Water In Fuel (and lots of it...)

[Stratus337]

Hopefully the attached picture shows up. What you see is the separation of one bucket that came out of the tank (there were 5 more with probably 1/3-1/2 of the bucket "separated"). Avgas is on the top, the dark line is where the water (or whatever it was) separated to the bottom.

This was the right tank and I had the selector properly selected to have the right tank going to the rear engine.

I did 8 hours of flying from California to South Carolina with a fuel stop in ABQ and one in Fayetteville, AR. I sumped the tanks and ran the engine drains each time.

Interestingly, out of California my front engine had some "moments" with fuel flow dropping for short periods of time, but it seemed to run just fine for the last 4-5 hours of flying. The rear engine seemed to run fine.

When I got to SC I did not add any fuel and made arrangements to get the mechanic to immediately deal with the slow leak from the sump drain. It was only when he called me to tell me what he had drained out (have to drain the tank to replace the sump drain) and then had me come look at the buckets that this all came up.

The plane had an annual inspection in November after sitting for about 6-8 months outside (California dessert) and it flew about 6 hours after the annual inspection.

In my mind, I either got some bad gas in Fayetteville that was suspended enough to not cause the engine to quit, or perhaps I had it all the way from California and each time I filled up (right before I flew) it stirred it up and allowed it to be suspended. I did call Fayetteville yesterday and alerted them this may have happened. They called back and said they tested their sumps and other checks and did not see a problem, though I doubt they would admit if they had.

The water (or other separated substance) was very dirty, but we have run some clean fuel through the tank and drained it and the tank appears clean so it had to have been pumped in.

I'm looking for the "ah-ha" moment on this but have not got it yet.

[Red Air Rambo]

Looking at the pic, I'm not having an aha moment either, but if it was water it would be clearer, my guess is you got some of the "bottom of the barrel" at the self service fuel stop. My best guess is rust sediment from old in ground tanks. Hopefully the new fuel will flush it out and you will have no problems.

[JAG]

Paul,

Based on your last refuel in Arkansas, I believe that is where you took on the water. The fuel flow slowing down then completely stopping, tells me the pump filter system became laden with water from the tank, thus shutting down the flow. Also called "no-go" filters, these types of filters are supposed to stop the flow of fuel should they have water get in them. Perhaps it was this type of filter medium, however it did not react as fast (maybe an older filter).

Jeff

[Stratus337]

Jeff,

I think you have to be right. It is just amazing the "substance" seemed to work fine in the engine. I flew yesterday and carefully sumped the tanks multiple times with perfect fuel. No problems so hopefully no problems. Going to keep the plane in a hanger but will watch for water intrusion, but I don't think that was my problem. The fuel drip from the drain turned out to be a blessing that allowed me to catch the bad gas in the tank. Yes, I'll be on the front row at church this morning...