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Fuel vent modification

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carl.froehlich(at)verizon
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:55 pm Post subject: Fuel vent modification

Here is a simple way to keep mud-dabbers from clogging your fuel vent.  I think more than one RV has collapsed a fuel tank from a clogged vent.

 

Take a few inches of 3/8” aluminum tubing, cut one end at 45 degrees or so, then JB Weld on a piece of aluminum window screen material.  Once the JB Weld is cured, clean up the edge on a ScotchBrite wheel or similar.  Do a ¾” cut in the other end for a hose clamp, then slide this over the now somewhat shortened standard ¼” vent tubing.  Have the ¼” tubing extend well past where the clamp goes.

 

Carl

RV-8A (800 hours)

RV-10 (FSDO comes to inspect May 23rd)

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dlm34077(at)q.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 2:45 pm Post subject: Fuel vent modification

A simpler solution; just drill a size 50 hole inside the intersection fairing on the back side of the vent tube. It will also prevent impact ice from sealing a vent.        

From: owner-rv10-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv10-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Carl Froehlich

 Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2012 2:54 PM

 To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com; rv8-list(at)matronics.com; rv-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Fuel vent modification  

Here is a simple way to keep mud-dabbers from clogging your fuel vent.  I think more than one RV has collapsed a fuel tank from a clogged vent.  

Take a few inches of 3/8” aluminum tubing, cut one end at 45 degrees or so, then JB Weld on a piece of aluminum window screen material.  Once the JB Weld is cured, clean up the edge on a ScotchBrite wheel or similar.  Do a ¾” cut in the other end for a hose clamp, then slide this over the now somewhat shortened standard ¼” vent tubing.  Have the ¼” tubing extend well past where the clamp goes.  

Carl  

RV-8A (800 hours)  

RV-10 (FSDO comes to inspect May 23rd)  

       [quote][b]

dmaib@me.com

Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 454
Location: New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel vent modification

That looks like a great solution, Carl. I have tried to use JB Weld to glue a similar piece of window screen on the existing vent, and it is so small that it is difficult to get the screen to stay in place. 

It seems to me that the #50 hole on the back of the tube inside the wing root would work as a way to prevent ice from blocking your vent tube, but couldn't a mud dauber go past the hole and do it's thing? I also think I would prefer not to have a vent inside the fairing because of the potential for fumes or avgas venting inside the fairing.

_________________
David Maib
RV-10 #40559
New Smyrna Beach, FL

JohnCiolino(at)carolina.r
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:46 pm Post subject: Fuel vent modification

An alternate method: flare the end of the tube, cut a circular patch of flexible fiberglass screening and make radial cuts leaving center ¼” uncut.  The cuts will allow you to wrap the screen around the tube overlapping the cut pieces. Secure the screen with a piece of shrink tubing. 

 

Easy to do, lasts a long time (2 years so far on my - but can be easily replaced if necessary.

 

John Ciolino

RV-8

N894Y

 

From: owner-rv8-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv8-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Carl Froehlich

Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2012 5:54 PM

To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com; rv8-list(at)matronics.com; rv-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Fuel vent modification

 

Here is a simple way to keep mud-dabbers from clogging your fuel vent.  I think more than one RV has collapsed a fuel tank from a clogged vent.

 

Take a few inches of 3/8” aluminum tubing, cut one end at 45 degrees or so, then JB Weld on a piece of aluminum window screen material.  Once the JB Weld is cured, clean up the edge on a ScotchBrite wheel or similar.  Do a ¾” cut in the other end for a hose clamp, then slide this over the now somewhat shortened standard ¼” vent tubing.  Have the ¼” tubing extend well past where the clamp goes.

 

Carl

RV-8A (800 hours)

RV-10 (FSDO comes to inspect May 23rd)

 

 

   [quote][b]

carl.froehlich(at)verizon
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:00 am Post subject: Fuel vent modification

Yep, the 1/4" tubing is just too small to do this.  I think I will add the small hole for the ice issue.



I've had this vent mod on my 8A for 10 years - works fine.



Carl



On Apr 29, 2012, at 9:21 PM, "dmaib(at)me.com" <dmaib(at)me.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 That looks like a great solution, Carl. I have tried to use JB Weld to glue a similar piece of window screen on the existing vent, and it is so small that it is difficult to get the screen to stay in place. 

 It seems to me that the #50 hole on the back of the tube inside the wing root would work as a way to prevent ice from blocking your vent tube, but couldn't a mud dauber go past the hole and do it's thing? I also think I would prefer not to have a vent inside the fairing because of the potential for fumes or avgas venting inside the fairing.

 

 --------

 David Maib

 RV-10 #40559

 Transition Trainer

 New Smyrna Beach, FL

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=372110#372110

michael(at)sausen.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:20 am Post subject: Fuel vent modification

For anyone that lives in an area where these critters are common, I highly recommend you do something to keep them from blocking your vent.  I had one block the crankcase vent on my motorcycle years ago and  it took me two trips to the dealership to try and figure out why I had oil coming up the clutch cable before one of the guys said check your breather for mud daubers and sure enough, it was plugged tight.  Couple of good raps on the tube and a whole lot of  dirt later and the problem went away.  I’m confident that one of these guys could cause a tank collapse from the vacuum. 

  

Michael 

    

From: owner-rv10-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv10-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Carl Froehlich

 Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2012 4:54 PM

 To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com; rv8-list(at)matronics.com; rv-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Fuel vent modification 

 

 

  

Here is a simple way to keep mud-dabbers from clogging your fuel vent.  I think more than one RV has collapsed a fuel tank from a clogged vent. 

  

Take a few inches of 3/8” aluminum tubing, cut one end at 45 degrees or so, then JB Weld on a piece of aluminum window screen material.  Once the JB Weld is cured, clean  up the edge on a ScotchBrite wheel or similar.  Do a ¾” cut in the other end for a hose clamp, then slide this over the now somewhat shortened standard ¼” vent tubing.  Have the ¼” tubing extend well past where the clamp goes. 

  

Carl 

RV-8A (800 hours) 

RV-10 (FSDO comes to inspect May 23rd) 

  

  

    [quote][b]

Kellym

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1705
Location: Sun Lakes AZ

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:56 am Post subject: Fuel vent modification

There just might be some pitot tube covers that would do the trick. Old 

aircraft from the post WWII era had pitots that were just 1/4" tubing, 

like the Cessnas of that era. Reminds me, should check with airport 

maintenance...they collect pitot covers by the dozens off the runways.......



On 4/30/2012 6:18 AM, Michael Sausen wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 For anyone that lives in an area where these critters are common, I 

 highly recommend you do something to keep them from blocking your 

 vent. I had one block the crankcase vent on my motorcycle years ago 

 and it took me two trips to the dealership to try and figure out why I 

 had oil coming up the clutch cable before one of the guys said check 

 your breather for mud daubers and sure enough, it was plugged tight. 

 Couple of good raps on the tube and a whole lot of dirt later and the 

 problem went away. I’m confident that one of these guys could cause a 

 tank collapse from the vacuum.



 Michael



 ****


	




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_________________
Kelly McMullen
A&P/IA, EAA Tech Counselor # 5286
KCHD

Tim Olson

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2872

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:35 am Post subject: Fuel vent modification

You'd still have to protect the hole from Mud Daubers if you

are in an area where that is something that can happen, but,

there is a way to do a vent in the wing root that shouldn't

cause fume issues:



http://www.myrv10.com/N104CD/upgrades/20090525/index.html



I have a one-way checkvalve in there so that if the vent

ices over, I can't have a vacuum collapse on the tank.

I saw this one from the Lancair builders.



Tim



On 4/29/2012 8:21 PM, dmaib(at)me.com wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 That looks like a great solution, Carl. I have tried to use JB Weld to glue a similar piece of window screen on the existing vent, and it is so small that it is difficult to get the screen to stay in place.

 It seems to me that the #50 hole on the back of the tube inside the wing root would work as a way to prevent ice from blocking your vent tube, but couldn't a mud dauber go past the hole and do it's thing? I also think I would prefer not to have a vent inside the fairing because of the potential for fumes or avgas venting inside the fairing.



 --------

 David Maib

 RV-10 #40559

 Transition Trainer

 New Smyrna Beach, FL





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=372110#372110

dlm34077(at)q.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:07 am Post subject: Fuel vent modification

Another area for blockages is the end of the fuel quick drains; at 1H0 I

left the Glastar overnight and returned the next day to an egg sac inside

the hole where the fuel cup pin is inserted. Gasoline takes a while to clean

it out; usually quicker to change drains and soak the fitting in acetone or

gasoline overnight.



--

deej(at)deej.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:04 pm Post subject: Fuel vent modification

On 04/29/2012 05:53 PM, Carl Froehlich wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Here is a simple way to keep mud-dabbers from clogging your fuel vent. 


	


	Here is another simple and cheap way to keep mud daubers out of your vent:

http://deej.net/glastar/pics/measure/photo7.jpg



	I think I paid $0.99 for a pack of 100:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Kids-Craft-100pk-Fuzzy-Sticks-Neon/19525338



	

1) Take one fuzzy stick and cut it in half.



2) Take one of the halves and fold in two forming a "V".



3) About 2 inches from the base of the "V", bend each side out 90

degrees.  You will end up with a shape like  _/\_



4) Stick the end of the "V" into your vent.



5) Add it to your checklist to remove during pre-flight.  If you do

happen to forget to remove them, they do allow some air to pass.  You

could use the whole fuzzy stick per vent if you wanted to make them

longer and stick out more to be more noticeable for a low wing plane.



-Dj



-- 

Dj Merrill - N1JOV

Sportsman 2+2 Builder #7118 N421DJ - http://deej.net/sportsman/

Glastar Flyer N866RH - http://deej.net/glastar/

nukeflyboy

Joined: 05 Jan 2008
Posts: 162
Location: Granbury, TX

Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 10:41 am Post subject: Re: Fuel vent modification

Here is another suggestion.



I bought a small ball check valve from Grainger.  It has a 1/4 NPT fitting and is small, about the size of an AN fitting.  I used a Tee to splice it into the vent line inside of the gap.  It acts as a vacuum breaker in the event that the vent is blocked for any reason.  It also keeps the small positive pressure on the fuel tank.



I can send details later if anyone is interested.

_________________
Dave Moore
RV-6 built and sold
RV-10 built and flying

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