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How often do you inspect your fuel lines?

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How often do you inspect your fuel lines?

Old 03-20-2017, 01:56 AM
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Joseph Frost
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Smile How often do you inspect your fuel lines?

Had a bit of rude shock today while servicing one of my power units. After removing the front cover to check the fuel/gas filters and the sharp bends in the lines I discovered all fuel lines falling apart, at the nipple points after brief check. Major disaster avoided just in time, it pays to check it!!!
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Old 03-20-2017, 04:27 AM
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I inspect and replace every two years. I have found that after two years, the tubing gets so stiff the klunk does not work, even with klunk line. Also, the Festo fittings that are removed and reused each time the plane is set up tend not to seal well on line that is older than two years. Same with my gas planes that are just tygon. Three years and I start to see stiff klunk lines.
Old 03-20-2017, 08:17 AM
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I inspect them every time I go to the field. I even found a leaky tank one, that probably saved the model. (didn't fly that day)

As far as replacing them... it just depends what I find.
Old 03-20-2017, 02:11 PM
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It's easy to to check all the exposed fuel lines, I was more inclined about the ones under the engine front cover. 2-3 years will be definitely on my schedule from now on. Happy and safe flying.
Old 03-20-2017, 02:18 PM
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Good find!

Is is that an a-10x?!

I haven't seen one of those for 10 years!
Old 03-21-2017, 12:30 AM
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Yes, it was on A-10X, I was doing some film covering repair and at the same time decided to give it full service as the weather is too wet for flying, it is actually one of mine oldest PST 600R I bought S/H as a spare engine, the next thing I'm going to pull apart my "Touch of Magenta" to see what state they are. Quite a pain in the neck to put it all back especially the "T" piece joiner with very fine needle like extended tube for lubrication intake. I'll better check the tiny "Wren44G" as well, after all these years, that might be another nightmare job with that tiny cover in the front. Better to be safe than sorry. Another one on the list.
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Old 03-21-2017, 12:38 AM
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Joseph Frost
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Len Todd, just curious, are you any relation to Kevin or son Tyson in Aust? Kevin, very old bloke is a legend in jet turbines in this country, most likely the first ever to start playing with them down here but I think his boy is starting to take over!
Old 03-21-2017, 05:34 AM
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If you guys are having that much trouble you're using the wrong materials. You should use only REAL Tygon. The fuel lines that come with most ARF's are yellow vinyl. Additionally a lot of places that sell yellow vinyl call it Tygon, but it's not.

Real Tygon is a cloudy yellow and has F-4040 printed on it. The stuff Dubro sells is real Tygon. Yellow vinyl will last for 2-3 years whereas real Tygon should last at least 5-6 years. Additionally I use Viton tubing inside the fuel tanks. Viton will last indefinitely in a fuel environment. It's what is used inside automotive fuel tanks to last the life of the vehicle.

It's not good practice to use tie-wraps to secure fuel lines. They pinch the tubing providing a potential leak. Use safety wire and wrap it around the tubing twice.

I recently re-plumbed two of my jets that are 8 years old. The Tygon was still flexible and worked fine, but I figured it was about time. Also I do not store my planes with fuel in the tanks.
Old 03-21-2017, 05:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Joseph Frost
Len Todd, just curious, are you any relation to Kevin or son Tyson in Aust? Kevin, very old bloke is a legend in jet turbines in this country, most likely the first ever to start playing with them down here but I think his boy is starting to take over!
Nope.
Old 03-21-2017, 08:23 AM
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This is great info!

I have a jet that I acquired that has a BVM uat in it that uses the "sock" style filter. How often should that be changed out?
Old 03-21-2017, 09:45 AM
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I have come to the conclusion that the Hansen and BVM type UAT filter needs to be changed every two years. Last year, mine was kind of "stiff" and it had two years on it. Now, ... mine sets all winter dry. So maybe that has something to do with it. I don't bother draining the fuel each time after use, though.

They are kind of a PITA to get the sock and wire tie back on there correctly. Seems like they would have groove in support that you slide the sock over. But mine did not.
Old 03-21-2017, 10:01 AM
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The UAT sock is actually an automotive fuel pump pick up filter/sock that is designed to last the life of a vehicle. Unless it is dirty or clogged with algae there is no reason to change it.
Old 03-21-2017, 10:30 AM
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Thank you that is great info
Old 03-23-2017, 09:53 AM
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I have a UAT that is now 9 years old. Along with tygon and BV's recommended in tank tubing. I recently went through it all and it is all in fantastic shape.

If you look on BV's sight, the UAT maintainence is just tightening down the middle cap.

Also, algae killer is what I put in all my kerosene the day I buy it.
Old 03-23-2017, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by ravill
Also, algae killer is what I put in all my kerosene the day I buy it.
+1
Old 03-23-2017, 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by ravill
I have a UAT that is now 9 years old. Along with tygon and BV's recommended in tank tubing. I recently went through it all and it is all in fantastic shape.

If you look on BV's sight, the UAT maintainence is just tightening down the middle cap.

Also, algae killer is what I put in all my kerosene the day I buy it.
What is algae killer and where do you get it? It's OK for turbines to burn I guess, but do you leave fuel in your system as well? Thanks!
Old 03-23-2017, 12:32 PM
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I use Biobor JF. It's available at any marine supply store, or some auto supply stores. You need so little that the 8 oz. size should last you 10+ years.
http://www.biobor.com/products/biobo...uel-additives/
Old 03-23-2017, 01:04 PM
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Thanks Joeflyer! how much do you mix in 5 gal?
Old 03-23-2017, 01:23 PM
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Drops
Old 03-23-2017, 01:44 PM
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Thanks! I am going to go get some tonight.
Old 03-23-2017, 09:14 PM
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Joseph Frost
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Guys, while securing my 4mm polyutherine fuel lines inside the engine cover by twisting thin wire I found the wire breaks easily at the twist. I tried 4 different ones, the worse was the brittle from the wire bush as a tester. Any suggestions what type of wire would be the best for this procedure, .5mm gauge.
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Old 03-24-2017, 04:03 AM
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From the Dreamworks website:

"Stainless Aerospace Safety Wire - .020
Perfect for securing fuel tubing connections.
230' of .020 Stainless wire"
Old 03-24-2017, 05:51 AM
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Originally Posted by AEROSHELDON
Thanks Joeflyer! how much do you mix in 5 gal?
If you do the math shown on the website and bottle directions it works out to 1/16th oz. per 5 gallons.
An 8 oz. bottle will treat 640 gallons of fuel.
Old 03-24-2017, 05:58 AM
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Didn't someone come up with 2ml per 5 gallons before?
Old 03-24-2017, 06:12 AM
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Actually I use a syringe that is calibrated in ml.
2 ml. is a little more than 1/16th oz.

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