PA-30 fuel valve for heater

[Edward Rudhman]

In an attempt to figure out why my heater won't fire up, I discovered the fuel valve mounted to the firewall which is connected to a control knob on the panel leaks fuel. I took it off and took it to the local airfiled parts supply. I don't see this part in the Piper Parts Catalog, or in the Southwind/Stuart-Warner manual. The parts supply outfit couldn't figure out where to get a new one, or if this one is repairable.

Any suggestions? Ed

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

It should be reparable. Most leak because they get twisted too far and the packing nut turns and the valve gets loose. It is a simple valve that can be disassembled, re packed with ne o rings and then returned to service. Simply tightening the packing nut may also solve the issue. This is a reason to only trat this as a firewall emergency shutoff valve. Turning it every flight causes leaks!
-Zach

[jeffrey aryan]

[Edward Rudhman]

[Chuck Bauman]

So Zach, Do you mean that we shouldn't open the fuel valve for each flight? Could you expound upon that? I manually open mine every flight In the winter. Thanks a bunch.
Chuck