"Okay, you asked for it. So here's a newby question if there ever was one. The
fuel system. I notice when I try to fill the nose tank that it kept bubbling
down when it looked full. I assume it's going into the two wing tanks. Is this
so? And if so, can I just fill the wing tanks by continuing to add fuel to the
nose tank? Also, as the plane burns fuel, the only indicator I have is the
float gauge outside the window. How do I know when the wing tanks are empty? Or
will they burn first and then draw down the nose tank?
So there, you see, a real beginner here with Ercoupes. My apologies for asking
such a basic question but..well hell, I gotta start learning my way around this
little deuce coupe.
Steve"
And here's the answer. The nose tank is never filled except in the case
mentioned of the Alon that was allowed to run dry. Always Fill The Wing Tanks
Only. And just to an inch or so of the top, or the fuel can be sucked out.
Yes, the fuel will run from the nose tank into the main ones. But it is a
L-o-o-o-n-g process. Please use the wing fill ports, and Be Sure you get the
Caps ON RIGHT. Opal and I got a thrill on that one headed to the 2001 Ercoupe
Owners Club meeting in Terrell, Texas.
Your "Float gage outside the windoe" should be on one of the caps to the wing
tank. The "classic" Ercoupe gage is a wire sticking up through the cap on the
nose tank. When the wire starts down, you better also! Is there one on your
Ercoupe?
The way it works is: One fills the wing tanks. The engine-driven pump puts
gas into the nose tank from the wing tanks. There is a restrictor coming out
of the pump into the nose tank. If the restrictor is not there, the pump
overruns what can be burned and the fuel comes out the top of the nose tank =
Very Disconcerting! The unused fuel flows back to the wing tanks from a vent
line that should be near the top of the nose tank. Some systems flow into a
specific tank; others flow into the pipes between the tanks.
In short, a simple system with many variants.
Percy
