The airplane fuel system (see figure 7-5) consists of two vented integral fuel tanks (one in each wing), a four-position selector valve, fuel strainer, manual primer, engine-driven fuel pump, electric auxiliary fuel pump and carburetor. Refer to figure 7-6 for fuel quantity data for the system.

Fuel flows by gravity from the two integral wing tanks to a four- position selector valve, labeled BOTH, RIGHT, LEFT, and OFF. With the selector valve in either the BOTH: RIGHT, or LEFT position, fuel flows through a strainer to the engine-driven fuel pump, and from the pump to the carburetor. When the auxiliary fuel pump is operating, it draws fuel from a tee located between the strainer and the engine-driven fuel pump, and delivers it to the carburetor. From the carburetor, mixed fuel and air flows to the cylinders through intake manifold tubes. The manual primer draws its fuel from the fuel strainer and injects it into the engine intake ports.

The airplane may be serviced to a reduced fuel capacity to permit heavier cabin loadings by filling each fuel tank to the bottom edge of the fuel filler collar, thus giving a reduced fuel load of 24.0 gallons in each tank (22 gallons usable in all flight conditions).

Fuel system venting is essential to system operation. Blockage of the system will result in decreasing fuel flow and eventual engine stoppage. Venting is accomplished by an interconnecting line from the right fuel tank to the left tank. The left fuel tank is vented overboard through a vent line, equipped with a check valve, which protrudes from the bottom surface of the left wing near the wing strut. The right fuel tank filler cap is also vented.

Fuel quantity is measured by two float-type fuel quantity transmitters (one in each tank) and indicated by two electrically-operated fuel quantity indicators on the left side of the instrument panel. The fuel quantity indicators are calibrated in gallons (lower scale) and pounds (upper scale). An empty tank is indicated by a red line and the letter E. When an indicator shows an empty tank, approximately 2 gallons remain in a tank as unusable fuel. The indicators cannot be relied upon for accurate readings during skids, slips, or unusual attitudes. If both indicator pointers should rapidly move to a zero reading, check the cylinder head temperature gage for operation. If these gages are not indicating, an electrical malfunction has occurred.

The auxiliary fuel pump switch is located on the left side of the switch and control panel and is a rocker-type switch. It is labeled AUX FUEL PUMP. When the pump is operating, it will maintain fuel pressure to the carburetor. It should be used whenever the indicated fuel pressure falls below 0.5 PSI, but is not required when gravity flow and/or the engine- driven fuel pump can maintain indicated pressures above 0.5 PSI.

The fuel selector valve should be in the BOTH position for takeoff, climb, descent, landing, and maneuvers that involve prolonged slips or skids. Operation from either LEFT or RIGHT tank is reserved for level cruising flight only.

Unusable fuel is at a minimum due to the design of the fuel system. However, with 1/4 tank or less, prolonged uncoor dinated flight such as slips or skids can uncover the fuel tank outlets, causing fuel starvation and engine stoppage. Therefore, with low fuel reserves, do not allowthe airplane to remain in uncoordinated flight for periods in excess of 30 seconds NOTE

When the fuel selector valve handle is in the BOTH position in cruising flight, unequal fuel flow from each tank may occur if the wings are not maintained exactly level. Resulting wing heaviness can be alleviated gradu ally by turning the selector valve handle to the tank in the "heavy" wing. NOTE

It is not practical to measure the time required to consume all of the fuel in one tank, and, after switching to the opposite tank, expect an equal duration from the remain ing fuel. The airspace in both fuel tanks is interconnected by a vent line and, therefore, some sloshing of fuel between tanks can be expected when the tanks are nearly full and the wings are not level.

The fuel system is equipped with drain valves to provide a means for the examination of fuel in the system for contamination and grade. The system should be examined before the first flight of every day and after each refueling, by using the sampler cup provided to drain fuel from the wing tank sumps and selector valve, and by utilizing the fuel strainer drain under an access panel on the right side of the engine cowling. The fuel tanks should be filled after each flight to prevent condensation.