Fuel Contamination - Cessna 182S Pilot Operating Handbook

SECTION 8
HANDLING, SERVICE
&
MAINTENANCE
FUEL CONTAMINATION
CESSNA
MODEL 182S
Fuel contamination is usually the result of foreign material
present in the fuel system, and may consist of water, rust, sand, dirt,
microbes or bacterial growth . In addition, additives that are not
compatible with fue l or fue l system components can cause the fuel
to become contaminated.
Before each flight and after each refueling, use a clear sampler
cup and drain at least a cupful of fuel from each fuel tank drain
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location and from the fuel strainer quick drain valve to determine if
contaminants are present, and to ensure the airplane has been
fueled with the proper grade of fuel.
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If contamination is detected, drain all fuel drain points again,
including the fuel selector drain valve, and then gently rock the
wings and lower the tail to the ground to move any additional
contaminants to the sampling points. Take repeated samples from
all fuel drain pOints until all contamination has been removed.
If,
after repeated sampling, evidence of contamination still exists, the
airplane should not be flown . Tanks should be drained and system
purged by qualified maintenance personnel. All evidence of
contamination must be removed before further flight. If the airplane
has been serviced with the improper fuel grade, defuel completely
and refuel with the correct grade. Do not fly the airplane with
contaminated or unapproved fuel.
In addition, Owners/Operators who are not acquainted with a
particu lar fixed base operator should be assured that the fuel supply
has been checked for contamination and is properly filtered before
allowing the airplane to be serviced. Fuel tanks should be kept full
between flights, provided weight and balance considerations will
permit, to reduce the possibility of water condensing on the walls of
partially fi lled tanks.
To further reduce the possibility of contaminated fuel, routine
maintenance of the fuel system should be performed in accordance
with the airplane Maintenance Manual. Only the proper fuel, as
recommended in this handbook, should be used, and fuel additives
should not be used unless approved by Cessna and the Federal
Aviation Administration.
8-20 Nov 15/00