oil getting into the fuel?

[Rick]

Same as Dan - I sump all three points before each flight. There is nothing blocking access to my gascolator drain (or on any of the three DA40's I have flown). Both wing drains and the gascolator have the same push-to-drain-type valve on them.

[Rich]

Is the gascolator as easy to access as the one of the wings on your plane?
Mine have a deflector that is blocking my little tool to drain.

Using a tester like this should present no problem:
https://www.amazon.com/Aviall-Aircraft- ... 0476&psc=1

I do see other testers with a wider cup that might be impeded by that fairing.

[astaib]

Don't you have this "aerodynamic cover" on the gascolator?

Arnaud.

[Rich]

Don't you have this "aerodynamic cover" on the gascolator?

Capture.JPG

Arnaud.

Yes, but its positioning doesn't present a problem.

[astaib]

OK, I will double check on mine then!
I'm surprised because I go under the plane minimum 2 times a month to clean the belly

[Rick]

The gascolator should sit far enough 'behind' the metal cover that you can access it from below. If your cover is blocking access to the gascolator, you may need to loosen all the screws and slide it farther forward to uncover the drain value. As I recall, there is some give in the positioning of the large metal cover panel...

Also, as Rich noted, you probably need to be using the slim-style fuel tester and not one of the fat jar-type testers, if you are not already.

[astaib]

I have a slim fuel tester already.

My plate is not in metal but in carbon/fiberglass painted in white.

I will investigate next time

Thank you.

[ahmebane]

Hi all,

Question: do you drain the gascolator everytime you fly? I drain both wings but never the gascolator, is it a mistake?
If you drain it often, can you tell me how you do it clean? Because the tool that I use to drain the wings and collect the avgas is not fitting for the gascolator.

Thanks.

Arnaud.

Yes, I drain the gascolator every time. Tts the low point in the fuel system & is where you will most likely see issues.

[ahmebane]

Is the gascolator as easy to access as the one of the wings on your plane?
Mine have a deflector that is blocking my little tool to drain.

Yes, very easy to access on my plane.

[Rick]

Ahhhhh... I see now that you have a 2001 model! Apparently things have changed a bit since then... Still, since it IS the lowest point in the fuel system, you need to be able to sump it before every flight, so Diamond should have designed it so that you have easy access.