Dry Gascolator

[davef]

Student Pilot here...any P2010 IO-360-M1A A&P mechanics that can give some input?

My first time doing a precheck on a P2010 and the gascolator was dry so we called off the flight. The CFI had the school chief instructor check another day and got a little out of it. CFI said even when he did his checkout only a little fuel came out.

I asked the CFI if there was a mechanic to ask as this didn't seem normal and thought it could be a possible clogged filter etc and didn't want to be a statistic for something simple.

Thanks everyone.

[Flocker]

Never heard of that one. I'm sure someone will chime in shortly...

[ronin5573]

The fuel comes into the ACS gascolator and then passes through a super fine metal screen. Then travels to the other side and then to the motor. My guess is there is debris at the bottom
stuck in the Curtis drain valve not allowing fuel to pass, or the drain valve has a very slow leak and all the fuel leaked out before you sumped it which would explain why its dry. Very simple to take it apart and check the cup and screen. I do this at least 2 twice a year in my aircraft. The drain valves seem to last about 3-5 years and then they need to be replaced. 

[davef]

Thank you!

I pushed my CFI to ask the Tecnam mechanic

**update - no issue/ know your A/C and as a student with a CFI they should have known.

On the Tecnam the bottom drain like on a Cessna is only a cabin drain if water gets on the floor. Gascolator drain is actually under the engine cowling.

I had no idea and as it was part of my preflight to check I wasn't going to fly until it was figured out.

[nohippychicks]

I don't remember to check these forums often, but I thought I'd chime in here.

If I'm understanding what you're saying correctly, the drain you're talking about that very much looks like a fuel sump is really the water drain for the pitot system. It gets really gummed up with lead and exhaust gunk and can be hard to deal with if it's not often used (and it's not...), but I have never seen any water actually need to drain from there.