Hi Robert;
I'm afraid there's more to the story about oil drain valves for your Arrow. But there's good news too!
The FAA issued airworthiness directive 81-11-02 R2 that mandated that placards saying, "Unapproved Oil Drain Valves Can Cause Inadvertent Draining When the Gear is Retracted - Use Only Piper Approved Part" be placed one on each side, on the lower engine mount beneath the intake and exhaust tubes. The AD mandates that Piper drain valve part number 492-172V be installed. Unfortunately, this valve lists for over $1800 from Piper.
It sounds like you have the valve but don't have the fitting that opens the valve to drain the oil that will work on your airplane.
There's a picture of the correct valve here: www.ebay.com/itm/New-Piper-low-profile-o...series-/162083244049
I spoke with Ryan at Saf Air ( www.saf-air.com
) He asked that you call him and said they have a new low profile valve that may work for you. Ryan's number is (734) 522-8360..
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Hi Blaine;
There are two systems. The pitot system is very simple--there's a hose from the forward side of the pitot mast to the back of the airspeed gauge.
This system rarely leaks.
The static system is most likely where your leak is.
The static system originates from a hole in the aft edge of the pitot mast.
Both the static and the pitot pressures are routed inboard to the wing root, then forward along the wing root to flexible hoses that transition between the wing and tubing in the pilot's side fuselage sidewall. Then up to the airspeed instrument.
The pitot (airspeed) tubing ends at that gauge. The static pressure is also routed to the vertical speed instrument (VSI) and the altimeter through "T" fittings on the back of each instrument then on to the airspeed gauge.
In addition to all the "T" fittings, there may also be a leak in the case of the VSI, altimeter, and A/S instruments.
There's no easy way to determine where the leak occurs. I would first look behind the panel to see that all the connections seem secure, and that any rubber tubing, if used if still flexible. I would also look at the tubing in the wing root to see if it has deteriorated.
One way to determine the source of the leak is to split the system in half; in other words, test the first half for leaks by disconnecting it from the second half and plugging the connection between the two halves. If there is no leakage in the first half, then the leak has to be in the second half.
There's no easy way, I'm afraid. This is one system that has many options for leaks.
Good luck.
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