---------------------------------------------------------- RV-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 04/17/12: 9 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:08 AM - Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul (Bill Judge) 2. 06:00 AM - Re: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul (Kelly McMullen) 3. 08:27 AM - Re: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul (Denis Walsh) 4. 08:48 AM - Re: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul (Bruce) 5. 09:13 AM - Re: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul (Robin Marks) 6. 11:32 AM - Re: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul (Dave Mader) 7. 12:19 PM - Re: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul (Charlie England) 8. 12:23 PM - Re: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul (Charlie England) 9. 01:54 PM - Re: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul (Kelly McMullen) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:08:14 AM PST US From: Bill Judge Subject: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul John, Thanks for the offer! I can re lube the selector with out having to remove it so I'll just do that. Half of what I'm trying to avoid is removing the valve because it's in such an awkward spot to work on. I'll just remove the gland nut and re lube and put it back in. Vans reports that EZ turn is the lube to use. Still, I guess I'll just slide the valve stem out a bit and see if my tanks are empty enough. I'm always amazed how everyone uses the really expensive and much harder to install Andair valve when the standard Vans one works just fine... Well, mine is a little stiff after more than 5 years and 730 hrs... Bill > Time: 09:16:05 AM PST US > From: "John Fasching" > Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul > > Bill, I had, but sold, an RV6A that once had a standard Van's fuel > selector - the brass one - I had replaced it with a fancier one and > still have the original laying on a shelf in the hangar...its yours for > the cost of mailing it to you if you want it. > > John at Salida, CO > n29cx@ridgeviewtel.us > > Greetings, Has anyone on the list overhauled a vans standard fuel selector valve? If you have I've got a few questions: How empty do the fuel tanks have to be? Is EZ-Turn Fuel lube the right stuff to use? Any gotcha's I should worry about? Thanks, Bill Judge N84WJ, RV-8, 732 hrs http://rv-8.blogspot.com/ ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:00:53 AM PST US From: Kelly McMullen Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul Well, I had a certified valve on a Cessna that went 40 years before it needed service, and only took new o-rings to fix. I have a 47 year old valve with over 6000 hours on a Mooney that hasn't needed service yet. So yes, there is a difference in quality between what Van's supplies and real quality. Kelly RV-10 with Andair, "finishing" On 4/17/2012 4:06 AM, Bill Judge wrote: > J > I'm always amazed how everyone uses the really expensive and much > harder to install Andair valve when the standard Vans one works just > fine... Well, mine is a little stiff after more than 5 years and 730 > hrs... > > Bill > **** ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 08:27:03 AM PST US Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul From: Denis Walsh I removed my (standard Van's) fuel valve a year or so ago and replaced it. It was leaking around the stem a bit after 14 years of hard service. I felt it was entitled to be replaced. After I went to all that aggravation and toil, with good success, I did an autopsy on the old valve, and learned I could have easily just removed the guts without taking out the whole thing. I can't remember for sure but there is probably an o ring on that stem, and some lube would have fixed it. HOWEVER. I do recall that there was a previous version of this valve which had a brass innerd instead of the present nylon one. That thing had a tendency to jamb after a few years and scared the crap out of a few people when they were unable to switch tanks in flight. SO when you remove it, check to see if it is brass or nylon. The nylon ones still get a little stiff but don't jam like the old ones. I would consider changing it if it is the old brass type. Lastly: If you don't fly very often, I would make a check list item to make sure you switch tanks before take off to insure it is not jammed! Denis Walsh denis.walsh@comcast.net On Apr 17, 2012, at 5:06 , Bill Judge wrote: > John, > Thanks for the offer! I can re lube the selector with out having to remove it so I'll just do that. Half of what I'm trying to avoid is removing the valve because it's in such an awkward spot to work on. I'll just remove the gland nut and re lube and put it back in. > > Vans reports that EZ turn is the lube to use. > > Still, I guess I'll just slide the valve stem out a bit and see if my tanks are empty enough. > > I'm always amazed how everyone uses the really expensive and much harder to install Andair valve when the standard Vans one works just fine... Well, mine is a little stiff after more than 5 years and 730 hrs... > > Bill > > > > > Time: 09:16:05 AM PST US > From: "John Fasching" > Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul > > Bill, I had, but sold, an RV6A that once had a standard Van's fuel > selector - the brass one - I had replaced it with a fancier one and > still have the original laying on a shelf in the hangar...its yours for > the cost of mailing it to you if you want it. > > John at Salida, CO > n29cx@ridgeviewtel.us > > Greetings, > Has anyone on the list overhauled a vans standard fuel selector valve? > > If you have I've got a few questions: > How empty do the fuel tanks have to be? > Is EZ-Turn Fuel lube the right stuff to use? > Any gotcha's I should worry about? > > Thanks, > > Bill Judge > N84WJ, RV-8, 732 hrs > http://rv-8.blogspot.com/ > > > ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 08:48:10 AM PST US From: "Bruce" Subject: RE: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul Please, do not switch tanks just before take-off. If there is any problem with feeding fuel from the new selected tank, you'll discover it about 50 above the runway. Bruce WWW.Glasair.org -----Original Message----- From: owner-rv-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Denis Walsh Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 11:24 AM Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul I removed my (standard Van's) fuel valve a year or so ago and replaced it. It was leaking around the stem a bit after 14 years of hard service. I felt it was entitled to be replaced. After I went to all that aggravation and toil, with good success, I did an autopsy on the old valve, and learned I could have easily just removed the guts without taking out the whole thing. I can't remember for sure but there is probably an o ring on that stem, and some lube would have fixed it. HOWEVER. I do recall that there was a previous version of this valve which had a brass innerd instead of the present nylon one. That thing had a tendency to jamb after a few years and scared the crap out of a few people when they were unable to switch tanks in flight. SO when you remove it, check to see if it is brass or nylon. The nylon ones still get a little stiff but don't jam like the old ones. I would consider changing it if it is the old brass type. Lastly: If you don't fly very often, I would make a check list item to make sure you switch tanks before take off to insure it is not jammed! Denis Walsh denis.walsh@comcast.net On Apr 17, 2012, at 5:06 , Bill Judge wrote: John, Thanks for the offer! I can re lube the selector with out having to remove it so I'll just do that. Half of what I'm trying to avoid is removing the valve because it's in such an awkward spot to work on. I'll just remove the gland nut and re lube and put it back in. Vans reports that EZ turn is the lube to use. Still, I guess I'll just slide the valve stem out a bit and see if my tanks are empty enough. I'm always amazed how everyone uses the really expensive and much harder to install Andair valve when the standard Vans one works just fine... Well, mine is a little stiff after more than 5 years and 730 hrs... Bill Time: 09:16:05 AM PST US From: "John Fasching" Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul Bill, I had, but sold, an RV6A that once had a standard Van's fuel selector - the brass one - I had replaced it with a fancier one and still have the original laying on a shelf in the hangar...its yours for the cost of mailing it to you if you want it. John at Salida, CO n29cx@ridgeviewtel.us Greetings, Has anyone on the list overhauled a vans standard fuel selector valve? If you have I've got a few questions: How empty do the fuel tanks have to be? Is EZ-Turn Fuel lube the right stuff to use? Any gotcha's I should worry about? Thanks, Bill Judge N84WJ, RV-8, 732 hrs http://rv-8.blogspot.com/ href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV-List">http://www.matronics.c om/Navigator?RV-List href="http://forums.matronics.com/">http://forums.matronics.com href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/co ntribution ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 09:13:21 AM PST US From: Robin Marks Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul I had a vans valve on my 6A and was tired of fuel on my hands. I eventually swapped it out for an Andair valve. Wow what a difference. I have had 3 RV s since then all with Andair valves. The top reasons for pilot deaths is WX and Fuel issues. Now granted most likely fuel management not fuel valve bu t I figure anything one can do to upgrade the fuel system is $ well spent. Robin Sent from the new iPad On Apr 17, 2012, at 9:04 AM, "Bruce" > wrote: Please, do not switch tanks just before take-off. If there is any problem w ith feeding fuel from the new selected tank, you=92ll discover it about 50 above the runway. Bruce WWW.Glasair.org -----Original Message----- From: owner-rv-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Denis Wal sh Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 11:24 AM Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul I removed my (standard Van's) fuel valve a year or so ago and replaced it. It was leaking around the stem a bit after 14 years of hard service. I fe lt it was entitled to be replaced. After I went to all that aggravation and toil, with good success, I did an autopsy on the old valve, and learned I could have easily just removed the guts without taking out the whole thing. I can't remember for sure but the re is probably an o ring on that stem, and some lube would have fixed it. HOWEVER. I do recall that there was a previous version of this valve which had a brass innerd instead of the present nylon one. That thing had a ten dency to jamb after a few years and scared the crap out of a few people whe n they were unable to switch tanks in flight. SO when you remove it, check to see if it is brass or nylon. The nylon on es still get a little stiff but don't jam like the old ones. I would cons ider changing it if it is the old brass type. Lastly: If you don't fly very often, I would make a check list item to mak e sure you switch tanks before take off to insure it is not jammed! Denis Walsh denis.walsh@comcast.net On Apr 17, 2012, at 5:06 , Bill Judge wrote: John, Thanks for the offer! I can re lube the selector with out having to remove it so I'll just do that. Half of what I'm trying to avoid is removing the v alve because it's in such an awkward spot to work on. I'll just remove the gland nut and re lube and put it back in. Vans reports that EZ turn is the lube to use. Still, I guess I'll just slide the valve stem out a bit and see if my tanks are empty enough. I'm always amazed how everyone uses the really expensive and much harder to install Andair valve when the standard Vans one works just fine... Well, mine is a little stiff after more than 5 years and 730 hrs... Bill Time: 09:16:05 AM PST US From: "John Fasching" > Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul Bill, I had, but sold, an RV6A that once had a standard Van's fuel selector - the brass one - I had replaced it with a fancier one and still have the original laying on a shelf in the hangar...its yours for the cost of mailing it to you if you want it. John at Salida, CO n29cx@ridgeviewtel.us Greetings, Has anyone on the list overhauled a vans standard fuel selector valve? If you have I've got a few questions: How empty do the fuel tanks have to be? Is EZ-Turn Fuel lube the right stuff to use? Any gotcha's I should worry about? Thanks, Bill Judge N84WJ, RV-8, 732 hrs http://rv-8.blogspot.com/ href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV-List">http://www.matronics.co m/Navigator?RV-List href="http://forums.matronics.com/">http://forums.matronics.com href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/con tribution - The RV-List Email Forum - --> http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV-List - MATRONICS WEB FORUMS - --> http://forums.matronics.com - List Contribution Web Site - Thank you for your generous support! -Matt Dralle, List Admin. --> http://www.matronics.com/contribution ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 11:32:33 AM PST US From: "Dave Mader" Subject: RE: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul I do know Vans changed his standard valve a few years ago. My first valve from Vans went on my first RV6 in the '90s caused lots of problems, his later valve I installed on my last RV6 in 2005 has worked well. -----Original Message----- From: owner-rv-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Kelly McMullen Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7:00 AM Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul Well, I had a certified valve on a Cessna that went 40 years before it needed service, and only took new o-rings to fix. I have a 47 year old valve with over 6000 hours on a Mooney that hasn't needed service yet. So yes, there is a difference in quality between what Van's supplies and real quality. Kelly RV-10 with Andair, "finishing" On 4/17/2012 4:06 AM, Bill Judge wrote: > J > I'm always amazed how everyone uses the really expensive and much > harder to install Andair valve when the standard Vans one works just > fine... Well, mine is a little stiff after more than 5 years and 730 > hrs... > > Bill > **** ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 12:19:05 PM PST US From: Charlie England Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul Hi Bill, If mounting position is similar to the -4, you'll probably be ok at a little under 1/2 tanks. The -8 has longer tanks, so you'll probably need to go a little under 1/2 (which worked on my -4). If you have a gascolator, & it's lower than your selector valve, just do your draining from there, with a loose fitting near the valve to break any siphon effects. Charlie On 04/17/2012 06:06 AM, Bill Judge wrote: > John, > Thanks for the offer! I can re lube the selector with out having to > remove it so I'll just do that. Half of what I'm trying to avoid is > removing the valve because it's in such an awkward spot to work on. > I'll just remove the gland nut and re lube and put it back in. > > Vans reports that EZ turn is the lube to use. > > Still, I guess I'll just slide the valve stem out a bit and see if my > tanks are empty enough. > > I'm always amazed how everyone uses the really expensive and much > harder to install Andair valve when the standard Vans one works just > fine... Well, mine is a little stiff after more than 5 years and 730 > hrs... > > Bill > > > Time: 09:16:05 AM PST US > From: "John Fasching" > > Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul > > Bill, I had, but sold, an RV6A that once had a standard Van's fuel > selector - the brass one - I had replaced it with a fancier one and > still have the original laying on a shelf in the hangar...its > yours for > the cost of mailing it to you if you want it. > > John at Salida, CO > n29cx@ridgeviewtel.us > > Greetings, > Has anyone on the list overhauled a vans standard fuel selector valve? > > If you have I've got a few questions: > How empty do the fuel tanks have to be? > Is EZ-Turn Fuel lube the right stuff to use? > Any gotcha's I should worry about? > > Thanks, > > Bill Judge > N84WJ, RV-8, 732 hrs > http://rv-8.blogspot.com/ > ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 12:23:23 PM PST US From: Charlie England Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul And if you had a turbine on either a/c, you wouldn't have had to overhaul the engine 6 or 8 times, either. Doesn't mean that it would be a good value on the plane, though. Charlie On 04/17/2012 07:59 AM, Kelly McMullen wrote: > > Well, I had a certified valve on a Cessna that went 40 years before it > needed service, and only took new o-rings to fix. I have a 47 year old > valve with over 6000 hours on a Mooney that hasn't needed service yet. > So yes, there is a difference in quality between what Van's supplies > and real quality. > Kelly > RV-10 with Andair, "finishing" > > On 4/17/2012 4:06 AM, Bill Judge wrote: >> J >> I'm always amazed how everyone uses the really expensive and much >> harder to install Andair valve when the standard Vans one works just >> fine... Well, mine is a little stiff after more than 5 years and 730 >> hrs... >> >> Bill >> **** > ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 01:54:34 PM PST US From: Kelly McMullen Subject: Re: RV-List: Vans standard fuel selector valve overhaul In 6000+ hours my Mooney has had approx 1 overhaul per decade, including one for gear up landing. As in 4 total over 47 years. Lycoming publishes 12 yrs or 2000 hours to TBO. That is what mine has averaged and as expected. Fuel valves don't see anywhere near that kind of action, and shouldn't need more than O-ring replacement once every 10-20 years. What price do you put on the quality of your fuel valve when you have a couple gallons in one tank and 20-30 in the other tank not selected with no airport within 100nm? On 4/17/2012 12:23 PM, Charlie England wrote: > > And if you had a turbine on either a/c, you wouldn't have had to > overhaul the engine 6 or 8 times, either. Doesn't mean that it would > be a good value on the plane, though. > > Charlie > > ----- No virus found in this message. 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