Where is My Gear Fluid Dipstick??

[edasmus]

On my 1973 C337G, the hydraulic oil dipstick and filler port for the landing gear is located on top of the electric hydraulic power pack. The power pack on my plane is located behind a small access door under the center console which is just above the floor of the aircraft. Looking at your photo, if its located in the same place as mine, the access panel should be underneath your radar display screen. The dipstick is small, maybe 2 inches in length. You can add fluid through the same hole that the dipstick is removed from.

Ed

[tomcomet]

Originally Posted by edasmus

On my 1973 C337G, the hydraulic oil dipstick and filler port for the landing gear is located on top of the electric hydraulic power pack. The power pack on my plane is located behind a small access door under the center console which is just above the floor of the aircraft. Looking at your photo, if its located in the same place as mine, the access panel should be underneath your radar display screen. The dipstick is small, maybe 2 inches in length. You can add fluid through the same hole that the dipstick is removed from.

Ed

I am pretty sure there is NOT a panel of any kind on that front surface. I wonder if I need to remove the housing around the radar screen. Seems a little extreme...

[pilotpat]

Tom, if able, look down though the gap above the radar unit and below the trim wheel (a light will be needed). At the bottom front roughly in the middle is the top of the dipstick, which on ours is a lever which has to be lifted, then the whole thing pulled straight up (it takes a fair pull). Once out, it has to be cleaned, reinserted, removed, then read. In doing this from the RHS panel opening, you will note that there are multiple pieces of tubing and wiring in the way, and how easy it is to drop the piece into the bowels of the plane. So, if it does not have one already, tie a string to it for retrieval. It may actually be easier the first time to remove the right side pedestal cover (which has the hatch you refer to) where you can then see things a bit better. And no, you can't get at from the front under the radar!

[pilotpat]

This picture should allow some orientation, note the friction lock at the top. The dipstick is behind my shoulder, and the hatch in the panel (removed) is about where the blue hydraulic fittings are. You have to move your hand though the hatch and a bit aft to get to the dipstick. Pat

[pilotpat]

Here's a pic taken looking down through the gap previously mentioned (the "20" is the radar range knob). The brass lever has to be rotated up and the thole thing pulled up and out. There is a hydraulic line to the right exactly in the way; I have to put my thumb under and my fingers over it to be able to reach the level.

[tomcomet]

Originally Posted by pilotpat

Here's a pic taken looking down through the gap previously mentioned (the "20" is the radar range knob). The brass lever has to be rotated up and the thole thing pulled up and out. There is a hydraulic line to the right exactly in the way; I have to put my thumb under and my fingers over it to be able to reach the level.

This is great info Pat. Totally appreciate it. I will have a look tomorrow and report back.

TC

[tomcomet]

Pat and Ed were correct with their their PIREPs. I took the entire right side lower panel off the radar unit and all was there in plain view. All it required was a good briefing. Sure enough, the fluid was down about 1 teaspoon (glad I bought a gallon...). Still above the line but... Not bad for a 40 year old aircraft with 25 hours of recent hard training flights (at least) since last this was looked at.

Now that I know what to look for and where I think I will be able to get to it from the small side access panel. I took the advice and tied a little rope around the dipstick as it would be all too easy to ruin your day by dropping it in the sump. Helps to find the bloody thing in tight quarters too..!

Here are some photos... Note the safety rope.

Thanks for the help guys!