Fuel Imbalance

Jimbo
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Re: Fuel Imbalance

Post by Jimbo » Thu Nov 21, 2024 4:38 pm

Just flew KPHL - KORD. I used default livery, previous flights used American Airlines. I mention this because over the last six years (X-Plane 11 and MSFS 2020) I've had odd things happen apparently due to liveries.
Got a fuel warning prior to taxi. Opened Sim weight/balance page and one tank had a few hundred lbs less so I balanced them. I kept default fuel load which was 53%.
Fuel balanced at takeoff and climb out. Fuel balanced during first few minutes of cruise but the developed a 1400 kg difference. Fuel usage was about the same. This difference remained through out cruise. At some point during descent the difference increased with left tank having 5k less fuel than right tank. This disparity increased during the descent until right tank had 18k more than left and was gaining fuel.
I forgot to check at the gate.
Flight last night and today were with the GE engines.
KORD was below minimums when I landed--didn't see runway until flaring. Great autopilot. Was fun.
Hope this helps.

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RicardoLVFR
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Re: Fuel Imbalance

Post by RicardoLVFR » Thu Nov 21, 2024 11:01 pm

Jimbo wrote:
Thu Nov 21, 2024 4:38 pm
Just flew KPHL - KORD. I used default livery, previous flights used American Airlines. I mention this because over the last six years (X-Plane 11 and MSFS 2020) I've had odd things happen apparently due to liveries.
Got a fuel warning prior to taxi. Opened Sim weight/balance page and one tank had a few hundred lbs less so I balanced them. I kept default fuel load which was 53%.
Fuel balanced at takeoff and climb out. Fuel balanced during first few minutes of cruise but the developed a 1400 kg difference. Fuel usage was about the same. This difference remained through out cruise. At some point during descent the difference increased with left tank having 5k less fuel than right tank. This disparity increased during the descent until right tank had 18k more than left and was gaining fuel.
I forgot to check at the gate.
Flight last night and today were with the GE engines.
KORD was below minimums when I landed--didn't see runway until flaring. Great autopilot. Was fun.
Hope this helps.
do you shut down the APU after engine start?
Ricardo Morillo
Managing Director/Owner

Jimbo
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Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2024 3:35 am

Re: Fuel Imbalance

Post by Jimbo » Thu Nov 21, 2024 11:38 pm

Yes, APU off.
I just had a perfect flight from KBOI to KSFO. Fuel was perfectly balanced from TO to Gate. I was using the RR engines. Apparently for me the GE engines are the culprit. Everything operational in this flight was the same as the others excepting the engines.

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RicardoLVFR
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Re: Fuel Imbalance

Post by RicardoLVFR » Fri Nov 22, 2024 12:02 am

Jimbo wrote:
Thu Nov 21, 2024 11:38 pm
Yes, APU off.
I just had a perfect flight from KBOI to KSFO. Fuel was perfectly balanced from TO to Gate. I was using the RR engines. Apparently for me the GE engines are the culprit. Everything operational in this flight was the same as the others excepting the engines.
I just completed a short hop on the GE. No issues. Can you try the GE from runway to landing and see?

meaning not from cold/dark
Ricardo Morillo
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Jimbo
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Re: Fuel Imbalance

Post by Jimbo » Fri Nov 22, 2024 12:24 am

Sure. Might be tomorrow.

Jimbo
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Re: Fuel Imbalance

Post by Jimbo » Fri Nov 22, 2024 3:30 am

So it's not the GE engines--just made a short flight as you requested--fuel was balanced for the whole flight. Something about starting at the gate apparently is the problem. Is that fixable? I don't necessarily have to start at the gate, end of the runway is ok, but I kind of like starting at the gate most of the time.

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RicardoLVFR
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Re: Fuel Imbalance

Post by RicardoLVFR » Fri Nov 22, 2024 1:05 pm

Jimbo wrote:
Fri Nov 22, 2024 3:30 am
So it's not the GE engines--just made a short flight as you requested--fuel was balanced for the whole flight. Something about starting at the gate apparently is the problem. Is that fixable? I don't necessarily have to start at the gate, end of the runway is ok, but I kind of like starting at the gate most of the time.
You might not be turning on all fuel pumps. Or APU not being shut down. I would love to see either a video or pictures but its kind of hard.

We started on gate, and turned on the required fuel pumps and did all the correct procedures and no issues with fuel balance
Ricardo Morillo
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Jimbo
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Re: Fuel Imbalance

Post by Jimbo » Fri Nov 22, 2024 1:43 pm

I always turn on all pumps, apu, and shut down apu after engine start, etc. Now that I know it's not a bug I will experiment and see if I can figure it out. I wasn't having this problem a few weeks ago with this a/c, or any of the other AB's.
Thanks for your time and interest.

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RicardoLVFR
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Re: Fuel Imbalance

Post by RicardoLVFR » Fri Nov 22, 2024 2:05 pm

Jimbo wrote:
Fri Nov 22, 2024 1:43 pm
I always turn on all pumps, apu, and shut down apu after engine start, etc. Now that I know it's not a bug I will experiment and see if I can figure it out. I wasn't having this problem a few weeks ago with this a/c, or any of the other AB's.
Thanks for your time and interest.
Yes, let me know. In any case you have the A330-900? and if so confirm you updated to recent version as it had same issue before but don't know if it can currently influence the A330-200CEO.
Ricardo Morillo
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Jimbo
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Re: Fuel Imbalance

Post by Jimbo » Fri Nov 22, 2024 3:41 pm

Roger that. I have updated it (check daily, and with FBW and LFVR) but I wasn't paying attention to the FF when I flew it. I will fly it today and let you know.

I think after all this bug chasing I deserve an LFVR Test Pilot Certificate. I'll watch for it.

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