Kitfox Aircraft Stick and Rudder Stein Air Grove Aircraft TCW Technologies Dynon Avionics AeroLED MGL Avionics Leading Edge Airfoils Desser EarthX Batteries Garmin G3X Touch
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: Oil Tank Door On ROund Cowl

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Caldwell, ID
    Posts
    122

    Question Oil Tank Door On ROund Cowl

    Has anyone cut a door into their round cowl for checking the oil? I've only had my Kitfox 5 for 4 months, and I think it is ridiculous to remove the top cowl every time I need to check the oil.
    Bartman
    Retired USAF
    Kitfox 5
    N617BR

  2. #2
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    3,562

    Default Re: Oil Tank Door On ROund Cowl

    I’ve seen many oil doors in round cowls through the years. Kitfox Aircraft should have a nice oil door kit available.


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Ester,Alaska
    Posts
    72

    Default Re: Oil Tank Door On ROund Cowl

    Yeppers, my Yellowfox #0048 has the beautiful round cowl with a hinged door for checkin the 2stroke oil, used a small piano hinge from Lowe's ($2-3) and an extra winged/thumb 1/4 turn latch from an old turtledeck i had. I can get a pic of it if ud like later today. Im going to copy it and do same on my Bluefox #0038 that im almost done building

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Bryan, Texas
    Posts
    558

    Default Re: Oil Tank Door On ROund Cowl

    Easy to do.

    I used a cam lock as well to keep it closed.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  5. #5
    Hockeystud87's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Hood River, OR
    Posts
    177

    Default Re: Oil Tank Door On ROund Cowl

    Grandpa put one into his cowl. It's a tight fit tho on the Model 4

  6. #6
    Senior Member Dusty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Christchurch, New Zealand
    Posts
    378

    Default Re: Oil Tank Door On ROund Cowl

    Make the access hole big enough to get a good grip on the cap as they can be real tight.I also have a flap for checking water( my spider is back at the firewall)

  7. #7
    Senior Member HighWing's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Goodyear, AZ
    Posts
    1,743

    Default Re: Oil Tank Door On ROund Cowl

    Back when I was finishing my first Model IV, I started working with an instructor to clear the cobwebs after not flying for close to 20 years. The airplane of choice was a Citabria. In the pre-flight check list it said something like this - Check oil and check for any damaged or unsecured wiring. I found this curious as I was looking through a 7 X 7 inch door. Soon to be flying an airplane I built myself, I decided I needed a bit bigger view of the engine compartment so I didn't put a door in. In the ten years, the only thing I discovered between annuals was the breaking of one of the stainless steel legs that supported the ignition modules.
    Lowell Fitt
    Goodyear, AZ


    My You Tube Channel

  8. #8
    Senior Member Slyfox's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    felts field, spokane
    Posts
    1,327

    Default Re: Oil Tank Door On ROund Cowl

    i too would like to put in an oil door. but for now what I do is unhook the left side and lift up the cowl, check the oil and put the cowl back down and rehook the fasteners on the left side. not too bad really. never take the cowl all the way off.
    steve
    slyfox
    model IV 1200-flying
    912uls
    IVO medium in-flight
    RV7A-flying
    IO-360
    constant speed prop

  9. #9
    P Morel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Locust Grove, GA
    Posts
    122

    Default Re: Oil Tank Door On ROund Cowl

    I made my own access door just like all the other builders. It was much easier than what I thought it would be. PM me for the instructions that I used.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Paul Morel
    912 Speedster

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Lincolnton, NC
    Posts
    17

    Default Re: Oil Tank Door On ROund Cowl

    I have pretty much decided not to add a door to my model 4 round cowl. When I check the oil, I'm also checking as much as I can see around the engine, exhaust, etc so I just became content with removing the top cowl. As much as I fly it makes sense to me to be able to visualy check everything I can. I usually remove the top cowl after a lot of flying any way to check for anything needed to fix before Flying again. Nothing ruins a great flying day than finding something you previously didn't know about. Of course it's worse to find it out after takeoff!!! 😀

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •