Fuel Selector Valve

[French]

I may end up with a blank cover plate for the valve, and have larger placards made for the valve positions (like dog tags) and just rivet them to the floorboards. Maybe color code the "OFF" in red, just so there's no mistake. The other issue I ran into was my mounting tabs for the gascolator location. The tabs are welded to one of the diagonals. I used Bob's product which is real nice. I mounted it so the flow is East/West, but the mounting screws on top are North/South, so the diagonal tube cuts across the top, real close to the thread mounting holes. I had to grind down a bolt, into a screw (coarse thread I think), so I could thread it in. More planning up front could have prevented it. But, it all fits, seems to be downhill into the gascolator, we'll see.

[tf104]

I also mounted my valve rotated 180 degrees. I chucked my face plate in a lathe using soft jaws and removed lettering. I plan on labeling using decals on my painted floor.

[interstate al]

I received my SPRL several weeks ago and the quality is excellent. I've been in machining my whole life and the quality is what I would expect out of our shop. I did notice that the valve is dated 5.10.2012 so apparently it had been sitting on the shelf for some time prior to Spruce receiving it?

[whee]

interstate al, The few ports I can see in your valve look good. Can't see the threads in the return ports very well but they appear to be good as well. I would be happy if I'd received your valve.

Here are some low quality pics from my first valve (2012 manufacture date). The second valve (2013 manufacture) had the same burrs left all over it but the threads are slightly better and it operates smoothly. I see yours is a V3 and mine is a V4. Perhaps they are made on a different mill or by a different machinist. Neither valve I received would have passed QC at my previous place of employment; since I'm currently self employed they obviously didn't pass inspection by my current QC department either.

Untitled by Jon Whee, on Flickr

Untitled by Jon Whee, on Flickr

Untitled by Jon Whee, on Flickr

Untitled by Jon Whee, on Flickr

[interstate al]

Wow! I can see why you sent it back, I would have did the same! Someone in QC was sleeping on the job for sure!
Excuse my ignorance, but what is the difference between the V3 and V4?

[lsa140]

I'm surprised that went out the door. The outside looks great, but whats going on inside those ports is critical.

[whee]

The difference between the V3 and V4 is the return ports. The V4 has larger ports that are 1/4 NPT. The V3 return ports are 1/8 NPT.

[whee]

The only minor issue with the SPRL is that the outlet is on the front.

That means that condensing water, collecting in the fuel system overnight, would pool at the selector valve. If there were a downhill angle, it would be flowing through to the gascolator when the fuel selector is set to both during pre-flight.

I couldn't solve that problem, short of installing the valve back-to-front. Therefore I rely on the tanks catching any water which might collect in the system. That, plus running the engine long enough to clear any water before take-off.

BUT - I have fuel injection, which can cope with water in the fuel system. But I understand water can block a carburetor completely.... so that might be a more dangerous situation? I can't say...

Battson, How cold does it get in NZ? Have you ever experienced a frozen valve? Last weekend my valve was stuck when I tried to turn the fuel on prior to test running the engine. My first thought was it was frozen but I was sure that couldn't be the case. Yesterday the valve was stuck again when I tried to turn on the fuel. I'm not sure what else it could be other than a frozen valve.

[jaredyates]

Once you were able to get it open, did it have any water in the system? It would have to be alot to seize the valve, enough that you'd find it I'd think. I've only ever drained one drop of water out of a fuel tank in our Bearhawk in over 350 hours, and never any down low in the system. I'd be far more suspicious of an internal flaw, especially since it is a new installation.

[whee]

I have not yet purchased a fuel tester so I can’t check my sumps. This valve has always operated smoothly. The only thing that has changed is the temperature. Once it breaks free if operates smoothly in all positions. However, the first valve I purchased I returned because it did not operate smoothly so I returned it. Because of this I have not ruled out a manufacturing flaw.

[Archer39J]

I have this same valve, curious as to the cause and solution.

[jaredyates]

Perhaps a bit of debris has washed down from upstream? If there is a gascolator or filter there might be more clues in it.

[whee]

Debris is possible. We flushed the system with 5 gallons a fuel a few months ago but it’s possible something was sill in there. I can’t imagine what debris could occur upstream of the valve that could jam it though. I’ll pull the gascolator and check it.

[Battson]

Battson, How cold does it get in NZ? Have you ever experienced a frozen valve? Last weekend my valve was stuck when I tried to turn the fuel on prior to test running the engine. My first thought was it was frozen but I was sure that couldn't be the case. Yesterday the valve was stuck again when I tried to turn on the fuel. I'm not sure what else it could be other than a frozen valve.

The only time I have EVER taken a drop of water out in the last 650 hrs is when we went upside-down in the river.

whee swarf or other debris jamming the valve seems more likely, I had tonnes of swarf in the fuel system at first run, despite taking all practicable steps to keep it out during the build.

I guess there could be a small drop of water sitting in the lower valve bearing. How did you clear the fault, did you simply warm it up a few degrees?

[whee]

The only time I have EVER taken a drop of water out in the last 650 hrs is when we went upside-down in the river.

whee swarf or other debris jamming the valve seems more likely, I had tonnes of swarf in the fuel system at first run, despite taking all practicable steps to keep it out during the build.

I guess there could be a small drop of water sitting in the lower valve bearing. How did you clear the fault, did you simply warm it up a few degrees?

I agree that water seems unlikely but it is possible. Debris is also possible so Ill be sure to check the gascolator.

When I found the valve was stuck my mind instantly recalled your post about the possibility of the valve trapping water which instantly frustrated me. It had been a long day with many issues associated with the cold weather. Since I’m not a fan of this valve and would happily replace it with something else if I had a reason I grabbed the handle with both hands and twisted it. Fortunately (or unfortunately, I’m not sure) it broke free and operated smoothly. Same story the second time.

I still might replace the valve because I can’t get the pos to stop leaking at the fittings.

[Battson]

I agree that water seems unlikely but it is possible. Debris is also possible so Ill be sure to check the gascolator.

When I found the valve was stuck my mind instantly recalled your post about the possibility of the valve trapping water which instantly frustrated me. It had been a long day with many issues associated with the cold weather. Since I’m not a fan of this valve and would happily replace it with something else if I had a reason I grabbed the handle with both hands and twisted it. Fortunately (or unfortunately, I’m not sure) it broke free and operated smoothly. Same story the second time.

I still might replace the valve because I can’t get the pos to stop leaking at the fittings.

Mine has always operated smoothly at low temperatures down to about -10*C, never been below that (guessing temps inside the cabin). I guess because it's made of aluminium and steel, it might bind up eventually from thermal contraction.

It sounds like you've overpowered the value to get it working, which builds weight into the swarf theory. I found very little swarf in my gascolator, most of the swarf was trapped in my fuel filter.

[whee]

Thanks for the thoughts. I was just curious if Battson had ever experienced a frozen valve.

I don’t have a filter, just a gascolator with a fine screen. There was very little debris in the gascolator after flushing the fuel system but it certainly is possible that there is something in there. Though I imagine debris large enough to jam the valve it would have damaged the seals when I forced it open. The fuel system currently open down stream of the valve and it isn’t leaking at all.

This valve has always operated smoothly but has been in the off position since before the temperatures turned cold. After freeing it on Saturday it worked smoothly the rest of the day. Monday morning it was stuck again but I forced it open after which it worked smoothly. I think it is ice, the valve is the low point in my system.

Next time the valve is stuck I’ll apply heat to it and then I guess we will know. I’ll also check the gascolator and sump the drains.

[whee]

Outside air temps were pretty warm this week so each time went to the airport it was above freezing and the valve turn fine. Yesterday it stayed below freezing and when I got to the airport I checked the valve and it was stuck. A few minutes with a heat gun and the valve worked as normal. I pulled the gascolator bowl found a few specs of debris and specs of water frozen in the bowl.



All those droplets you see are ice.