Weeping Drain Valves

[skippydiesel]

My Sonex wing tanks have SAF-AIR push type fuel drain valves.

They leak or rather they weep very slowly.

The whole aircraft, including valves, have only done 185 hrs in about 2 years and the valves have been leaking for most of that time.

I make a point of pulling each one down after every preflight drain – doesn’t help.

The weep is so slow that this is more of an aesthetic problem – stains on my wings, than any practical issue.

All helpful suggestions welcome😈

[rodgerc]

Tena pads or Depends if it’s only minor leakage. 

Edited 7 hours ago by rodgerc

[djpacro]

17 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

My Sonex wing tanks have SAF-AIR push type fuel drain valves.

They leak or rather they weep very slowly.

I've had the same problem with new drain valves. Take them out and clean them - dirt or a burr is enough to open them enough to leak. Have a friend with you to stick their finger in the hole or have a plug (perhaps an old valve) ready to screw in.

[facthunter]

I usually just give them a few twists each way while holding them DOWN if they are the Item I'm thinking of. Nev

[skippydiesel]

29 minutes ago, djpacro said:

I've had the same problem with new drain valves. Take them out and clean them - dirt or a burr is enough to open them enough to leak. Have a friend with you to stick their finger in the hole or have a plug (perhaps an old valve) ready to screw in.

Or use up all the fuel - just topped up the tanks today, so will be a while before empty.

 

This should not happen though - must be a crap design if so easily defected.

 

Will try your suggestion - nothing to lose except the staines and very slightly lower fuel consumption.😈

[facthunter]

 Remove and have a Plug or cork ready and clean and Lap it, then put it back in. Do you Filter your fuel or is there any sediment showing in your drain sample.  Nev.

[Blueadventures]

Don't fly while dripping fuel leak under a plane, back fire on start up, small pool of evaporating fuel and light breeze wrong way and you have a fire possibility.  Happened at Proserpine to an RAA aircraft a few years back.  I don't like the push up steel (get rusty) ones, not uncommon to leak and need replacing.

Edited 4 hours ago by Blueadventures

[Moneybox]

You most likely have a bit of sediment in the tank. Try opening them fully a couple of times to hopefully flush it enough to seal the contact area.

[BrendAn]

I replaced my Curtis valve. Not cheap at $54 but now it's always dry under the plane. Used to be greeted by a big wet patch on the floor each weekend. Didn't like that when av gas is $2.80 p/l