinking about putting together a clear bottle tank. Maybe someone can point me in the right direction.
#4
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Haltom City,
TX
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AW Yak 50cc Split fueltank
ORIGINAL: tail strike
I don't know, you must really ronch down on the screw, I have never had one do that ?
I don't know, you must really ronch down on the screw, I have never had one do that ?
Edit: 12/15/10 - as of now I have had tank failure in two different AW planes. I have also replaced all the AW tanks with Dubro. Hope they hold... doing good as of now.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Portland,
OR
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AW Yak 50cc Split fueltank
Mine split on the seam after 20 flights. DuBro tank is now installed. AW hardware is all good except the tanks.
I really like their tail gear, so just replace the wheel.
I really like their tail gear, so just replace the wheel.
#6
Senior Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: mcallen, TX
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AW Yak 50cc Split fueltank
it happens to me in 3 different tanks, exactly like yoursi just replaced with dubro tanks and no problems anymore. About the tailwheel, i just replace the entire assy with a graptech.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bullhead City,
AZ
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: AW Yak 50cc Split fueltank
Thank you guys for suggestions and thoughts. I replaced the 24oz stock AW tank with their stock 16oz smoke tank and this time I did not screwed the stopper tightly, just enough not to leak fuel thru it. I put the tank inside a plastic bag so in case it splits again fuel won't dump inside the plane. I made five flights and the tank is fine so far. I'm getting about 10min flights with 1/4 tank remaining so I think I'll keep the tank for now and if it goes bad I'll replace it with dubro tank.
I replaced the foam tail wheel with a rubber tail wheel for now. In the future, I'll buy some kind of light carbon tail wheel setup. I just wanted to fly on the weekend and so I patched up the plane.
I know this is probably old news for some but for novices to gas engines, the DLE 55cc manual suggests the pilot primes the engine with ignition off. I don't recommend that because it leads to over priming and flooding the carb. Had to take the spark plug off and vent the gas. I suggest the pilot turns on ignition, closes choke, set engine to idle, flips the engine until firing is heard, turn off choke and flip the engine again. It should then start on first or second flip. No more flooding as when the ignition is on, the engine lets you know when enough of the gas is getting in the carb for starting.
Have 12 flights on the Yak and it's great. Three point landings with full up elevator upon touchdown makes the best landings. Also, a higher idle might be required when landing to keep air over surfaces and get the plane in proper three point landing config. with right airspeed. Having the engine idle at its slowest does not result in good landings, steady higher idle is best. So coming from .40 size plane this was something new to me. Anyone else experienced this?
I replaced the foam tail wheel with a rubber tail wheel for now. In the future, I'll buy some kind of light carbon tail wheel setup. I just wanted to fly on the weekend and so I patched up the plane.
I know this is probably old news for some but for novices to gas engines, the DLE 55cc manual suggests the pilot primes the engine with ignition off. I don't recommend that because it leads to over priming and flooding the carb. Had to take the spark plug off and vent the gas. I suggest the pilot turns on ignition, closes choke, set engine to idle, flips the engine until firing is heard, turn off choke and flip the engine again. It should then start on first or second flip. No more flooding as when the ignition is on, the engine lets you know when enough of the gas is getting in the carb for starting.
Have 12 flights on the Yak and it's great. Three point landings with full up elevator upon touchdown makes the best landings. Also, a higher idle might be required when landing to keep air over surfaces and get the plane in proper three point landing config. with right airspeed. Having the engine idle at its slowest does not result in good landings, steady higher idle is best. So coming from .40 size plane this was something new to me. Anyone else experienced this?