Where is My Gear Fluid Dipstick??

tomcomet · #1 11-07-17, 08:53 PM

I spend over 30 minutes searching for my gear oil dipstick and filler. I had the understanding that is was under a small access plate right side by the feet of right seat. There is a hatch there and yes, it opens up with screws revealing hydraulic fittings and the side of the resevior cylinder but no dipstick or filler to be seen.

This is the a 1977 Reims build Skymaster WITH radar pod so my centre console where most folks tell me they have auto pilot and access hatch below is filled with radar screen and such. I am told the dipstick is behind that but how to access???

Here is a photo.

TC

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edasmus · #2 11-07-17, 11:55 PM

On my 1973 C337G, the hydraulic oil dipstick and filler port for the landing gear is located on top of the electric hydraulic power pack. The power pack on my plane is located behind a small access door under the center console which is just above the floor of the aircraft. Looking at your photo, if its located in the same place as mine, the access panel should be underneath your radar display screen. The dipstick is small, maybe 2 inches in length. You can add fluid through the same hole that the dipstick is removed from.

Ed

tomcomet · #3 11-08-17, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edasmus

On my 1973 C337G, the hydraulic oil dipstick and filler port for the landing gear is located on top of the electric hydraulic power pack. The power pack on my plane is located behind a small access door under the center console which is just above the floor of the aircraft. Looking at your photo, if its located in the same place as mine, the access panel should be underneath your radar display screen. The dipstick is small, maybe 2 inches in length. You can add fluid through the same hole that the dipstick is removed from.

Ed

I am pretty sure there is NOT a panel of any kind on that front surface. I wonder if I need to remove the housing around the radar screen. Seems a little extreme...

pilotpat · #4 11-08-17, 07:33 AM

Tom, if able, look down though the gap above the radar unit and below the trim wheel (a light will be needed). At the bottom front roughly in the middle is the top of the dipstick, which on ours is a lever which has to be lifted, then the whole thing pulled straight up (it takes a fair pull). Once out, it has to be cleaned, reinserted, removed, then read. In doing this from the RHS panel opening, you will note that there are multiple pieces of tubing and wiring in the way, and how easy it is to drop the piece into the bowels of the plane. So, if it does not have one already, tie a string to it for retrieval. It may actually be easier the first time to remove the right side pedestal cover (which has the hatch you refer to) where you can then see things a bit better. And no, you can't get at from the front under the radar!

pilotpat · #5 11-08-17, 07:43 AM

This picture should allow some orientation, note the friction lock at the top. The dipstick is behind my shoulder, and the hatch in the panel (removed) is about where the blue hydraulic fittings are. You have to move your hand though the hatch and a bit aft to get to the dipstick. Pat

pilotpat · #6 11-09-17, 05:35 AM

Here's a pic taken looking down through the gap previously mentioned (the "20" is the radar range knob). The brass lever has to be rotated up and the thole thing pulled up and out. There is a hydraulic line to the right exactly in the way; I have to put my thumb under and my fingers over it to be able to reach the level.