Gas cap 'gaskets'

[Jon B.]

Here it is; another fuel tank cap question. I performed a search but didn't come up with quite what I needed.

The K-A Champ is getting fuel stains on top of the wings, apparently from gas leaking from both caps. (I have only the two wing tanks.)

Should I buy new caps from the FAA/PMA tractor-supply store or just make new gaskets? It appears that the gaskets on them are just regular red gasket paper; nothig fancy.

Maybe I can simply add another layer, as they don't fit all that snugly any more...

Jon B.

[Dusty]

A gasket cracked on me while flying in marginal weather trying to get from Hagemeister Island to the west coast of AK: if one tank gasket leaks, your fuel will get pumped out of the non-leaking tank into the leaker and over your tailfeathers until you get one dry tank and one that's less than full, at least with my fuel setup (2 interconnected 13-gal tanks with a big "pitot" tube sticking out of a wingroot). It was less than fun, but I made it to the beach and applied much duct tape. My gaskets are now made out of cork, and get _carefully_ inspected often. I believe the cork is 1/8" thick, and comes in sheets.

FYI: vented fuel caps will produce the same results.

[Jon B.]

Dusty:

Does that mean I don't want vented caps? Hmmm... I gotta check the manual to see what it says. I had in my mind that the caps were vented.

Jon B.