Matronics Email Lists :: View topic - Newbie mistake - pulled the sump plug to drain my tanks

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Newbie mistake - pulled the sump plug to drain my tanks

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

cschmokel

Joined: 04 Aug 2009
Posts: 23
Location: Pullman, WA

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:28 pm Post subject: Newbie mistake - pulled the sump plug to drain my tanks

Hey everybody,



Full disclosure .. I'm a newbie pilot, owner operator, mechanic, etc etc.



I decided to try folding my Kitfox 5 taildragger wings back .. and was told by a former Kitfox 4 owner that draining most of the fuel is a good idea otherwise it will spill.



OK, so I pulled the sump plug on the wing and started collecting gas.  After about a minute, I noticed gas spurting out holes in the trailing edge of the wing.  I replaced the sump plug and injected soapy water into the holes to dilute the gas and hopefully get rid of most of it.  Apparently the sump plug is recessed too far and it ends up draining into the wing partially.



- Was this the right thing to do?

- What now?  Should I just leave it as is and let whatever water/soap/gas mixture in the wings evaporate?

- Do I really need to drain the tanks to fold the wings back?



Thanks guys



Carl

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:34 am Post subject: Newbie mistake - pulled the sump plug to drain my tanks

I found it best to drain the tanks either by a custom-made electric  

fuel pump, with a hose placed into the filler hole, and the other end  

in a fuel can, or by the siphon method. In either case get the  

remaining fuel down to at least the 5-gallon level or less. If you  

don't, when the wings are folded, fuel will be forced up into the cap/ 

vent area, and will come out of the cap  when folded. The other  

reason for reducing the fuel in the wings is to reduce the weight  

that will be brought to bear on the pivot bolt at the rear spar. If  

you're planning on trailering your Kitfox, it is best to support the  

wing from the front spar attachment hole down to the lift strut lower  

attachment lug.



Lynn Matteson

Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger

Jabiru 2200, #2062, 805.4 hrs

Countdown to 1000 hrs--195 to go

Sensenich 62"x46" Wood prop

Electroair direct-fire ignition system

Rotec TBI-40 injection

Status: flying (and learning)

On Nov 1, 2009, at 11:28 PM, cschmokel wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Hey everybody,



 Full disclosure .. I'm a newbie pilot, owner operator, mechanic,  

 etc etc.



 I decided to try folding my Kitfox 5 taildragger wings back .. and  

 was told by a former Kitfox 4 owner that draining most of the fuel  

 is a good idea otherwise it will spill.



 OK, so I pulled the sump plug on the wing and started collecting  

 gas.  After about a minute, I noticed gas spurting out holes in the  

 trailing edge of the wing.  I replaced the sump plug and injected  

 soapy water into the holes to dilute the gas and hopefully get rid  

 of most of it.  Apparently the sump plug is recessed too far and it  

 ends up draining into the wing partially.



 - Was this the right thing to do?

 - What now?  Should I just leave it as is and let whatever water/ 

 soap/gas mixture in the wings evaporate?

 - Do I really need to drain the tanks to fold the wings back?



 Thanks guys



 Carl





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p 70541#270541

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

malpass

Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Posts: 39
Location: Marietta, Georgia

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:05 am Post subject: Re: Newbie mistake - pulled the sump plug to drain my tanks

A mechanical siphon is the best way and remove only what the siphon will allow. No chance of electrical sparks with a drill.

 

There is a great device at Northern Tools which is a clear flex line that is a bout 3/4" in diameter, with an interesting siphon ball in the end.  Just insert and shake about 3 times and wallah!, here comes the fuel.  Its almost as fun as flying the plane. (not really).  I can then spent time getting the plane ready to trailer. You don't need to remove all the fuel unless you have a reason for doing so.  I added about 4 more feet of tubing to run over to my gas container on the trailer.

 

The drain line is under 10 bucks.

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

_________________
kitfox III w/ 582 greyhead

FlyboyTR

Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Newbie mistake - pulled the sump plug to drain my tanks

Carl,

You're not the first person to do that!    I have a twist lock, quick drain valve installed on my header tank for draining purposes.  This is a link to them:  http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/curtisquickdv2.php



I have a Mr. Funnel that I hang off the valve to catch the fuel as it drains.  I have siphoned a few times...but if time allows...prefer to drain through the header tank.



Travis

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

_________________
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
ADI-II Autopilot
AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
www.enotam.net (My Flying Info Website)

cschmokel

Joined: 04 Aug 2009
Posts: 23
Location: Pullman, WA

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:22 am Post subject: Re: Newbie mistake - pulled the sump plug to drain my tanks

Thanks for the help everybody!  I'm going to grab one of those twist lock plugs once I empty the tanks out.  Speaking of which, does anybody have recommendations for electric fuel pumps for re-filling the tanks?

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum