Mate, you might’ve saved my life. Definitely my wallet! My training was done on 172’s but a bit over a year ago I was able to purchase a 150. I asked the previous owner many questions including sump locations, needles to say he was unaware and did not mention the underside location. Fast forward to around Nov 2023, I begin to have trouble starting the engine for unknown reasons, all my troubleshooting was to no avail. I stumbled on this video a couple months back, lo and behold, guess what I found on the underbelly? A drain plug! My instructor and I grabbed some tools and when that puppy opened, I think I went completely pale! There was so much sediment and water that came out, I honestly don’t know how the engine was getting fuel at all. So I can honestly say Thank You for posting this. It’s pretty easy to miss it in the POH given how dismal the details were before POH’s were improved. The previous owner, my inspector, and my mechanic had no idea it was there. My annual is coming up and I’m absolutely putting in a quick drain under there!! Thank you again and thank you for the content you put out! Also, it solved the startup issue immediately, go figure.
Hey, I asked my A&P about switching it to a quick sump -I have some questions I’d like to ask you, any way I can contact you somehow or just message here?
Great video! Although as an ex instructor I’m very surprised that all 150 pilots don’t know this. The 4 fuel drain points were taught to our students in the first lesson. This is so important to drain the belly drain regularly!
Well I feel fortunate. My initial training was done in a 152 and apparently neither of my instructors were as competent as I imagined because this is the first mention I've heard of the lower sump. It seems so obviously more critical than even the wing tank sumps that I am baffled that's its not on every pilots checklist. Thank you for this vital information. There's no way to know how many unfortunate situations you are preventing, as the word spreads from viewers to others unaware. Cheers.
Great info! Next time you’re checking one can you take a video of it? I’m sure we’d all love to see a visual of just how much crud can accumulate! Thanks.
Absolutely the BEST practical aviation safety video I’ve seen in a very long time! This is a must see for all Cessna 150 owners/operators and all Cessna’s generally. Sumping is a part of my preflight routine - thanks for sharing this information 👍👍
Studing for PP right now and next walk-around check I will go to my instructor and tell him, hey, you missed this! Thank you! Honest good info. For this matter, more rainy days!
Good lesson. Also we will find water in wing tanks that doesn't get to the lowest sump, especially in the desert when outside and the diurnal temp spread makes a lot of condensation each and every day in summer. May have to move plane a bit to make sure the wing sump is the lowest point in the wing tank. Good job.
That quick drain is an exceptional value. Do note, while easy to install, it is a modification and is STC'd by a firm. And an FAA form 337 must be completed and signed off by an IA, sent to the FAA in Oklahoma city.
I did that quick drain mod years ago. There was quite a bit of crap when I pulled the drain plug. I have never got a drop of water of junk when sumping since. But after overhauling the entire fuel system and the plane being hangar kept, it’s still good insurance.
Thank you for this. I just bought a C150J a month ago. So far, I've spent about 20k to install new avionics etc. I have no idea what's underneath it. It'll be the 1st thing I will check on Monday. ha
I owned a 152 from 1082 to 1989, and that was still the low point in the fuel system. I did drain the tank sumps, then the belly drain, then the gascolator (in that order) on each prefl8ght, especially aftet every refueling. I don't remember if the belly drain was factory installef or if I modified it. BTW, I strongly recommend waiting a while to sump the tank drains after topping off a nearly full tank, as it can take longer than you think for any water to get down through the fuel to reach the sump - guess how I know. Engines don't run well on water!
I am not a pilot , but this make perfect sense to me . That plug is the lowest point of the fuel system . Water is heavier than fuel . It would make perfect sense to me to to drain a bit from the lowest check valve as a pre-flight check .
Thanks for posting this. I got my ticket training on 172, but I own a 150L, and I always wondered why the fuel systems are so different. I'm getting a new quick sump valve installed this week on my belly plug because of this video. Also, I wasn't aware that the gascolator replaced the fuel sump in the engine bay altogether. BTW, I have a fuel shutoff valve that is damn near impossible to turn. Any recommendations other than full replacement? Is it supposed to be absurdly difficult to turn?
@@cessna150pilot6 I just bought a MacFarlane STC replacement valve that is supposed to work better than stock. I’ve also added a STC belly quick sump for the fuel line down below the valve. Hopefully that will drain out the kind of grit that gummed my original valve.
Wow! My 150 is in at annual at the moment. As far as I know, everything you says makes sense. But if it's that prevalent of a problem--why hasn't there been an AD on it? I would think that somebody would have noticed if it was even the 8th or 10th most common reasons that C-150's had in-flight engine failures. Maybe we're all mostly just lucky, and fuel debris is fairly uncommon?
There's a club 172 that I got checked on in within the last year. It has a fourth quick drain down in the belly; I presume from a similar corresponding location. All interesting.
The correct assembly if you currently have just the plug is the Saf-air MT-101. Early models (E and earlier) take the MT-101-1. You may have to request it direct from them on their website, I don't see it online.
@@cessna150pilot6 - You provided some important and useful information in this video and I appreciate it. I’ve owned and flown regularly a 1969 J-model since 2006. In that 17-year period the AN929-6 aluminum cap has never been removed from that tee on the bottom of the fuselage. In fact it was coated in paint from the last time the plane was painted. I went to it this morning to fly for my normal half-hour but first, after I drained fuel from the wing tanks and the gascolator and inspected it (no water found), I removed that cap. I drained an amount of fuel from that tee into a bucket. I then poured it into a clear glass jar so I could inspect it carefully. There were just a few small droplets of water in it. There was a small amount of dirt in the cap itself. I cleaned out the dirt, removed the paint, and replaced the cap. When I got home I called Saf-Air and inquired about the MT-100 drain valve. It is only available directly from them because it includes the necessary STC paperwork and the cost is $40.00 for the kit. I ordered one, it should be here sometime this week. Despite the fact that I didn’t find much when I removed the cap, I’ll feel safer from now on by periodically draining this new valve. Thanks for your efforts!
When I bought my 150 I asked the shop to install the quick drain. They laughed, until they pulled the plug and found the line clogged. There’s a reason Cessna makes this a safety bulletin
It sounds like you put your phone down in a coffee can, or you’ve cupped your hand over the mic-hole … something is messing with this EQ on your voice that sounds unnatural.
Mate, you might’ve saved my life. Definitely my wallet! My training was done on 172’s but a bit over a year ago I was able to purchase a 150. I asked the previous owner many questions including sump locations, needles to say he was unaware and did not mention the underside location. Fast forward to around Nov 2023, I begin to have trouble starting the engine for unknown reasons, all my troubleshooting was to no avail. I stumbled on this video a couple months back, lo and behold, guess what I found on the underbelly? A drain plug! My instructor and I grabbed some tools and when that puppy opened, I think I went completely pale! There was so much sediment and water that came out, I honestly don’t know how the engine was getting fuel at all.
So I can honestly say Thank You for posting this. It’s pretty easy to miss it in the POH given how dismal the details were before POH’s were improved. The previous owner, my inspector, and my mechanic had no idea it was there. My annual is coming up and I’m absolutely putting in a quick drain under there!! Thank you again and thank you for the content you put out!
Also, it solved the startup issue immediately, go figure.
That made my day reading this! Thanks for sharing and it amazes me how many 150's have this issue
Hey, I asked my A&P about switching it to a quick sump -I have some questions I’d like to ask you, any way I can contact you somehow or just message here?
Great video! Although as an ex instructor I’m very surprised that all 150 pilots don’t know this. The 4 fuel drain points were taught to our students in the first lesson. This is so important to drain the belly drain regularly!
Very Interesting and Informative Video Sir 👍👌🧐 Cheers 🍻🍻
That’s where the hangar lawn mower fuel comes from :)
Well I feel fortunate. My initial training was done in a 152 and apparently neither of my instructors were as competent as I imagined because this is the first mention I've heard of the lower sump.
It seems so obviously more critical than even the wing tank sumps that I am baffled that's its not on every pilots checklist.
Thank you for this vital information.
There's no way to know how many unfortunate situations you are preventing, as the word spreads from viewers to others unaware.
Cheers.
Thanks bud!!
Great info! Next time you’re checking one can you take a video of it? I’m sure we’d all love to see a visual of just how much crud can accumulate! Thanks.
Absolutely the BEST practical aviation safety video I’ve seen in a very long time! This is a must see for all Cessna 150 owners/operators and all Cessna’s generally. Sumping is a part of my preflight routine - thanks for sharing this information 👍👍
Glad to hear it is useful!
Studing for PP right now and next walk-around check I will go to my instructor and tell him, hey, you missed this!
Thank you! Honest good info. For this matter, more rainy days!
Good stuff, my son! You have truly missed your calling. Well done!
Thank you kindly!
Thank you for the good advice. I pulled the drain plug and was very surprised how much dirt accumulated after only 230 hours.
Glad it helped! I've been surprised as well
Great Video, I have a 150 with a belly drain and have always checked it with my fuel cup but never thought to much about it until now. Thanks
Good lesson. Also we will find water in wing tanks that doesn't get to the lowest sump, especially in the desert when outside and the diurnal temp spread makes a lot of condensation each and every day in summer. May have to move plane a bit to make sure the wing sump is the lowest point in the wing tank. Good job.
Thank you and your correct
Good video and great headline to get people to watch. Most people do this to get views for their own benefit. Your views are for others. Thanks.
I'm pretty sure a few airplanes are still flying thanks to this.
Beautiful 150
Thank you! Cheers!
That quick drain is an exceptional value. Do note, while easy to install, it is a modification and is STC'd by a firm. And an FAA form 337 must be completed and signed off by an IA, sent to the FAA in Oklahoma city.
Thanking for adding this important information!
Do you happen to know the name of the company that has the STC, or a link or something?
or not.
Good job. There is a very good chance you saved someone’s life.
I can say.....very possible!
Exellent video...this WILL eventually save someones life,airplane or both...thanks
Hope so! Thanks
I did that quick drain mod years ago. There was quite a bit of crap when I pulled the drain plug. I have never got a drop of water of junk when sumping since. But after overhauling the entire fuel system and the plane being hangar kept, it’s still good insurance.
Thank you for this. I just bought a C150J a month ago. So far, I've spent about 20k to install new avionics etc. I have no idea what's underneath it. It'll be the 1st thing I will check on Monday. ha
I owned a 152 from 1082 to 1989, and that was still the low point in the fuel system. I did drain the tank sumps, then the belly drain, then the gascolator (in that order) on each prefl8ght, especially aftet every refueling. I don't remember if the belly drain was factory installef or if I modified it. BTW, I strongly recommend waiting a while to sump the tank drains after topping off a nearly full tank, as it can take longer than you think for any water to get down through the fuel to reach the sump - guess how I know. Engines don't run well on water!
Great information thanks for sharing, I will be checking that for now on.
Great video. Thanks for sharing, I never knew. Checking our 150 asap.
great advice!
Thanks!
I am not a pilot , but this make perfect sense to me . That plug is the lowest point of the fuel system . Water is heavier than fuel . It would make perfect sense to me to to drain a bit from the lowest check valve as a pre-flight check .
I do have a quick drain down below on my 150M but its a lot more work to get/bend down there to check 😮💨
Took all my training in a Cessna 150, never knew of more than the wing drains.
It was same for me!
Thanks!
I found water on a 152 Gascolator Sump 🇮🇱
Hey, could get a try a tri pod. Only rookies use handheld cameras
Thanks for posting this. I got my ticket training on 172, but I own a 150L, and I always wondered why the fuel systems are so different. I'm getting a new quick sump valve installed this week on my belly plug because of this video. Also, I wasn't aware that the gascolator replaced the fuel sump in the engine bay altogether.
BTW, I have a fuel shutoff valve that is damn near impossible to turn. Any recommendations other than full replacement? Is it supposed to be absurdly difficult to turn?
Probably needs overhauled or replaced. They should turn easily. Could be varnish or debris that needs cleaned and some polishing.
@@cessna150pilot6 I just bought a MacFarlane STC replacement valve that is supposed to work better than stock. I’ve also added a STC belly quick sump for the fuel line down below the valve. Hopefully that will drain out the kind of grit that gummed my original valve.
Make this modification NOW worry about the frickin paper work later .
Wow!
My 150 is in at annual at the moment. As far as I know, everything you says makes sense.
But if it's that prevalent of a problem--why hasn't there been an AD on it? I would think that somebody would have noticed if it was even the 8th or 10th most common reasons that C-150's had in-flight engine failures. Maybe we're all mostly just lucky, and fuel debris is fairly uncommon?
There's a club 172 that I got checked on in within the last year. It has a fourth quick drain down in the belly; I presume from a similar corresponding location. All interesting.
Thanks for the info!
Makes me wonder how many crashes occurred do to this.
How do you keep those wings so shiny? My 150 needs to look like that.
Way too much trouble!
Where can I buy the Stc approved belly quick drain plug for the 150 that you show in this video?
I was able to buy the belly drain kit for my Cessna 150 from SAF-AIR Products, Inc.
Sounds like a good thing to do. Is the SAF-AIR CAV-170 drain valve the correct one for this application? It is a 7/16”-20 thread. Thanks.
The correct assembly if you currently have just the plug is the Saf-air MT-101. Early models (E and earlier) take the MT-101-1. You may have to request it direct from them on their website, I don't see it online.
@@cessna150pilot6 - You provided some important and useful information in this video and I appreciate it. I’ve owned and flown regularly a 1969 J-model since 2006. In that 17-year period the AN929-6 aluminum cap has never been removed from that tee on the bottom of the fuselage. In fact it was coated in paint from the last time the plane was painted. I went to it this morning to fly for my normal half-hour but first, after I drained fuel from the wing tanks and the gascolator and inspected it (no water found), I removed that cap. I drained an amount of fuel from that tee into a bucket. I then poured it into a clear glass jar so I could inspect it carefully. There were just a few small droplets of water in it. There was a small amount of dirt in the cap itself. I cleaned out the dirt, removed the paint, and replaced the cap. When I got home I called Saf-Air and inquired about the MT-100 drain valve. It is only available directly from them because it includes the necessary STC paperwork and the cost is $40.00 for the kit. I ordered one, it should be here sometime this week. Despite the fact that I didn’t find much when I removed the cap, I’ll feel safer from now on by periodically draining this new valve. Thanks for your efforts!
Is it possible to modify a 150 with fuel tanks to travel 600 NM ?
Yes, mine can carry enough fuel for 800nm! I will be doing a video on it soon
When I bought my 150 I asked the shop to install the quick drain. They laughed, until they pulled the plug and found the line clogged.
There’s a reason Cessna makes this a safety bulletin
I knew!
SWEET!
like your Flaig and why do you have a pillow in your toolbox?
My pillow is for when i need to get under the panel!
It sounds like you put your phone down in a coffee can, or you’ve cupped your hand over the mic-hole … something is messing with this EQ on your voice that sounds unnatural.
Trying to work out the bugs, without too much time invested ha