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Thread: fuel cap chain?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Dan L's Avatar
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    Default fuel cap chain?

    I've dropped one of my fuel caps from the top of the wing and came close a time or two more while re-fueling. A lot of planes have a chain that keeps the cap tethered to the filler neck to prevent this. Thinking Cub Crafters might have this as a spare part I called Vera who checked and called me back saying that they didn't offer a chain like this.

    Does anyone know of a source? The cap has a small hole on its underside for a clip to attach like other caps I'm familiar with. What is needed is the chain and the part that snaps inside of the filler neck and a small clip.

    DSCN2168.jpg

    Here's an example of a Cessna tank and cap with a chain.
    Last edited by Dan L; 12-29-2011 at 06:55 AM. Reason: added image
    Flying Carbon Cub EX #11 since 2011

  2. #2
    Senior Member Dan L's Avatar
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    Default Re: fuel cap chain?

    Not finding anything that seemed suitable I made what I was looking for from a piece of 1/2" dia. PTFE with a hole drilled in it and a piece of what is called sash chain. The length of the chain keeps the plastic just off of the bottom of the tank. The parts are attached to each other using .032" safety wire. The caps are made with a convenient tab with a hole in them.

    DSCN2171.jpg

    DSCN2172.jpg
    Flying Carbon Cub EX #11 since 2011

  3. #3
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    Default Re: fuel cap chain?

    I fly a 180 Cub on 31 ABW, Aerocet floats & 2500 Hyd Wheel/skis. Remote fuelings are a way of life. Your solution was the answer. Not expensive and simple. Thanks Ron Smith

  4. #4
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    Default Re: fuel cap chain?

    does this fuel tank cap venting system have some sort of filter screen in the tube? and does this system add some positive pressure inside the fuel tank? here is the dum question, has any of yall had something hit and get lodged on/in the vent which closed up the vent tube? thanks....

  5. #5
    Administrator Pete D's Avatar
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    Default Re: fuel cap chain?

    No screen in the tube. It is roughly 1/4" It would take something pretty large to plug the hole.

    It does add a slight positive pressure in the tank. How much I don't know.

    Pete D.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: fuel cap chain?

    thanks..... so the main reason for it facing forward is to create this positive pressure(forced venting)?

  7. #7
    Administrator Pete D's Avatar
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    Default Re: fuel cap chain?

    Yes. If it were back wards you have potential of siphoning fuel out.

    Pete

  8. #8
    Member reileyr's Avatar
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    Default Re: fuel cap chain?

    More likely that a strike is a mud dauber (wasp) entering the vent tube while the plane is parked or hangered. They love places like this. One fix is to drill a hole through the end of the tube and install a cotter pin to prevent entry.

    BTW, if this same type of fuel vent cap is installed backwards on a J-3 wing tank, little or no fuel will flow into the front main tank during flight. The engine will empty the main nose tank and run out of fuel even though there is plenty of fuel in the wing tank. I absolutely refuse to fly in any plane with the vent cap pointed backwards.

    Maybe CC could mail out wing tank placards showing vent tubes facing forwards.
    Last edited by reileyr; 02-22-2012 at 03:18 PM.

  9. #9
    Administrator Pete D's Avatar
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    Default Re: fuel cap chain?

    I believe that there is info on fuel cap orientation in the POH.

    Pete D.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Ben Redman's Avatar
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    Default Re: fuel cap chain?

    Some (not many) manufactures do point the vents aft.

    07-562_586.jpg
    Ben Redman, GM
    RARE Aircraft Ltd
    www.rareaircraft.com
    ben@rareaircraft.com
    507-331-8446

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