<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
         <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
         <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

A warning about the Andair gascolator:

I have the Andair Gascolator with the 3/8 in. lines in my 360. A little over a week ago, I was pressurizing my fuel lines for the first time in preparation for first engine start. Fuel leaked from the gascolator bowl o-ring seal. Andair's specs says the gascolator is good to 500 psi. I had taken the bowl off only once to inspect before safety-wiring it. By the way, the o-ring looks fine, but it does feel a little hard.

I should easy to get a new o-ring, right. WRONG! ACS and Lancair do not stock this o-ring. It is not a standard AS568A dash number o-ring. I think it is metric. I sent an email to Andair asking what size it is and where they suggest I should go to get one. One week has passed and still no answer! It's difficult to measure an o-ring and get an exact size, but I think it is a 2.0 mm x 38.5 mm size. I did a Google search and started calling around to find a supplier. Most places have $100 to $150 minimums. None of the suppliers had any in stock. I finally found one that would order some for me, but I had to order $30 worth of the o-rings, and it is taking 2 weeks to get them.

If you have an Andair gascolator, you may want to consider looking into getting a couple o-rings so you have them on hand when your o-ring starts leaking -- it will someday -- or you could be grounded for several weeks waiting for delivery of a $2 o-ring. If you try to get it from Andair, it may be months.

After I get my o-rings and have determined that they fit, I will have some that I will be willing to sell at my cost. I'll send a post to the list in 2 to 3 weeks with details.

Mike Reinath
360 Std. Build at 99%
First engine start postponed 3 weeks +

LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.