The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I have been using TCP with excellent results since the 80 went away, but I'm still trying to find a good way to dispense it. The expensive syringe self destructs after a month or 2 even if I clean it after every use. Their new plastic squeeze bottle is so poorly designed I often feel like it must be a trick and I'm on candid camera when I try to use it. There must be a better way as well as a safe way to carry it in the plane. Has anyone come up with a better system?

I'm curious why your syringe self destructs? I had the same syringe for 6 years with no problems.

doug8082a wrote:I'm curious why your syringe self destructs? I had the same syringe for 6 years with no problems.

Mine is at least 10 years old and still in good shape. I have never rinsed/cleaned it, but I do keep it in the the plastic container it came in.

A very good question.
My TCP syringe plunger seal(s) give it up after only a few months of use also. I have tried rigging up various other syringe-like arrangements but all have been less than satisfactory. I ended up using the dispensing bottle provided and keep it in a double zip lock bag while handing and ALWAYS use a funnel. Granted it still gets interesting when the wind is blowing. The REAL trick is trying to re-fill the depensing bottle if you have a gallon can supply of TCP. Can be done but not well and then I can only get it about half full. One thing yet to be tried is a nalgene lab fluid dispenser....problem there is that it is not marked in oz or ml so you'd have to come up with a marker that TCP won't remove.
In general a big pain in neck but then a stuck valve would be as well.

doug8082a wrote:I'm curious why your syringe self destructs? I had the same syringe for 6 years with no problems.

The bottom of the plunger breaks off inside the tube and is impossible to remove. I don't really clean it, I just remove the plunger from the tube as per the instructions on the can and wipe it off. I think an aluminum fuel bottle like the type used for backpacking stoves might be a good way to transport it in the plane. I remember reading an accident report where a fire was started on-board by a leaking TCP container.

Question for "bentley",

Is TCP supposed to help keep valves from sticking?

I carry calibrated (oz) baby food jars, better to just pour it in.

I bought some "Stabil", emptied the bottle, and refilled with TCP. The Stabil container has a neat little 1-2 ounce side container which is filled when you squeeze the main container. It's worked for me for nearly 3 years now.

When I talked Mike Hundere (CEO of Alcor) into using plastic, measured squeeze bottles, I told him I used the Stabil bottle. He contracted for the plastic bottle they now use. It's better than the metal can/syringe, but the bottle is not as useful as the long-necked Stabil bottle. (The Stabil bottle has a longer calibrated neck which facilitates the process very nicely, because it allows you to get the long-neck into the filler neck before the liquid pours out into the breeze and blows away.)
The Stabil bottle also has two caps...one for the calibrated dispenser tube, and one for the main body, which allows one to refill it from the gallon metal cans.
I carry it in a heavy-duty, freezer zip-lock bag. But first I loosen the main cap, then squeeze out excess air, and tighten the cap so that the bottle is slightly collapsed, to make room for expansion while airborne. I also store it so that it will be right-side up and be less likely to spill even if those measures should fail.
I use the Stabil in my boat, tractor, lawn mower, generator, etc etc.

N2865C wrote:

doug8082a wrote:I'm curious why your syringe self destructs? I had the same syringe for 6 years with no problems.

The bottom of the plunger breaks off inside the tube and is impossible to remove. I don't really clean it, I just remove the plunger from the tube as per the instructions on the can and wipe it off. I think an aluminum fuel bottle like the type used for backpacking stoves might be a good way to transport it in the plane. I remember reading an accident report where a fire was started on-board by a leaking TCP container.

Strange... never had that happen. FWIW I never stored my with the plunger in the tube. I always stored them as two pieces and inserted the plunger prior to use. Don't know if that made a difference.

Thanks for the tip about using the Stabil bottle.

My plunger broke just a few weeks ago and I've been using the new plastic "squeeze" bottle, but have not been impressed.

Yep. Stabil makes several sized bottles. The one I was describing is probably a 16 oz (1 pt) size, ... but maybe as much as 32 oz (1 qt.) (I've forgotten)

MOGAS FOREVER!!!!!

Everyone else's mileage seems to vary, but about 11-12 years ago I got tired of messing with TCP, and just started leaning aggressively (in the air AND on the ground ). Even on a steady diet of 100LL, I only occasionally have to do a short full-power run-up to clear a lower plug, but it isn't a chronic problem. Since going to this operating technique, I've never had to clean the plugs outside the normal maintenance interval. The only stuck valves I ever had turned out to be due to carbon rather than lead, and that went away when I quit using mogas. As I said earlier, YMMV.

Miles

Miles, Are you doing your aggressive leaning with the help of gauges or are you using the the by ear method? When I questioned my engine builder on this topic, he said to use only 100 LL and lean it on the ground and in the air as you are. Can you detail your " aggressive" leaning techniques. Do you have the original mixture control? Thanks, Mark