Fuel Selector Valve Stuck

[Haydon]

I have searched the "Forum" without success. I have a 49 C-170A sr# 18886. My fuel selector valve p/n 0413020-3 is stuck or very hard to turn. It is stuck on "both." The valve was installed new in 1998 and stuck for ?? I have owned the plane for approximately a year and my first annual is here. The logs indicate the valve was replaced twice in 1998. Is it possible to rebuild, re-lube or replace with another approved fuel selector valve (different p/n) Any advice will be much appreciated.

Thanx...

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Haydon
By the part number you gave you have the early fuel valve. You can confirm this by just looking at it. The main body of the valve is cast. The later valve main body is machined out of a block of aluminum.

I've never had one of the old stye valves apart but they can be disassembled and there is 1 packing part #0413020-4 at the top the seals the shaft that you turn.
As I said I've never seen one so I'm guessing the valve probably works by having some sort of barrel that you turn by the shaft. This barrel is probably a close tolerance fit inside the valve body. I would disassemble it and clean the parts. Probably some junk build up in there which is causing it to bind up.

I just did a search at http://www.cessnaparts.com and here is what I came up with.

Your valve part number 041320-3 has been superseded by part # 9851085-1 and now cost $516.35. The packing for your valve 041320-4 has been superseded by 38481. They didn't list a price or availability.

If you decide you want to replace it altogether the best bet would be to get the later valve 0513120-5 This currently lists for $899.30 If you go that route you may also have to replace the shaft assembly that turns the valve. There are 2 of these listed depending on the serial number of your aircraft 0511157-8 or 0511157-14. Of course your serial number wouldn't fall under either of those so it would be a guess. Now as far as legality goes replacing the old style with the new I don't know. Talk to your IA.

The easiest and cheapest by far unless your valve is damaged in some way would be to remove, clean and reassemble your current valve.

And one more thing there is a special lube called fuel lube which is not effected by fuel. This is what you would want to use to lube the valve. It is very expensive to buy the whole can given you'll only need a small dab. Hopefully a friendly mechanic will have some you could "borrow".

Perhaps someone who actually has worked on one of these valves will post more.

[Haydon]

Bruce, Thank You for such a fast reply. I was thinking/hoping along a similar course of action... clean and lube the valve...however, if that is not possible...... I will give your thoughts on replacement serious consideration. I just hope that my wife really understands how good she will look in my 170 on Valentine's Day.....instead of that "red lingerie."

[170C]

Hayden, I have a '56 172 (same valve as in later model 170's) & from time to time my valve gets hard to switch from tank to tank, etc. I was told quite some time ago to get some of the fuel lube and it would likely fix the problem. So far I haven't done so. Bruce had some good ideas regarding disassembly, cleaning & lubing. You might give Johnny Williams a call there in San Angelo. He has been familiar with 170's for many yrs, has a salvage operation and might have some suggestions or if necessary, parts. I am not at home now so don't have access to my C170 directory, but Johnny lives out West of SA on a private community strip.

[N170BP]

On the one hand, it's way cheaper to rebuild it (like $15 in
parts/supplies as I recall). On the other hand, you will
NOT like the job of pulling the !@#$%^ thing out of there
to facilitate the rebuild.... It will be just as much "fun"
if not more so to get it back in there and get all the fittings
properly seated / torqued.

Sometimes I think Cessna started with the fuel selector
valve (and possibly the rudder return springs), and built
the rest of the airplane around those components.

[N1277D]

A little MM oil in the fuel sure lubes those fuel valves, even helps the primer action too.

[GAHorn]

Johnny Williams is at Ducote Airpark, just west of SJT. 915-944-8558 He advertises in our directory every year in support of TIC170A. He's a member.
The fuel lube is known as "Parker Fuel Lube" and it is indeed not cheap, and you only need a "dab". Spruce used to sell it, but lately they've started handling similar stuff called EZ Turn Lubricant designed for fuel valves. Instead of having to purchase an entire 1-pound can of fuel lubricant for $19...they will sell EZ Turn in 5-ounce containers for only $19.
Best bet: talk to your local mechanic and ask him to let you dip your finger in his jar of fuel lube.

[zero.one.victor]

................................
Sometimes I think Cessna started with the fuel selector
valve (and possibly the rudder return springs), and built
the rest of the airplane around those components.

I did some research & found some photos of the Cessna assembly line in Wichita, circa 1954. You're right,Bela, they had a shot of a pair of springs & a little valve mounted inside the "tunnel" just starting out on it's slow journey thru the factory...........

Eric

[GAHorn]

Eric, ...you've GOT to use a smiley when you do that or you'll get some anal guy , no names just now, actually attempt to find such a website pic.
Seriously, This has been discussed/cussed before but the subject still intrigues: When I park my airplane anytime at a strange field where I intend to leave it out of my sight....and every time I put it in a hangar....I always turn my fuel valve off. I do it for safety/security reasons. A stuck carb float will send 40 gallons of gasoline thru a hangar. An open fuel valve will allow any unfamiliar fool to easily attempt to steal the airplane. (It's even fooled a few owners. Again,....no names please.)
At the very least it keeps the valve operational. I do not subscribe to the theory that it places unnecessary wear on the valves. I believe it keeps seals pliable, and if the selector fails due to actual use....then it will be timely caught/corrected.
My Cessna 206 (and almost all other fuel injected airplanes) use selectors that are utilized virtually every flight and they have no higher failure rate than our 170's. I'd be willing to risk a keg of beer that their failure rates are MUCH LESS than those valves that owners are fearful of operating.

[Haydon]

Shame on me Johnny Williams is my neighbor.....a couple of "doors" down the runway.... I sure hope Johnny has some of that "lube." Cuz, when I asked for it at "Walgreen's" , They told me to leave the store...... After that episode, I am sure not going to call Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for any "lube."

Thank You All,

Richard Haydon

[doug8082a]

Eric, ...you've GOT to use a smiley when you do that or you'll get some anal guy , no names just now, actually attempt to find such a website pic.

Hey Eric, it worked!

[Metal Master]

Eric, ...you've GOT to use a smiley when you do that or you'll get some anal guy , no names just now, actually attempt to find such a website pic.

Hey Eric, it worked!

There really are some real anal guy's out there!

Oh well one to many shots -O-scotch.

Jim

[David Sbur]

If you guys can keep me in the loop as far as any repairs to that valve I'd appreciate it. We here in the Int'l Cessna 120-140 Club have a lot of frustration on our fuel selectors with not many legal options available to us. I've heard lots of homebrew remedies on getting valves servicable again but am open to all suggestions. We are aware of the 'fuel lube' price and availability. My own experience is that when I started to use a little more mogas my valve started acting up. I know the valve isn't identical to ours but there are similarities. CessnaParts lists the $500+ valve as a replacement for ours too but I haven't the faintest idea how it would work.

Pop over to the http://www.cessna120-140.org site and search for 'fuel selector' or 'valve' and you'll get an earful.

Dave Sbur/Vancouver WA
sbur@hei.net

[zero.one.victor]

Another victory for glorious car gas & mystery oil
( don't forget to do the hokey-pokey & chant your mantra! )

Eric

[HA]

my brother-in-law used car gas in my aerochine for a few months, and within the year I was busy rebuilding all the valves/seals/etc. I hate the stuff, but that's my problem so you don't need to chime in

reasons why the valve will get stiff (same for Cubs, Cherokees, all Cessnas, you name it) - corrosion inside the valve, stiff o-rings from fuel / additives / old age, or metal transfer from no lube (gas is a poor lubricant to sliding metal surfaces).