Yourpilotincommand Posted May 8, 2020 Report Posted May 8, 2020 New Mooney owner,, first time poster. I bought a 66 E model in January. After sumping the fuel tanks for water/debris, I then pull the ring on the floor next to the fuel switch to drain each side for a few seconds. I then look under the aircraft and noticed only a few drops on the floor, i would expect much more like how a 172 takes a piss. Sometimes I see nothing come out at all. Could the drain Or gascolator be clogged? Should my mechanic have checked this during annual inspection? Should I be concerned and ground it till I get this figured out? I wonder if a bug climbed up in the drain hole, or something much worse. Perhaps I can try to stick a piece of wire up into the drain hole? Thanks! Quote
ShuRugal Posted May 8, 2020 Report Posted May 8, 2020 I don't know if this applies to all, but my gascolator drain is sneaky. The ring lifts about half an inch without opening the valve, then another quarter inch is needed at a much heavier spring tension.Feels like shooting a DA/SA pistol on SA, lots of takeup in the trigger, then a short firm pull to go. Quote
RobertGary1 Posted May 8, 2020 Report Posted May 8, 2020 During annual the collator should come apart to check the internal screen. These don’t drain near the volume of a 172 but if you hold it for a few seconds (maybe 3-5) it should leave a noticeable stain on the ground. -Robert Quote
RLCarter Posted May 8, 2020 Report Posted May 8, 2020 Welcome aboard!!! Like mentioned above, it’s a fairly heavy pull. After a recent issue with mine leaking fuel after pulling I now drain it from outside while watching using a hook made from a SS welding rod through the storm window. I wouldn’t use a wire to clear the drain as you could damage the plunger, if it’s obstructed use something like a ty wrap. We have a wasp down here (mud dauber) that plays hell on small openings Quote
Brian E. Posted May 8, 2020 Report Posted May 8, 2020 1 hour ago, RLCarter said: Welcome aboard!!! Like mentioned above, it’s a fairly heavy pull. After a recent issue with mine leaking fuel after pulling I now drain it from outside while watching using a hook made from a SS welding rod through the storm window. I wouldn’t use a wire to clear the drain as you could damage the plunger, if it’s obstructed use something like a ty wrap. We have a wasp down here (mud dauber) that plays hell on small openings Rather than a pitot cover you need a gascolator cover or sock I say that in jest but am thankful that I don't have that problem. Quote
Janat83 Posted May 8, 2020 Report Posted May 8, 2020 Try to pull harder and see if that changes anything, poh says you have to do it for 5 seconds on each side, it's definitely doesn't piss like c172 Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk Quote
Yourpilotincommand Posted May 8, 2020 Author Report Posted May 8, 2020 I just had to pull harder and that was all. Thanks guys! 1 Quote
carusoam Posted May 8, 2020 Report Posted May 8, 2020 16 minutes ago, Yourpilotincommand said: I just had to pull harder and that was all. Thanks guys! Welcome aboard, YPIC... Something you should seriously consider... Mooneys are pretty complex aircraft with several systems that are similar to training aircraft... just more complex... There is a training available for new Mooney pilots that is often recommended... First time you pull the drain.... usually, you want to see what comes out of it... they make plastic containers for this... a good stainless one can work too... As far as poking things up the drain goes... it helps to know how it is constructed and what it takes to rip the rubber seal out of it... when the seal falls off.... it makes your day very long... PIC, You might want to keep all of your questions in one thread... You are hitting on some basic flying 101 kind of issues.... you are going to be here for a while... Use the search function... Look up transition training TT... As a PIC... you are going to want to know more about your plane... It will be much better to learn this stuff from somebody that knows about the inner workings of a Mooney, than try to figure them out on your own... I am sending you a friendly caution flag... Stalls and go-arounds are not things you want to figure out on your own, either.... These are two things that are slightly more important than the two questions you have posed already... They all should have been covered Already by TT... Keep asking questions! Want a reference to a good Mooney CFI? PP thoughts only, not a CFI... Best regards, -a- Quote
RobertGary1 Posted May 8, 2020 Report Posted May 8, 2020 Agreed you don’t want to damage that little seal in there or you’ll be aog. -Robert Quote
Guest Posted May 8, 2020 Report Posted May 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Yourpilotincommand said: I just had to pull harder and that was all. Thanks guys! Welcome to Mooneyspace and Mooney ownership. Much is written on the pages concerning fuel selector valves and strainers. Mooney service bulletin M20-200 is an important one that your maintainer should be aware of. Mooney puts all bulletins and letters on their website for all to use. You or your maintainer should review them to see how they affect your airplane. Also be sure your maintainer has a manual for your plane. Look in the downloads section above and you may find it, if not other kind folks here are known to share. Clarence Quote
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