Not only do I shut the valve off, I let the engine run till it runs out of gas. This does 2 things: No gas is left in the carb; not a big deal with avgas but could be with mogas and it pretty much assures that I will not try to take off with the valve off.
Back in about 1975 my plane was wrecked because someone tried to take off with the valve closed. Apparently it had just enough fuel in the carb to get him to the point of no return on that runway. Tommy N93929 ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Roy Stubbs Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 8:59 AM To: 'Ed Burkhead'; 'pilotmac818'; 'ety' Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] Siphoning of header tank fuel I think it good practice to shut off the header tank fuel valve after ever flight, and like Ed, it is on my checklist. Even so I have forgotten to turn on, but you don't get far into your run up..... Roy From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ed Burkhead Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 9:48 AM To: 'pilotmac818'; ety Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] Siphoning of header tank fuel Agreed. It should not be possible for it to siphon back to the wing tanks. Check under the engine area for dye stains (if you had avgas in the plane). I've had one tank leak empty through the carb. Some people have this as a chronic problem if they don't shut the header tank fuel valve under the instrument panel right in front of the pilot. If you decide to just shut off the fuel valve, be ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY SURE YOU TURN THAT VALVE ON DURING PREFLIGHT. I had it listed in two places on my preflight checklist (which I used slowly and carefully every time) even though I didn't shut off that fuel valve. I recommend actually fixing the problem. Actual mechanical experts will tell you what needs to be addressed in the carb or other potential leak locations. Ed
