VintageBonanza Forum

[Harv]

Well, I finally got my own Bonanza! It's a 59 K-35 with tip tanks and a host of upgrades.
Anyone ever have trouble getting all the fuel out of the main aux tanks? The previous owner had all the fuel selectors rebuilt and they feel like new. However in stedy state cruse, the right aux finishes and sucks air before the left one does. I'm having it looked at next week but was wondering if anyone has had the same problem.

John
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It will always be better to be shot out of a cannon, than to be squeezed out of a tube.

[jzeggert]

The reason you have uneven fuel flow and one tank empties before the other is you have a sticking or partially obstructed check valve on the tank that is not being emptied. They are easily accessed and are easily taken apart and cleaned. Use care during reinstallation as they are marked with an arrow for correct orientation. Really is a very simple thing to accomplish. Hope this helps you. (If it were me I would do both sides to ensure even flow)
John Zeggert
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7 different bonanzas

[Harv]

Thanks so much for your answer. I was noticing that there was a check valve in the system from the POH and was wondering the same thing.

John
_________________
It will always be better to be shot out of a cannon, than to be squeezed out of a tube.

[Harv]

[quote="jzeggert"]you have a sticking or partially obstructed check valve on the tank that is not being emptied. They are easily accessed and are easily taken apart and cleaned.[/quote]

I found the check valves. They are in front of where the wheel would be when the gear is up. In other words, behind the closed gear doors. How do I release the gear doors without doing a gear swing on jacks?

John
_________________
It will always be better to be shot out of a cannon, than to be squeezed out of a tube.

[jzeggert]

John-

Here is what I recommend : First Disconnect battery then
You can gain access to the wheel wells by engaging the handle on the gearbox and partially RAISE the gear. Don't remember how many turns it takes but it isn't too many. this will lower the inner gear doors and ONLY go far enough to allow access. When finished carefully crank the hand crank in opposite direction until it comes to the internal mechanical stops. Reconnect the battery and check for gear down light. During all this do not ever force the crank - if it takes considerable force then something is amiss. It should move easily in both directions. This should help you.

John Zeggert
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7 different bonanzas

[Bryan Wells]

The last time I saw someone begin to crank the gear doors down without the airplane on jacks, they had a huge repair bill because the first thing that happens is the nose gear become unlocked and begins to retract with each turn, beginning with the first turn. I would personally never touch the hand crank without the airplane on jacks! The nose gear begins to retract as the inner gear doors are lowered. The inner gear doors have to lower before the mains can begin their trip up, but at that time the nose gear is just about completed its trip up into the gear well.

[Harv]

Good advise from both! Looks like I might have access to jacks so I'll see where that gets me.

John
_________________
It will always be better to be shot out of a cannon, than to be squeezed out of a tube.