by XenosPilot » Thu Jun 16, 2016 6:23 pm
Fuel is 100LL. My first experience was a few weeks ago after flying to a nearby airport to fuel up. I parked facing away from the wind, then talked to a guy on the ramp for 40 mins or so. I noticed my cowl was VERY hot to the touch when I got ready to leave. About 1 minute into my taxi, it started surging really bad, then dying. I thought I got water in my fuel, since I had just fueled up. Eventually, I got to the hold short line, got out, and drained fuel from the gascolator (tank valve shut off). I was surprised how hot the fuel was when it started burning my finger! That was the first time I considered that it might be a heat issue in the fuel line.
Lately however, the outside temp has been higher and it is happening in the air. This is concerning to me, because I am led to believe that it is hot air coming from the engine that is causing the fuel temp to increase and vaporize. If I insulate the fuel line, it may eventually warm up to the same temp, it will just take longer to get there. Once it is there, it will be hard to cool off again. This is not necessarily true, since flowing fuel will cool off the line too.
Stephen Layton
Xenos, Aerovee, Aeroinjector, 100LL, MGL Enigma panel
Prefer motorless flying...soaring!
Hobbs, NM