I'm looking ahead to relocating the fuel vent from over the cabin to behind the left strut per AD90-21-08. The AD refers to Service Kit SK180-6 which seems to no longer be available. Have any of you done the mod recently and where did you find the parts?

The service kit consists of a hose, a later style vent tube, a couple clamps, a couple grommets, and a small doubler for where you make a hole in a bulkhead. All the parts (except maybe the doubler) are available through ying ling. Better yet, if you have the SK-6 paperwork you can determine everything you need to aquire on your own (much cheaper) then if you want to look 100% factory just buy a late model vent tube from wentworth or the likes.

You can shoot me a PM if you need a copy of the paperwork.

I assume you are doing a left side bladder and therefore complying with the AD. If not, you will be, because you need to have a new 'nipple' in the left bladder if you currently have the overhead vent. If you don't get near ice, IMHO, this is probably one of those things best left till you have to pull the left bladder....

Take care, Rob

Anyone know why the 170 does not have a similar AD since it has the same overhead vent?

I still see 180s with the overhead vent. Hmm guess they are still running the original bladders.

Once you do have the wing vent ya gotta be careful how you park at places like Big Creek. Park so the vent is on the uphill side.

wannabe wrote:Anyone know why the 170 does not have a similar AD since it has the same overhead vent?

I still see 180s with the overhead vent. Hmm guess they are still running the original bladders.

Once you do have the wing vent ya gotta be careful how you park at places like Big Creek. Park so the vent is on the uphill side.

I wonder the same... but even if the vent ices over, you should still draw fuel as the caps should be vented too... If the wings are iced enough to seal the caps, and the vent tube is iced, fuel flow is probably the last of your worries.... Perhaps with the O-470, cap vents alone do not allow the required fuel flow. I know on some O-360 cubs the venting must be addressed due to this very reason.

The AD only applies to the left side, and it is entirely possible to have at least one bladder older than the AD, but I haven't seen too many planes with the required placard in place if you haven't moved the vent...

No matter.... sooner or later they will all be venting under the wing

Ditto on all of what Rob said sept he forgot about the check valve. I got my fuel vent tube off an old 58 or 59 182 beater (wrecked) for a little labor other wise Cessna wants about $200 plus for it. Got the bladder from these guys for $800 cash and they gave me the check valve Goes inside (bladder) @ the vent side. Although read the install instructions real close. They call for making a hole into the rib/bulkhead for the vent nipple (thinking it was) 1.25" radius and it should read 1.25" diameter. There was another miss print or incorrect instruction but I forget what it was
http://www.aerotech.co/manufacturingrepairs.html

Thanks for the good advice. I think there is supposed to be a check ball in the old vent that may be missing, so maybe I can find another check ball and put off the vent mod a while longer.
I had a '55 180 a number of years ago that I got into ice, and the vent did ice over and the left bladder collapsed. Fortunately the engine kept running long enough to get it on the ground, but it wasn't a pretty sight. Staying out of icing is a must with the old vent!

Skywagon pilot wrote:Thanks for the good advice. I think there is supposed to be a check ball in the old vent that may be missing, so maybe I can find another check ball and put off the vent mod a while longer.
I had a '55 180 a number of years ago that I got into ice, and the vent did ice over and the left bladder collapsed. Fortunately the engine kept running long enough to get it on the ground, but it wasn't a pretty sight. Staying out of icing is a must with the old vent!

If that's all you're missing and that's what is causing a leak I'd just replace that ball. The check valve in the new bladder is in the bladder and goes in from the inside about 2" of it sticks out of the nipple and connects to the new vent tube. I couldn't tell you the diameter (of the check ball in old vent) as mine is in a land fill now. Mine were original bags and the front corner close to the pilot door would leak when full.