On 4/24/2010 10:50 AM, Donald wrote: > Now, I FINALLY understand the system. > In case anyone else is still pondering this, I've attached a drawing that should clarify things. The normal fuel level in the tank is to the green line. Fuel from the pump comes in from the higher (left) of the two fittings, so, should the line from the pump rupture or burn through, fuel will not siphon back to feed the fire. Fuel from the overflow fitting (right) goes back to the wing tanks only when the level exceeds the normal level. Fuel to the engine feeds from the bottom of the tank (not shown).
In order for fuel to get back to the wings and leave the level anything less than the normal level, there would have to be a break in the fitting, say near the bend of the elbow, in which case fuel could leak back, but only to the level of the break. Note too that a leak on the pump fitting should not have any effect as there are 2 check valves in the pump, both of which would have to fail in order for fuel to make it back to the wings. As Ed mentioned, there are some tanks, Ternplate, I think, that have a compression fitting in the bottom through which a tube passes. This tube is supposed to extend up to near the top of the tank and form the stand pipe. These tubes are known to break and cause fuel to leak back to the wings. My original statement that fuel cannot leak back to the wings presumes nothing is broken, or, as I said, if it happens, something is wrong. HTH -- John Cooper Skyport East www.skyportservices.net
