Cowled engine fueling
 

How do you set up the fuel tank lines for an engine that is inside a cowling? This is my first plane I'm building that has an enclosed engine.

RE: Cowled engine fueling
 

I suppse there are several ways to do it but I either do one of two things.

Use a dubro quick fueler on the side of the fuse. 1 line from muffler to tank. 1 line from carb to quick fueler to tank. If the muffler is inaccessible to remove the pressure line when filling the tank, I add a third line for fueling and cap it off before flight. (If the third line is done, I make sure there is a way to clamp the carb line so I don't flood the engine when filling)

Or If not using a quick fueler of some sort, I'll run one from the muffler to tank. Another line from carb to tank. The car-tank line is cut and connected with a brass tube. This line is place in an area I can access it to pull it apart and fill the tank.

RE: Cowled engine fueling
 

Keep it simple!
I found using an extra (third) line for fueling be unessesary, only one more thing that can start to leak and you need to plug it or clamp it when the engine is running.

Simply separate the carburator fuel line with something. I use the L shaped, plastic fuel tube that comes with the Great Planes fuel tanks. You can also use a piece of brass tubing.

To refuel, separate the fuel line and fill up the tank, then reattach the fuel line and start the engine.
Simple and foolproof!

RE: Cowled engine fueling
 

Thanks guys. How do I know when to stop fueling? This is on a Cap232 Breitling with an OS .46 SF with a Pitts muffler if that helps any.

RE: Cowled engine fueling
 

Unplug the fuel line from the muffler and when fuel comes out that line, the tank is full.

RE: Cowled engine fueling
 

If you can't get to the line that is connected with the muffler then just keep fueling until it starts to come out the muffler.

If you can see the line going to the muffler, then just watch until you see the fuel just starting to get to the muffler and stop then, thiss helps to keep fuel off the grass/table (if you are fueling on grass/table).

RE: Cowled engine fueling
 

Most tanks hav provisions for a third line which you can set up for fueling. You can have the come outof the cowling or any other place that's convenient. Be sure to cap that line before flying. there are systems available from Tower for fuel dots that fit into the tank to carb line. These are the easier than any of the third line types.

RE: Cowled engine fueling
 

Thanks guys, that gives me some options that I can look at. My concern was mostly how could I tell when the tank was fully fueled if I couldn't disconnect the exhaust pressure line, which I can't. It seems that I can just fill until it drips a little out the exhaust.

RE: Cowled engine fueling
 

fuel dots work the best,if you put an elbow in the fuel line to the carb you still have the same risk of leaks.just use the third line port in the tank almost all tanks come with them plugged,and hemostats work good for reaching the muffler pressure line,i also use an old fuel tank to catch any excess fuel from the pressure line.get the decent aluminum fuel dots also they cost a little more but they last a lot longer and they mount flush with the cowl.

RE: Cowled engine fueling
 

Also, to keep the fuel from flowing out your carb be sure to close it (throttle closed)

RE: Cowled engine fueling
 

Okay, these "fuelers" that are mounted in the cowl somewhere are fine but you need to by a set of "Hemostats". You see the fuel line will come out through the firewall as normal and go straight to the carb right? Well somewhere between the firewall and the carb, you cut the line and put in a "tee" fitting. Thus the line continues on to the carb and your new line is the one you connect to your fueler.

The big trick is when you fuel this way, fuel "WILL" run out the carb. You use the hemostats to pinch off the line by the carb to prevent the fuel from running out while you fuel. When your done fueling remove the stats.