Service Bulletin SEB05-4 Fuel Selector Valve Replacement

CBogle · Post by **CBogle** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 1:26 am

I just received a letter from Cessna stateing, "This advisory is to inform you that Service Bulletin SEB05-4 has been issued to announce the availability of a new replacement fuel selector valve. Compliance is recommended; should be accomplished whenever an existing fuel selector valve requires replacement or sooner, if desired."

I have a 48 Cessna 170. Can anyone shed additional light on this SB? I can't find any on-line source that describes the SB in more detail, the background, which Cessna's it applies to, etc.

Thanks,

Curt

Post by **Bruce Fenstermacher** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 1:44 am

Curt

While I'm not an authority what I gather is that the old valves where no longer available. For some reason Cessna decided they needed to develop a new valve to replace the old one.

We first heard of this some time back here on the forum as Cessna was looking for someone to allow them to install their new valve in their 170 for R&d purposes.

Obviously they have completed their work and now have a new valve available to us if we need it.

What does the SB mean to you and me. Probably nothing unless we need to replace our valve. I have the newer type and I suspect with replacement of the o-rings the valve will last another 50 years.

Your '48 probably has the older style valve which I believe relies on a tight tolerance fit to work and may be more susceptible to wearing out. You can tell by looking at your valve which one you have. If yours looks like the body is cast it's the old style. If it's a machined block it's the newer style.

Post by **GAHorn** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:44 pm

There were two different early fuel valves (and they were also installed in different locations.) PN 0511122 and 0511160. Which valves are replaced according to the service bulletin? Can you print the SB in it's entirety here?

David Sbur · Post by **David Sbur** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:52 pm

The Cessna 120-140 bunch has got wind of this also, but the Service Bulletin is rather vague. Funny the 170 bunch should get the same letter when the valves for yours and our birds are incredibly different. This should be entertaining. If anyone has some actual useful information on this please drop me a note as I have been trying unsuccessfully to get some approval work done for our 'smaller' birds with no luck at all.

N2865C · Post by **N2865C** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:29 pm

I don't have the parts catalogs in front of me, but I think that the early 170's used the same Imperial valve that 120/140's used.

thammer · Post by **thammer** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:20 am

I got two of the owner advisory letters so far for my 140's. The letter doesn't say anything other than "Please contact a Cessna Single Engine service station for detailed information and arrange to have it accomplished on your airplane." Total lack of details. gotta find out who my service center is and see if they will give me a copy of the SB.

Tye

David Sbur · Post by **David Sbur** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 6:47 pm

Kit for fuel selector valve replacement

140's serial numbers 14005-15199
140As serial numbers 15200-15724 $4063.00

170's serial numbers 18000-18573 $3441.00

170's serial numbers 18574-18729 $4644.00

170A serial numbers 18730-20266 and model 170B serial numbers 20267-20285 $5063.00

Many pages I copied from local Cessna dealer, many diagrams, some special adapters, etc. No word on who makes the valve.

Compliance is recommended: should be accomplished whenever an existing fuel selector valve requires replacement or sooner if desired

russfarris · Post by **russfarris** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 6:52 am

four to five THOUSAND DOLLARS for a new fuel selector? That is unbelieveable, even in this day and age. What "improvement" does it have over the OEM part?

I'm speechless...Russ Farris

rudymantel · Post by **rudymantel** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:41 am

Truly astounding costs for a fuel selector valve. They must be selling them to NASA- makes the $600 toilet seat look like a bargain!
Rudy

N2865C · Post by **N2865C** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 3:33 pm

It is especially astounding considering you can get a new Weatherhead valve, a direct bolt in replacement for the Imperial, for under $20.00! Not FAA approved, but they are good enough for Burt Rutan's planes and are used on many experimental's. There are a lot of 120/140's out there with Weatherhead valves. I had a "very good friend" with a Weatherhead valve in his 120

. More information than you ever wanted to know about the Imperial and Weatherhead valves at the 120/140 site. http://www.cessna120-140.org/forum/file ... ug__05.pdf