Oil Quick Drain Question

[bagarre]

My motor has a quick drain plug on the sump but I have no documentation for it. (of course)

It's the type that you push up until it clicks in order to drain the oil and then pull it down to close it.

Do I need some approval (STC?) to have this installed?

Right now, there is no hose attached so its a little bit of a trick to use. I have to reach up under the cowling with a hose and push it onto the nubb before it clicks and oil pours down my arm. Should I have the oil hose already attached to the quick drain and secured to the airplane somehow?

How do others have this set up?

thanks.
-David

[HA]

my plane has one of these, has for at least 30 yrs and nothing in the logs that I could ever find. I'm fine with that, it's a drain plug. I'm sure that some would advise an STC for CYA.

I have about a 12" long hose on it permanently, it's kind of a stiff one that probably came with the drain and I trimmed it so it wouldn't rub on the cowl. I stick another 12" length of hose on the end when I drain oil so I can direct it to a bucket.

The big thing with these drains is to frequently inspect it for leakage, and clean or replace the seal/o-ring (if available) or more likely the drain assy if it starts to show leakage. You don't want it letting go in flight.

[n3833v]

I also can't find paperwork. I use heater hose when I drain only then with the hose. Don't need any thing extra to worry about.
John

[GAHorn]

It is considered bad form to leave the hose attached. (There have been incidents on some airplanes
on which the hose has become engaged with structure and activated the drain....and a leaking or
activated drain may direct oil overboard instead of demonstrating a leak.)
I prefer the SAF-AIR type, which requires one to push/twist...to lock open...and snaps shut securely. This allows the use of easily removable flexible, clear, vinyl tubing from Arynas Home Depot.

[marathonrunner]

I am clearly with you on this one George. There have been incidents with the just push up style failing in flight or having the hose engage the drain. The push and twist are legal and the way to go.

[170C]

My O-3OOB has one of the push up & twist quick drains that George & others mention. It has a black rubber hose attached which just barely extends beyond the cowling. I always drop the lower cowling to do an oil/filter change anyway, but the hose has been on the plane since I purchased it in 1989 and have had no issues with the hose to date.

[marathonrunner]

A long gone but not forgotten mechanic and mentor once commented to me about some subject long forgotten

"See, it just goes to show you, you can do the same thing wrong for years and call it experience"

Love that line. I think he used another word than thing but same message.