Fuel drain...no flow

[Stephen Flaherty]

Hi... I flew my 1969 260C the other day and when it was time to come home the next day I could not get any fuel to flow through the fuel drain to check the fuel. I opened the trap door in the floor and pulled the latch aft like always...but no flow. No flow from any of the tanks (and yes I ensure it was on the detent for each tank). I crawled under the plane, pushed up on the plastic drain tube and did get some fuel flowing that stopped when I released pressure. What should I tell my mechanic to expect to find/repair? Thanks!

Stephen

[AlanBreen]

Hello Stephen,

I'm not familiar with the fuel drain system on the 260C. From the way you describe it it sounds similar to the PA30. If that's the case then I suspect the plastic tube has some how got a kink in it and is restricting the flow.

Has any maintenance been done on the aircraft recently? It is a requirement on the PA30 to take the bowls off the bottom of the fuel selectors during maintenance inspections. To do that, a panel is removed from the belly of the aircraft.This is the panel where the plastic tube exits. If the 260 has the same set up I'm wondering if the tube has been kinked or pinched when the panel was put back on.

Regards,
Alan

[Stephen Flaherty]

Thanks Alan and also Cliff who responded by email.

My mechanic told me he found the lever seemed to have gotten caught over the head of a bolt such that its travel was restricted. Sorry, thats the best I have for info but the good news is everything seems normal now.

Steve

[AlanBreen]

Hi Steve,

I'm pleased you have it all sorted

Regards,
Alan