Jim Peace Posted October 26, 2016 Report Posted October 26, 2016 (edited) Just found this on my plane today. It appears to be isolated to the selector only. The action feels like it is grinding a bit as well. Mx is already notified and will fix it. They said it will be fine to do a flight or two until they can get to it. there has never been a blue stain there before. Would anyone else fly with this? I wanted to put an hour or so on the airplane this week being that it has not flown in a while. Edited October 26, 2016 by Jim Peace
carusoam Posted October 26, 2016 Report Posted October 26, 2016 Almost easily fixable... Check in with Lasar, they OH the valve. Or, could be a bunch of O-rings... Best regards, -a- 1
Andy95W Posted October 27, 2016 Report Posted October 27, 2016 If you don't smell fuel in the cabin, and don't change from the right tank for your one hour flight, I'd go fly with you. Edit- I would only do this because our C models have carburetors, not fuel injection. And our airplanes are practically twins.
carusoam Posted October 27, 2016 Report Posted October 27, 2016 Also know that fuel that seeps out of the valve can also turn into air that bleeds in through the valve. Air is lower in viscosity so it might draw in more air than seep out fuel at a high power setting. An extra variable without being able to see if it is small or large. If you have a FF gauge you might get some strange response when air bubbles are in the line. PP ideas, not a mechanic... Best regards, -a-
orionflt Posted October 27, 2016 Report Posted October 27, 2016 Clean up the blue stain, actuate the valve to ensure there is no binding and look to see if you have fuel seeping out at the shaft. If the valve turns smoothly and fuel isn't running out you are safe to fly. the o-rings are just getting old and temp changes will allow for some seepage, put it on your list to get the valve repacked at annual. if there is binding in the valve, then an o-ring probably failed and the valve should be repacked now. Brian
Jim Peace Posted October 29, 2016 Author Report Posted October 29, 2016 I am AOG right now. My mechanic says I have fuel selector part number 940073-503. I am thousands of miles from my parts catalog. Does this seem like it could have been used in a 64c with serial number 2799? Being quoted a price of 2400 bucks for the part from mooney. I thought this could be fixed with just a few O rings. Has anyone installed this part from Mooney and what is your experience with it? I suggested to my IA to contact LASAR but not sure if he did. Mine is the one without the pull ring. Thanks in advance
N201MKTurbo Posted October 29, 2016 Report Posted October 29, 2016 (edited) It can probably be fixed with a few o rings. Weather the mechanic you are working with is willing to do it is another matter. There are no service instructions for the valve so a lot of mechanics won't touch it. FWIW if any significant amount of fuel leaked out, it would most likely drain into the belly and be sucked overboard. Not condoning flying with a fuel leak, but the risk is pretty low.IMHO. Also, there is very little pressure at that valve. The fuel pump sucks fuel through it. Edited October 29, 2016 by N201MKTurbo 1
Jim Peace Posted October 29, 2016 Author Report Posted October 29, 2016 10 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said: There are no service instructions for the valve so a lot of mechanics won't touch it. Yeah that is what I figured. It is at a MSC right now and I am sure replacing the valve is the only way they will go. It sucks that a fuel selector will cost as much if not more than my normal annuals.
gsxrpilot Posted October 29, 2016 Report Posted October 29, 2016 Maxwell would probably pull the selector and service it for a couple of hundred $$. I just looked it up... Complete overhaul of the Fuel Selector including seals, o-rings, gaskets, etc. Parts $43.04 Labor $354.64
Andy95W Posted October 29, 2016 Report Posted October 29, 2016 Jim- you appear to have a factory stock fuel valve for the 1960's vintage M20C. Some shops, over the years, modify the valve to have an external drain rather than the pull ring for easier maintenance and ability to get parts for the pull ring. This valve is repairable. If your shop isn't willing to deal with an outside competitor (LASAR), then I think you should ask them for the valve and send it to LASAR yourself. Your shop shouldn't have a problem installing the overhauled valve with fresh airworthiness paperwork. It sounds like the MSC you take your plane to is more comfortable working on the modern Mooneys and not our Vintage ones. Sometimes, an old fashioned shade-tree mechanic can be a better way to go. I would not have envisioned what you are going through, however. 2
cliffy Posted October 29, 2016 Report Posted October 29, 2016 Tell your shop you will get it repaired WITH correct paperwork on return and send it to Maxwell. yourself. It may take longer than just plopping a new valve in but you'll have more money for avgas when done:-) You don't have to waste your money. There is nothing too difficult about resealing and cleaning up the valve. I did it on mine (I'm an A&P with a 64 also). There are two very tiny ball bearings inside that work as the "detents" that will disappear if one is not careful on disassembly (do it over a clean white towel).
Jim Peace Posted October 29, 2016 Author Report Posted October 29, 2016 (edited) 5 hours ago, N1395W said: I would not have envisioned what you are going through, however. Me either. Unfortunately I am going through some tough times right now with a death in family and other issues. I just don't have the time to do any of the leg work myself like I normally would. I am just going to bite the bullet and get it repaired by the MSC it is in and hope that I may be able to get the plane up and running by the time I need to ferry it to Florida in a few weeks. Hopefully this will come back to me in a positive way somehow.......This fuel selector will cost the same as an annual inspection. Makes me rethink aircraft ownership. Edited October 29, 2016 by Jim Peace
lamont337 Posted October 30, 2016 Report Posted October 30, 2016 Had mine rebuilt by Lasar for about $160. I know you have some external factors but damn, that would be a hard check to write. 1
gsxrpilot Posted October 30, 2016 Report Posted October 30, 2016 Do you need one of us to come pick up your bird and fly it to LASAR or Maxwell? ;-)
carusoam Posted October 30, 2016 Report Posted October 30, 2016 My parts catalog covers 65 and newer... Figure 37 is engine fuel system -10 is the sub assembly that includes. The line drawing is simple but includes the pull ring, valve handle and screen... HE-771 valve assembly drain 610039-3 space HE-769 valve and strainer assembly AN507-1024-R6 screw let me know if any of this interests you. I have time in my schedule to do some hunting. Talking to Sheri at Lasar is kind of fun. Also on this page is two notes for different snubbers for the different fuel gauges for the IO and O360... the gauges themselves are in another area... helpful data for future JPI installs... Best regards, -a-
Bob_Belville Posted October 30, 2016 Report Posted October 30, 2016 Mine was leaking at the shaft and we rebuilt it during the last annual. (1966E) I doubt it cost me $100, parts and labor. LASAR sells a rebuild kit but the o-rings and the special washer are standard parts that any shop will have or can easily get. Where are you stranded? 1
Jim Peace Posted October 30, 2016 Author Report Posted October 30, 2016 46 minutes ago, Bob_Belville said: Where are you stranded? Plane is at Caldwell NJ CDW
Jim Peace Posted October 30, 2016 Author Report Posted October 30, 2016 not stranded...it is at its summer home base,,,,,trying to get it fixed ASAP to bring to Florida for the winter. The temps here in NJ have been unseasonable colder than normal.
Bob_Belville Posted October 30, 2016 Report Posted October 30, 2016 Jim, we are all very surprised that the shop is insisting that you need a new assembly. If I were in your place I would insist they talk to DMax or LASAR. You can do that as well.Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Jim Peace Posted October 30, 2016 Author Report Posted October 30, 2016 I am still waiting to find out if they are 100% insisting.....I sent an email and waiting for a reply.......it is a very old fuel selector and I want to do the safest repair as possible. I trust this shop and the mechanics.
DXB Posted October 30, 2016 Report Posted October 30, 2016 Annoying situation -you might consider calling Dave Mathieson at AirMods in Robbinsville NJ - they're pretty resourceful with old Mooney parts in my experience and might have a reasonable solution. A lot closer to you than Maxwell or LASAR, and on your way to Florida. Good luck.
gsxrpilot Posted October 30, 2016 Report Posted October 30, 2016 Mine was 52 years old when Maxwell charged me $400 to completely repair and refurbish it. It worked like new after.
Jim Peace Posted October 30, 2016 Author Report Posted October 30, 2016 41 minutes ago, gsxrpilot said: Mine was 52 years old when Maxwell charged me $400 to completely repair and refurbish it. It worked like new after. Thanks for that info
Jim Peace Posted October 31, 2016 Author Report Posted October 31, 2016 great news...My MSC found that my selector is able to be overhauled at LASAR with FAA paperwork, and they have a 1 day turn around. This will save me a ton of money that is really needed elsewhere in my life right now. I hope I can to a test flight this weekend......... Thanks all !!!!! 3
Jerry Pressley Posted November 1, 2016 Report Posted November 1, 2016 if you haven't found one and Don doesn't have time to do it I probably have an extra around here. jerry P 423 231 3491
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