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I may not "need" to replace the selector as stated. The selector is hard mounted with no flex on those lines you have shown in the PDF. I have the inspection covers off permanently so I can check the banjos and selector connections for leaks as they have been problematic in the past.
The difference in my installation is the gascolator is attached by one connection through the firewall, flex and vibration including torque from detaching the cup all load those little screws on the inlet side. Those loads are not to the mount or body of the gascolator. Its quite a different setup. If the gascolator mount was firewall mounted so the loads were to the mount, then I agree with you. Perhaps everyone else has done that but I believe my install is the factory suggestion. Add a shroud and some lines and the loads increase.
Since the andair product is not certified I was not able to see it in the SDR database. I don't believe that is a result of zero problems in the past but it could be. However, I still believe a safety wire/ cap screw setup is far easier to secure and inspect than "stagged" or small screws that use a thread locker. For a fuel connection, this is clearly the weakest point in the system from my perspective notwithstanding the selector might be #2.
Paul
On 2013-06-07, at 8:11 AM, "Steve Colwell" <mcmess1919@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Paul,
>
> If the little screws that retain the fuel connectors on your Gascolator are
> unacceptable, you will need to replace your Andair Fuel Selector Valve too.
> Exploded (poor choice of terms) view http://www.andair.co.uk/pix/2520-3.jpg
>
>
> With all the Lancairs flying (and thousands of RV's), most with Andair
> Gascolators and Fuel Valves, yours is the first one I have heard of with
> this problem. Since these fittings are not normally removed for
> maintenance, you may want to consider repairing your Gascolator as Andy
> suggests. I think they make a high quality, low maintenance, well designed
> Gascolator. But like all aircraft components, they should be carefully
> inspected at Annual.
>
> Steve Colwell Legacy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Paul
> Miller
> Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2013 1:44 PM
> To: lml@lancaironline.net
> Subject: [LML] Andair's explanation
>
> LML: Here is the latest explanation of how Andair deals with the locking
> screws on the gascolator connections. I'd like to toss a challenge to the
> group to find a simple solution to this weak link. I would be happy to
> replace the Andair unit with a metal body, cartridge style, fuel filter with
> standard fittings similar in strength to the fuel lines. none of the high
> performance vehicles seem to use the Andair style, they use robust, solid,
> mountable, aluminum bodies with standard fittings. However, I'm certain
> there are issues for bypass, flow, pressure drop and so forth. If someone
> has an alternative that has been reviewed that's the simplest answer. The
> integrity of our fuel lines and fittings disappears once we insert this
> Andair device which is protected only by 2 o-rings and 8 small, non-locking
> screws.
>
> Paul
> Legacy
>
> On 2013-06-05, at 10:51 AM, Andair <andair@andair.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> Dear Paul,
>> When we offered the feature of being able to move the primary
> fitting almost 20 years ago now,( remember this only applies to
> EF20,FF20,FF20-A, FF25and EF25 all other fittings are stagged here in the
> factory) it was considered to be very useful for the builder.It was then up
> to the builder or inspector that was signing off that part of the build to
> establish as to whether the screws had been securly fixed either loctite or
> damaged into the vacant half hole.
>> To "stag" the countersunk screw is a recognised proceedure. We, at
> Andair, cannot loctite the screws in as there is no visual evidence that the
> screw is locked in a position therefore it is damaged to show.
>> The problem comes as I see it when no third person carries out an
> inspection and writes it in the log book that it has been checked. On the
> aircraft I have built where it is considered to be a critical fuction or
> area e.g. engine controls, fuel systems, flight controls etc there is a
> section in the log book that is required to be signed. This may not be
> foolproof but it goes some way to offset these types of problems.
>> Lastly when the aeroplane has been built flown a while and
> then sold on, inspecting everything can be very teadious.
>> I hope you manage to read this and it be of some help.
>>
>> Kind Regards
>> Andy Phillips
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Miller" <pjdm@slx.ca>
>> To: "Andair" <andair@andair.co.uk>
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2013 10:25 AM
>> Subject: Re: gascolator failure
>>
>>
>> I'm looking at a couple of installations here and I can't see any that
> have incorporated the "stagging". I'll ask the other Legacy owner here to
> check his screws and see if they have backed off at all. Thanks for that
> update. It would seem a more certain style of lock is preferable. Your
> banjo fittings on the fuel selector are safety wired. If the countersunk
> screws had cap screws with drilled heads, they could be safety wired in
> place and would never cause this problem. Dumping fuel into the engine area
> must not have a risk. "stagging" does not appear to be a common practice
> or one that works particularly well in this case. Andair might want to
> consider a safety upgrade on the design.
>>
>> Paul Miller
>> On 2013-06-05, at 4:38 AM, "Andair" <andair@andair.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Paul,
>>> When a Gascolator or Fuel Selector is dispatched from the
> factory with female fittings, the fittings are just pushed on the body and a
> screw pack complete with Allen key is supplied in the box.
>>> The reason for this is when the builder wants to position say a 90deg or
> 45 deg fitting it never tightens at the correct angle, so in all other cases
> it is overtightened or is too slack. So, in our case the fitting can be
> taken off and arranged at 90deg increments, thereby establishing the correct
> torque on the fitting. Andair suggest that the fitting then be "stagged"
> (the countersunk screw holding the fitting to the body be damaged to prevent
> the screw "backing out" there is a small half hole in the fitting for that
> purpose) If this function cannot be carried out then Loctite should be used.
>>> Regards
>>> Andy Phillips
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Miller" <pjdm@slx.ca>
>>> To: <andair@andair.co.uk>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 6:03 PM
>>> Subject: gascolator failure
>>>
>>>
>>> we have a failure on this gascolator. removed for a stuck cup, the
> firewall side was missing three screws and about to fail catastrophically.
> Staining evident under the shroud. Missing screws do not appear to be
> locked and remaining screws are loose and not locked either. Photos are at
> :
>>>
>>>
> http://s1284.photobucket.com/user/pjdmiller/library/andair%20gascolator%20fa
> ilure%20Lancair%20Legacy
>>>
>>> Suggest this is a major issue for other aircraft, looking for some
> guidance, probably SDR submission or more. This is an engine fire waiting
> to happen if other units are in the same condition.
>>>
>>> Paul Miller
>>> Florida
>>> N357V=
>>
>
>
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>
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