Fuel leaking out around the fuel selector

[markazzarito]

I finished a two hour flight today and noticed fuel around the fuel selector it was damp and not alot but definitely there.. wondering what could be causing this 

[N201MKTurbo]

  On 4/9/2025 at 7:01 AM, markazzarito said:

I finished a two hour flight today and noticed fuel around the fuel selector it was damp and not alot but definitely there.. wondering what could be causing this 

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Where around the fuel selector?

 

[Ragsf15e]

  On 4/9/2025 at 7:01 AM, markazzarito said:

I finished a two hour flight today and noticed fuel around the fuel selector it was damp and not alot but definitely there.. wondering what could be causing this 

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That would be an interesting place… are you sure it’s not coming in from the sidewall to your left?  There’s a more common place there.  You gotta remove the carpet and maybe the seat and look.

[markazzarito]

  On 4/9/2025 at 10:35 AM, N201MKTurbo said:

Where around the fuel selector?

 

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Its damp with fuel right where the fuel selector is in my plane its a concave area with a left tank tight tank and off selectors 

[markazzarito]

  On 4/9/2025 at 2:19 PM, Ragsf15e said:

That would be an interesting place… are you sure it’s not coming in from the sidewall to your left?  There’s a more common place there.  You gotta remove the carpet and maybe the seat and look.

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Interesting ok i only noticed in the concave circular area where the fuel selector is I’ll remove the carpet and panels and check further…

[PT20J]

  On 4/9/2025 at 3:49 PM, markazzarito said:

Interesting ok i only noticed in the concave circular area where the fuel selector is I’ll remove the carpet and panels and check further…

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Sounds like it could be the o-ring around the shaft on the selector. 

[N201MKTurbo]

Just turn your selector to off when not flying until you get it fixed.

[Jim Peace]

had that years ago....I think LASAR has some sort of kit or did the overhaul on it....

[Echo]

My fuel selector is pretty stiff to move between left and right.  What does this mean/remedy?

[hammdo]

Maxwells or Lasar can rebuild those. Mine was the o-rings crumbled and made it as hard as a brick to turn. The leak I had was the area with the pull ring - Maxwells solved that with a Curtis fuel sump…

You can try some 3 in one oil on the shaft or maybe Tri-Flow and work it but, usually that still means it’s due for rebuild…

-Don

[EricJ]

  On 4/9/2025 at 8:44 PM, Echo said:

My fuel selector is pretty stiff to move between left and right.  What does this mean/remedy?

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Might need a new o-ring or something, but probably needs some attention.   You might try dropping a little light oil in it, which often helps.

[Echo]

  On 4/9/2025 at 10:10 PM, EricJ said:

Might need a new o-ring or something, but probably needs some attention.   You might try dropping a little light oil in it, which often helps.

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what is the process for this?  Take out handle?  Sorry, not familiar with process of "droppin' in the oil".  Thanks for reply.

[Kelpro999]

It’s the selector shaft o-ring and position o-rings, fuel level is above the selector. Hardest part is the confined space with hard piping to it. Also requires draining tanks.

[Hank]

  On 4/9/2025 at 11:47 PM, Echo said:

what is the process for this?  Take out handle?  Sorry, not familiar with process of "droppin' in the oil".  Thanks for reply.

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Pull the ring up and hold; squeeze in 1-2 drops of oil; relax and let ring fall down. Pull and release several times to move the oil down the shaft to the o-rings.

It may be time to replace them.

[Echo]

  On 4/10/2025 at 1:01 AM, Hank said:

Pull the ring up and hold; squeeze in 1-2 drops of oil; relax and let ring fall down. Pull and release several times to move the oil down the shaft to the o-rings.

It may be time to replace them.

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Ahhhh.  O.K.  Thanks Hank.  I will give that a try.  Scott

[Echo]

  On 4/10/2025 at 12:31 AM, Kelpro999 said:

It’s the selector shaft o-ring and position o-rings, fuel level is above the selector. Hardest part is the confined space with hard piping to it. Also requires draining tanks.

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It's stiff, but not locked up.  I will try hitting it with some tri-flow first before undertaking major surgery.

[EricJ]

  On 4/9/2025 at 11:47 PM, Echo said:

what is the process for this?  Take out handle?  Sorry, not familiar with process of "droppin' in the oil".  Thanks for reply.

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No, just drip some oil around the shaft.

[Kelpro999]

  On 4/10/2025 at 2:15 AM, Echo said:

  On 4/10/2025 at 12:31 AM, Kelpro999 said:

 

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It's stiff, but not locked up.  I will try hitting it with some tri-flow first before undertaking major surgery.

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 My comment was to the original question. 
 In your case some oil like others suggest will help. Also if you have the original H&E valve without a pull ring , there’s a drain tube directly down out of the selector valve. It has a check ball in it that can be used like a sump drain for the valve collector. I use a wooden stick as the usual fuel sample tool is too short.

[47U]

  On 4/10/2025 at 7:28 PM, Kelpro999 said:

I use a wooden stick as the usual fuel sample tool is too short.

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I made an extension out of some 1/4” tube and a short length of hinge pin, JB Weld to hold it together.  

Then I discovered that the GATS jar probe is long enough to drain fuel from the selector valve sump.

[Kelpro999]

  On 4/10/2025 at 8:06 PM, 47U said:

Then I discovered that the GATS jar probe is long enough to drain fuel from the selector valve sump.

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That’s good information but I would miss my favorite screwdriver