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Showing results for tags 'Fuel Selector'.
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Need your help please, Anyone have recent experience with replacing or overhauling the Fuel Selector valve on the M20J. My A&P tells me it needs replacement or overhaul because you can't feel the L or R position detents anymore. Since I have owned the plane I never could feel any detents when changing selector positions but the high friction load on the selector valve handle pretty much guaranteed it wasn't going to move anyway. It takes about double the continuous effort to rotate the valve when changing tanks from what I'm used to when comparing to a Piper or Cessna's fuel selector valve. With as much effort as it takes for rotation I doubt a spring loaded detent could be felt anyway. At least in my plane. So here's my questions, #1 Do the Mooneys you boys and girls have experience in have definable detents that can be felt in the Left or Right fuel selector positions? Mine doesn't that's why I'm asking. #2 Does anyone know of a source that reconditions or has replacements for these fuel selectors or even may have parts for a field rebuild? Thanks for any help you can provide, Bill
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Interesting, as in something to learn, by this fuel starvation accident involving an M20E. http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2018/02/mooney-m20e-chaparral-n7118u-registered.html This one happened climbing out from takeoff at only 1000' agl which doesn't say a lot about the pilots pre-flight. But that low, the pilot tried changing tanks but had to put it down. See the very brief report. Since these birds have the fuel selector in such a bad place that many pilots use a hand made PVC tool to switch tanks, I wonder if a possible combination of a tight fuel selector and such a practice led to not noticing the handle was becoming loose till it created this real problem. Regardless, Its something this event suggest to be on the look out for; as well as ensuring your on the fullest tank with plenty of gas.
