Are Fuel drain covers a thing?

[JDBoston]

Admittedly, this question is really not for an RV, but it absolutely applies given that the fuel drains are similar to my Cherokee.

Recently, I’ve had to park my plane outside and for the first time in my whole flying career, something is trying to make nests inside the fuel drains within a week. Both were clogged enough that I had to scrape out the debris. I understand they usually try the fuel vent rather than the drain.

Has anyone ever tried to 3-D print or buy a cover that would go over the fuel drains? It would have to be super colorful so you don’t miss it on preflight

 

[Ironflight]

There are o many variations to the fuel vents (aIl assume you mean vents….) that one siz does not fit all. If it is the standard Van’s vent, built to plans, you can take a piece of fuel hose that fits over the end, put a bolt in the other end, a little safety wire to hold them together, and put a streamer on it. Cheaper and simpler - a piece of pipe cleaner shoved up inside with a streamer on it.

 

[JDBoston]

There are o many variations to the fuel vents (aIl assume you mean vents….) that one siz does not fit all. If it is the standard Van’s vent, built to plans, you can take a piece of fuel hose that fits over the end, put a bolt in the other end, a little safety wire to hold them together, and put a streamer on it. Cheaper and simpler - a piece of pipe cleaner shoved up inside with a streamer on it.

Thanks Paul, believe it or not I actually mean the quick drains where you push up to check for water in the fuel. That is a great tip though on the vents which I understand are the more common problem. For whatever reason these inspects love my drains more.

 

[Ironflight]

Thanks Paul, believe it or not I actually mean the quick drains where you push up to check for water in the fuel. That is a great tip though on the vents which I understand are the more common problem. For whatever reason these inspects love my drains more.

Interesting - never hard of anything crawling up into the quick drains….. something new very day! Will be interested in what you come up with.