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Spent 45 minutes chasing a fuel leak on a Cessna 172 until a line guy at Addison pointed at the sump drain
I had the cowling off twice and was sure it was the carb bowl gasket. Turned out the quick drain had a slow seep that only showed up cold, and I never saw it because I always checked right after a runup when everything was warm and dry. Now I put a paper towel under the drain and walk away for 10 minutes. That trick has saved me more time than any torque chart. What is your go to move for finding a leak you can't see?
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the_anthony14h ago
What made you trust the paper towel trick the first time? I used to think quick drains were either fine or dumping fuel, no in between, so I never bothered looking at them on a slow seep. Then I chased a mystery stain for a week that turned out to be exactly what you described, cold only. Now I do the same thing, towel under it, go get a coffee, come back. Changed my mind on ignoring the small stuff.
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