Fuel Strainer Mod

Job completed. All "B" nuts snugged and verified dry, ready for cowling.

Rotorway-Rework

If you are not familiar with the craft you will need to use a bore scope and look into the tank bottom for a large area washer on the strainer. If you do not have the washer the strainer may pop out if stress by the fuel pickup line. The additional washer prevents this from happening.

To remove the "B" nut on the fuel line use a #8 AN wrench and a 5/8" in combination to loosen. The strainer and "B" nut are Aluminum and damage easily, be cautious. A "B" nuts should never be super tight!

The bulkhead jam nut is a #10 and is also Aluminum. This picture shows the two washer system used by this upgrade. The original strainer should pull straight down and out. Usually the rubber gasket/grommet swells with age and may have to be pulled out with a scribe or hook tool. If the gasket tears apart make sure all pieces are accounted for.

The new champher-less strainer and smaller area washer can be fed into the tank through the filler neck. Loosely knot the washer so it can easily be untied when in place. Run the string through the strainer and out one of its upper holes.

The idea is to lower first the washer then the strainer through the filler neck. If you tied it correctly the washer will lay flat, untie and pass the string through the center of the washer. Next step is to allow the strainer to slide down the string and feed through the washer.

Once you have the strainer and washer in place slide the gasket/grommet flush with the internal tank washer. The gasket should also be centered in the large tank hole. With the gasket firmly against the inside washer push the assembly up until flush with the bottom of the plastic tank. Place the second, larger, washer flush against the tank.

Holding everything in place screw the bulkhead jam nut up to the washer snug against the tank bottom. Secure the strainer with a 5/8" wrench and tighten the jam nut with the #10 AN wrench. Remember that these parts are Aluminum and are easily stripped.

The picture shows what it should look like if done correctly. No gasket pinched outside the tank. Remember snug not super tight. I suggest some light oil on the threads of all Aluminum fittings especially new ones. It prevents galling.

This is the finished job. One important item before cowling up is to check for leaks! I suggest no more than a few gallons. If it leaks there would be less to drain out. Do not forget to make a log book entry.

Tools :

#8 AN Wrench

#10 AN Wrench

5/8" Combination Wrench

Scribe or Hook

On the left is an original strainer with a champher. If not installed properly they have pulled out allowing a massive fuel loss! On the right is a new style strainer with the champher removed. The new system uses two area washers, one inside the tank the other externally. The gasket is now sqeezed between the two washers sealing the fitting. The washer inside the tank prevents it pulling through. It is still

possible to have a leak in this area but not a total, immediate loss of fuel.

If you have a lathe you can save approximately $80 by removing the champher on your original strainer. Always use new gaskets. The washers provided by RWI are Aluminum and correctly sized for this application. Order washers and gasket/grommets from RWI.