REFLECTOR: FUEL FEED

[Ron Brown]

Anybody looked at the fuel and vent systems on a Cessna 172.  My  1977 172 had fuel lines running between the two wing tanks, the right tank was vented to the left tank, the left tank vented to a tube pointed forward under the wing.  There are fuel lines routed between each tank, then each tank feeds to lines that encircle both doors, then finally join at the selector valve between the pilot and copilot under the floor.

Apparently we aren't the only ones who have had fuel feed problems. And their tanks are 4 feet above the selector valve.  (Oh and by the way, leave a cap loose on a C172, and the fuel will depart quickly - I had 10 gallons leave in a matter of about 10 minutes.  The leaking tank was full, the other tank was half full.  The low pressure on top of the wing drew fuel from the good tank into the leaking tank.)  

I understand that old Cessnas really had a bear of a time when they had separate vents for each tank.  

So keep those caps sealed and watch your fuel gauges!!!  If a tank empties too quickly, it is time to get on the ground and get them equalized or refill them if you can't do it in the air.

Ronnie
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