Lockable Fuel Caps M20C?

[Urs_Wildermuth]

Hi all,

 

question: Does anyone have a source for lockable fuel caps for the Mooney M20C?

 

And does anyone know where to find the fuel tank suction covers, which are supposed to stop water to get into the tanks?

 

My fuel caps have been leaking severely, to the point that I had almost 1 pint of water in my tank today... So I will need to replace them and while I am at it, I'd like to get lockable caps in order to make sure that nobody can open the tanks without authorisation.

 

Any sources and ideas are welcome

 

Best regards

Urs

LSZH

[danb35]

If your caps are leaking, you should replace the O-rings.  It's easy and cheap to do, and there's a "mandatory" Mooney SB that requires inspection of the O-rings annually (the AD that incorporates that SB does not require recurring inspection, but it's still a good idea).  There are two per cap, and the small one on the inside is often neglected.  Here's a write-up on how to change them:

http://www.csobeech.com/files/O-RingChange.pdf

...and here's some information about sources, and replacing the factory parts with blue flourosilicone O-rings that look cool and last longer:

http://www.csobeech.com/o-Rings.html

 

As to locking caps, Norm Smith (RIP) had a mod out for the fuel caps to lock them; I'm not sure what happened to his stuff once he died.

[ELT]

Forget the suction type.  I got some and the first time I used them they blew away.  Replace the o rings and sump the fuel good.

[Urs_Wildermuth]

The fuel caps are now being checked but they have been serviced several times and now I still get this. I mean, there was a LOT of water in that tank,not just your normal few drops, about half a gallon I'd say.

 

So there are two possibilities: either they got in there due to faulty caps or they got in there on purpose. For the latter, I am looking to lock the caps, but can't find any lockable caps for our airplanes.

 

The actual covers I was looking for in addition (as locking won't solve the o-ring problem if that is what it is) were these:

 

http://www.staysealed.com/flushcartdisabled.html

 

but they are not made anymore. If anyone has an unused set of them, I'd be very happy to buy them off you.

 

ELT, what suction covers were those? Do you still have them? If so, never mind they did not work for you, I'd be willing to give them a go.

[ELT]

They blew away while on a trip. I only found one and trashed it. Check your fuel supplier too. We had a problem with the FBO tanks at MRH. Also, once I got water from an FBO in Aztec tanks. If you have bladder tanks it is hard to get all the water out.

[DonMuncy]

I have a pair of fuel cap covers once sold by Norm Smith. I have never had to use them for a rainstorm, but I think they would probably keep the cap dry. They are held on by what I call "super velcro". (interlocking plastic material available at Radio Shack) By increasing the size of the hold down area, I think you could make them withstand a high wind. They should be very easy and cheap to duplicate. If you have any interest, I will send you directions on how to make some.  

[Silvertown]

I have them installed and tomorrow I`ll look from which company they are, but if you don`t grease them, there is always some water inside. 

[Silvertown]

Hallo Urs,

I have a mooney m 20 g and I have read a lot of your opinions in puf. I`m from Germany (south of Bavaria) and as I said before, I`ll look tomorrow and inform You.

[Urs_Wildermuth]

Thanks for your replies. Looking out for your answers

 

Don, high winds are not the issue where my plane is parked, they should do fine. Primarily we have had LOTS of rain recently.

 

Silvertown, then we are practically neigbhours We should once meet somewhere with our Mooneys

[Silvertown]

The inside of the cap shows:  Shaw Devices Inc.  Part number 413 and there is such a factory in the web which produces fuel caps. Good Luck.

Till August I am in Sweden and then we can meet. Thanks , i will inform you.

[Urs_Wildermuth]

Hi,

 

perfect. I'll write to them and see what happens.

 

Have fun in Sweden. I will also be away until mid August (from the end of July). But still online here

[rdav]

I had wanted to do something similar, but was looking for a small rubber door mat to do the job. I'm not as concerned with the O-rings leaking, but was worried about the water that pools in the cap and around the perimeter of the cap when the plane is parked outside overnight in rain. I do my best to soak up that water before opening the cap, but thought an inexpensive door mat might prevent water from pooling in the first place.

Just need to find one that is malleable so it doesn't scratch the paint, yet heavy enough that it won't blow off.