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Fuel-Flow Problem

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grnordgarden(at)cox.net
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 10:34 am Post subject: Fuel-Flow Problem

The A/C in question is a 1974 Bellanca 7ECA, re-engined with an O-320 so it's  effectively a 7GCAA. It belongs to the Offutt AFB Aero Club and has seen very  little use, often sitting for weeks at a time until a week ago when I began  taking dual in it 2-3 times a week to get my tailwheel endorsement. The fuel  system is non-inverted, so no header tank -- two 18-gallon wing tanks with check  valves to a single vent on the left, crossflow pipes to the aft fuel manifold  under the baggage compartment and crossflow pipes to the forward fuel manifold  on the firewall. Caps are non-vented and the gaskets are like new. 

This A/C is drawing 3-4 times as much fuel from the left tank as from the  right and it's not crossflowing on the ground, even overnight. We've made right  patterns as well as lefts -- makes no difference. We haven't done any extended  S&L flight, just 11 NM to Plattsmouth, NE for pattern work. The club's  A&P has blown out the feed and vent lines and got a good blast into the  right tank from both. We're getting a free flow of clean gas out of all four  drains. 

So what's our next move? Anybody had this problem? 

Rick

   [quote][b]

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Jon Reining

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 37

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: Re: Fuel-Flow Problem

I will notice that one take, usually the left but not always, draws down quicker, especially when starting with both tanks full.  However, on longer cross country trips, if I stop in the middle for a break, check both tanks, one may be drawn down more, but after the second leg it seems to balance out.  If one is drawn down more than the other and I leave it parked overnight, it does not self correct.  I have a 7KCAB with inverted fuel, but otherwise I think similar set-up. 



Since it hasn't been a huge disparity, I've not investigated it too much.  Sorry I can't be of assistance.  If you find a culprit, I would be curious what it is.



Jon

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wturansky(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject: Fuel-Flow Problem

I have a 7ECA with the same fuel set up.  I draw more from the left tank 

but only 10-15% over an hour flight.  When the plane sits overnight the 

tanks equalize.  If you figure out what the problem is please post it to 

the list as I would like to know.



Walt



grnordgarden wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 The A/C in question is a 1974 Bellanca 7ECA, re-engined with an O-320 

 so it's effectively a 7GCAA. It belongs to the Offutt AFB Aero Club 

 and has seen very little use, often sitting for weeks at a time until 

 a week ago when I began taking dual in it 2-3 times a week to get my 

 tailwheel endorsement. The fuel system is non-inverted, so no header 

 tank -- two 18-gallon wing tanks with check valves to a single vent on 

 the left, crossflow pipes to the aft fuel manifold under the baggage 

 compartment and crossflow pipes to the forward fuel manifold on the 

 firewall. Caps are non-vented and the gaskets are like new.



 This A/C is drawing 3-4 times as much fuel from the left tank as from 

 the right and it's not crossflowing on the ground, even overnight. 

 We've made right patterns as well as lefts -- makes no difference. We 

 haven't done any extended S&L flight, just 11 NM to Plattsmouth, NE 

 for pattern work. The club's A&P has blown out the feed and vent lines 

 and got a good blast into the right tank from both. We're getting a 

 free flow of clean gas out of all four drains.



 So what's our next move? Anybody had this problem?



 Rick



 *

 *

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grnordgarden(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject: Fuel-Flow Problem

Wilco.  I think the A&P will have to take that right-tank check-valve out 

and have a close look at it...



Rick Nordgarden



---

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