Once I forgot to close the fuel shut-off valve up underneath the instrument panel in my Ercoupe 415D with the aircraft sitting in the hangar, and all of the fuel drained out. An adjacent hangar owner smelled the strong fuel odor and called me about it. Since then I have posted a sign on the hangar door reminding me to be sure to shut off the fuel before exiting.
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Harry L. Francis Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2010 12:43 PM To: Glenn Putnam Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Pacemaker has Turbo Function Glen, It is possible IF the header tank has not been changed from the standpipe outlet installed in one series of Coupes. See ercoupe Memorandum 43. Harry Francis _____ From: Glenn Putnam <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Sat, April 24, 2010 8:02:20 AM Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Pacemaker has Turbo Function IT IS PHYSICALLY impossible for the header tank to drain back to the wing tanks as both the in line from the pump and the drain line to the tanks are several inches from the bottom of the tank Glenn On Apr 22, 2010, at 5:23 PM, bbart...@aol. <mailto:[email protected]> com wrote: When I let mine sit for a while, the fuel from the header tank s-l-o-w-l-y drains back down in to the wing tanks. Also, I have to turn the fuel selector under the instrument panel off to keep the fuel from leaking out of the carburetor but you can see and smell that type of fuel leakage. But I agree, a completely dry header would give you quite a start. Best to fill the header before you fly next, whenever that may be, and take it around the pattern a few times, land and check header tank fuel level to see if it is being replentished from the wing tanks.
