Fuel valve selector for M20J

[carusoam]

10 hours ago, N177MC said:

SIX weeks later and still no solution for this fuel selector valve, despite contacting Mooney, Maxwell and LASAR ...    HELP !

We have found fuel valves for late model Conti engined and pre-J model valves as well, BUT NO J Model fuel selector valves and the word on the street that re-build/overhaul is NOT an option.

Just to be sure, here's the photos :

 

 

Is your mechanic able to...

remove, disassemble, clean, and put everything back together?

The typical failure rate for these is tiny.... more like getting dirt in them, then rust or wear....

It is highly likely that clean and lube is the actual solution...

 

Once apart, any oxidation, or wear, or damage will be more visible...

PP thoughts only, not a mechanic...

Best regards,

-a-

[Guest]

1 hour ago, PT20J said:

I haven’t worked on this particular valve, but a lot of these type valves are tapered plug (aka cone) valves. They can be disassembled and the plug and mating surfaces VERY lightly lapped together to make them turn freely. Don’t overdo it or you will make the cone undersized and the ports will be misaligned (yes, I’ve made that mistake). All you want to do is remove the surface toughness that is preventing the valve from turning. Replace any o-rings and lube everything with EZ-Turn (aka Fuel Lube). I would remove it from the airplane and get it up on a bench where you can work on it properly. We had to do this recently with a stuck firewall shutoff fuel valve on our Beaver. 

Any time a metal valve starts getting stiff it’s a good idea to take it apart and lube it. They just get worse until they finally seize up. 

Good luck. 

Skip

Piper has an SB with instructions for repairing their brass plug valves..

Clarence

[larryb]

It is hard to believe it can’t be serviced. In my old Grumman it leaked one day. A couple of standard Orings and lube later and it was good as new. I don’t think it was even removed from the aircraft for the work.

[marcusku]

My fuel selector is leaking, my mechanic found the same thing that they are not supposed to be rebuilt so they don't want to take it apart.  What ended up being the solution for yours?

[Flymu2]

A new one for $1500. That was the only solution for me about 9 years ago.

[PT20J]

Never hurts to get a second opinion. 

[marcusku]

Talked with Lasar and Mooney, looks like the trouble is Airight is currently out of business so it's not possible to get a new one.  It appears the options are to find a used one or find someone willing to take it apart.

[carusoam]

Speaking of used...   @Alan Fox @Jerry Pressley @SheryLoewen

-a-

[PT20J]

Did you try Don Maxwell? He rebuilds a lot of stuff others won't touch.

Skip

[carusoam]

Of all the Maxwells... Paul visits here often...   @Pmaxwell  (OH of fuel selector valves, question)

Best regards,

-a-

 

[carusoam]

Posted earlier today...

-a-

[PT20J]

8 hours ago, carusoam said:

Posted earlier today...

-a-

That looks like a Duke’s valve.

Might also try Kerry at KNR for a rebuild. 

Skip

[marcusku]

Anyone know the part number of the internal o-rings?  The parts catalogue shows some o-rings but those don't appear to be the internal ones.  My A&P was hoping to have those ahead of time if he takes it apart.

[shawnd]

When I had mine replaced, gave Lasar a call. They had them in stock.

[Greg-ABQ]

Mine failed today.  Selector stuck on R tank and will not budge.  '84J model.  Any resolution from this post?  A place to find a new or overhauled one?  Internal O ring part numbers, etc???  Thanks.

[carusoam]

Check with @Alan Fox for a different one...

Or Lasar for an OH of what you have...

PP thoughts only, not a mechanic...

Best regards,

-a-

[A64Pilot]

It may seem silly to some, but semantics are important to the FAA, I’d remove it, disassemble, clean, inspect and repair it, but I wouldn't overhaul or rebuild it. Talking about the  logbook entry.

A few years ago I had the guy who Owns Oregon Aero fly his PC-12 to the plant to drop off seat cushions he had made for the aircraft we manufactured, Probably was on his way to Fl or something and this made it a business trip

‘He said soon after opening his business he had two FAA inspectors come to his house, they were wearing this big ID card around their necks and they way they acted he expected to see guns but didn’t, anyway they were reading him the riot act and telling him about the possible penalties like imprisonment if he didn’t ceases and desist.

‘He thought he was going to lose his business, but after a while he realized that all it was, was that he wasn’t allowed to advertise that he rebuilt seats, he was only allowed to say he repaired seats, what he was doing was irrelevant, it was the wording they were upset about. So after breathing a huge sigh or relief he assured him that he would never say he rebuilt seats anymore, and everyone was happy.

‘There is actually something called fuel lube, it’s a type of grease specifically made for things like fuel valves, I’d use it on reassembly.

Well maybe fuel lube is gone, but this is its replacement I guess.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/ezturnlube.php?clickkey=9406

Edited May 25, 2021 by A64Pilot

[Guest]

22 hours ago, Greg-ABQ said:

Mine failed today.  Selector stuck on R tank and will not budge.  '84J model.  Any resolution from this post?  A place to find a new or overhauled one?  Internal O ring part numbers, etc???  Thanks.

Drain the tanks, remove the valve, disassemble it to see what’s wrong with it.  Then repair it.

Clarence

[Guest]

From EBay, I believe this is what you have in your J model.

 

[N201MKTurbo]

11 hours ago, A64Pilot said:

It may seem silly to some, but semantics are important to the FAA, I’d remove it, disassemble, clean, inspect and repair it, but I wouldn't overhaul or rebuild it. Talking about the  logbook entry.

A few years ago I had the guy who Owns Oregon Aero fly his PC-12 to the plant to drop off seat cushions he had made for the aircraft we manufactured, Probably was on his way to Fl or something and this made it a business trip

‘He said soon after opening his business he had two FAA inspectors come to his house, they were wearing this big ID card around their necks and they way they acted he expected to see guns but didn’t, anyway they were reading him the riot act and telling him about the possible penalties like imprisonment if he didn’t ceases and desist.

‘He thought he was going to lose his business, but after a while he realized that all it was, was that he wasn’t allowed to advertise that he rebuilt seats, he was only allowed to say he repaired seats, what he was doing was irrelevant, it was the wording they were upset about. So after breathing a huge sigh or relief he assured him that he would never say he rebuilt seats anymore, and everyone was happy.

‘There is actually something called fuel lube, it’s a type of grease specifically made for things like fuel valves, I’d use it on reassembly.

Well maybe fuel lube is gone, but this is its replacement I guess.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/ezturnlube.php?clickkey=9406

Don’t use fuel lube on the selector valve. I did it once. The continuous flow of fuel degraded the fuel lube and it turned into this white slimy goo.

[PT20J]

11 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

Don’t use fuel lube on the selector valve. I did it once. The continuous flow of fuel degraded the fuel lube and it turned into this white slimy goo.

That’s weird — lubricating fuel valves is exactly what fuel lube is designed for. 

[N201MKTurbo]

Just now, PT20J said:

That’s weird — lubricating fuel valves is exactly what fuel lube is designed for. 

That was my thought too. That’s why I used it. But it caused more harm than good. I would just lube it with fuel.

[PT20J]

Just now, N201MKTurbo said:

That was my thought too. That’s why I used it. But it caused more harm than good. I would just lube it with fuel.

Might depend on the valve type. I think brass cone valves need some lube or they can gall. Had to lap one on a Beaver at the museum because it froze up solid. Not sure what type of valve Mooney uses. Perhaps @M20Doc has some thoughts.

Skip

[Guest]

Piper has an SB covering brass valve cleaning and lubrication.

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data/760/SB_354B.pdf