DOC AIRBUS | TSM A320FFuel - A Large Quantity of Water Found Again and Again During Sumping At The Left (Right) Wing-Tank Outer-Cell Water Drain-Valve 23QM (24QM)
TASK 28-11-00-810-813-A
Fuel - A Large Quantity of Water Found Again and Again During Sumping At The Left (Right) Wing-Tank Outer-Cell Water Drain-Valve 23QM (24QM)
A. Referenced Information
3. Fault Confirmation
Subtask 28-11-00-710-064-A ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL
Subtask 28-11-00-810-062-A ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL
[Rev.8 from Aug 2018]
2026.04.04 04:28:27 UTC
Fuel - A Large Quantity of Water Found Again and Again During Sumping At The Left (Right) Wing-Tank Outer-Cell Water Drain-Valve 23QM (24QM)
WARNING:
OBEY THE FUEL SAFETY PROCEDURES.
1. Possible Causes- jet-pump water scavenge system
- jet adaptor assembly
- JET PUMP-WATER SCAVENGE, L WING TK [67QM]
- JET PUMP-WATER SCAVENGE, R WING TK [68QM]
unwanted material (debris) damage (or incorrect installation) that could cause a pipe to leak or become blocked
A. Referenced Information
| REFERENCE | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|
| TSM TASK 28-11-00-810-809-A | Fuel - Unwanted Material (Debris) In The Left (Right) Wing-Tank (Outboard of the Rib2) |
| TSM TASK 28-11-00-810-812-A | Fuel - Excessive (Too Much) Fuel (or Fluid Mixture) Found During Sumping At The Left (Right) Wing Vent/Surge-Tank Water Drain-Valve 21QM (22QM) |
| AMM 12-32-28-281-001 | Drain Water Content |
| AMM 12-32-28-281-003 | Sample Fuel for Microbiological Contamination Analysis |
| AMM 28-00-00-000-001 | Removal of the Fuel Pipes |
| AMM 28-00-00-400-001 | Installation of the Fuel Pipes |
| AMM 28-11-00-600-003 | Removal of Microbiological Particles |
| AMM 28-21-00-00- | |
| AIPC 28210537 | |
| AMM 28-21-53-000-001 | Removal of the Jet Pump |
| AMM 28-21-53-000-003 | Removal of the Jet Adaptor Assembly |
| AMM 28-21-53-400-001 | Installation of the Jet Pump |
| AMM 28-21-53-400-003 | Installation of the Jet Adaptor Assembly |
Subtask 28-11-00-710-064-A ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL
A. Introduction
Read all of this paragraph before you start the work steps in Para. 3.B.
This procedure is written for the aircraft left wing with the right wing LRUs given in (parenthesis) when applicable.
Water can get into the fuel-tanks:
To reduce the possibility of water separation to a minimum (in the wing-tank outer-cell) the jet-pump water scavenge system AMM 28-21-00-00- and (Ref. DWG D282500007) causes a fuel flow in some areas of the tank.
The jet-pump 67QM (68QM) system gives the fuel (or fluid and water mixture) two continuous fuel flows. The flows are as follows:
The Recirculating Flow.
This goes from the pick-up (intake) pipe (found immediately above the inboard outer-cell floor and below the inlet to the rear Intercell Transfer Valve (ICTV) 28QM (30QM)) to the output that is a adjacent to that of the wing-tank vent/surge-tank scavenge system jet-pumps and in-line with the top of the rear ICTV 28QM (30QM).
The Through Flow From the Outer to Inner-cell.
From each wing-tank fuel-pumps pressurized output there is a (common) bleed pipe-line which supplies the two jet-pumps 66QM & 67QM (68QM & 69QM). After the pressurized fuel has passed through the jet-pump jet adaptor assemblies (where the suction is created) it flows (drains) into the outer-cell. This has the same effect as a continuous slow refuel to that cell. When the outer-cell becomes full, it will over flow through the spill-pipe into the wing-tank inner-cell.
The effect of these systems is to help mix (emulsify) the water with the fuel and distribute it throughout the fuel-tanks.
A minimum of one fuel-pump (in a wing-tank) must be in operation for the jet-pump scavenge systems (of the same wing) to operate.
The jet pump scavenge system is made from small diameter/bore 0.5 in. (12.7000 mm) (outside diameter) pipe. The flow of fuel through the system is at a rate of approximately 7.7 l (2.0341 USgal) per minute.
To get a complete fuel mix the scavenge system must be given sufficient time.
The specified fuel quantities for each wing-tank outer-cell are as follows:
This condition can also be caused when unwanted material has got into the wing-tank outer-cell and caused the jet-pump system given before to become unserviceable (example, because of a blockage at the jet-pump pick-up pipe or rear ICTV inlet).
If the jet-pump water scavenge system is unserviceable, a high proportion of water will be found during the next (and subsequent) water drain procedures at the valve 23QM (24QM).
The fuel flow given here can also move unwanted material around the fuel storage system.
If water (and/or other unwanted materials) gets into a fuel-tank, it can cause problems. Example, it can cause the FQIS to go inoperative or degraded and is associated with multiple fuel probe failures.
It is very important that the water in each fuel tank is kept to a minimum. The procedures given in the MPD and AMM must be fully completed (when applicable). A failure to do so can cause the problems that follow:
Subtask 28-11-00-710-065-A ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL Read all of this paragraph before you start the work steps in Para. 3.B.
This procedure is written for the aircraft left wing with the right wing LRUs given in (parenthesis) when applicable.
Water can get into the fuel-tanks:
- during a refuel (as very small water droplets in the fuel)
- as the result of condensation.
NOTE: Condensation is when there is a change of a vapor (humid air) to a liquid (water) that starts when the temperature goes down. This is with reference to the air in the fuel-tank space above the fuel surface.
During a long period of time this water can separate out from the fuel and sink to the bottom of the tank. This is because the water is heavier than the fuel. It is also a possibility in the wing-tank outer-cell because: - the fuel is not used on short flights
- it is the last fuel to be used (during the normal fuel sequence)
- the rear inboard corner of the outer-cell is an area with no fuel flow
- a small amount of fuel is below the level of the rear ICTV inlet (to the inner-cell).
To reduce the possibility of water separation to a minimum (in the wing-tank outer-cell) the jet-pump water scavenge system AMM 28-21-00-00- and (Ref. DWG D282500007) causes a fuel flow in some areas of the tank.
The jet-pump 67QM (68QM) system gives the fuel (or fluid and water mixture) two continuous fuel flows. The flows are as follows:
- a recirculating flow internal to the outer-cell
- a through flow from the outer to the inner-cell.
The Recirculating Flow.
This goes from the pick-up (intake) pipe (found immediately above the inboard outer-cell floor and below the inlet to the rear Intercell Transfer Valve (ICTV) 28QM (30QM)) to the output that is a adjacent to that of the wing-tank vent/surge-tank scavenge system jet-pumps and in-line with the top of the rear ICTV 28QM (30QM).
The Through Flow From the Outer to Inner-cell.
From each wing-tank fuel-pumps pressurized output there is a (common) bleed pipe-line which supplies the two jet-pumps 66QM & 67QM (68QM & 69QM). After the pressurized fuel has passed through the jet-pump jet adaptor assemblies (where the suction is created) it flows (drains) into the outer-cell. This has the same effect as a continuous slow refuel to that cell. When the outer-cell becomes full, it will over flow through the spill-pipe into the wing-tank inner-cell.
The effect of these systems is to help mix (emulsify) the water with the fuel and distribute it throughout the fuel-tanks.
A minimum of one fuel-pump (in a wing-tank) must be in operation for the jet-pump scavenge systems (of the same wing) to operate.
The jet pump scavenge system is made from small diameter/bore 0.5 in. (12.7000 mm) (outside diameter) pipe. The flow of fuel through the system is at a rate of approximately 7.7 l (2.0341 USgal) per minute.
To get a complete fuel mix the scavenge system must be given sufficient time.
The specified fuel quantities for each wing-tank outer-cell are as follows:
- the Unusable Fuel Quantity is 4.0 l (1.0567 USgal)
- The Undrainable Fuel Quantity is 0.25 l (0.0660 USgal).
NOTE: The unusable fuel quantity is the volume of fuel that cannot be moved (transferred to the inner-cell) with the two IVTV 27QM (29QM) and 28QM (30QM).
The undrainable fuel quantity is volume of fuel that cannot be drained out of the tank at the water drain valve 23QM (24QM).
If the jet pump scavenge system is unserviceable, the fuel will stay in its initial position and water that can be present will separate out to the bottom. The undrainable fuel quantity is volume of fuel that cannot be drained out of the tank at the water drain valve 23QM (24QM).
This condition can also be caused when unwanted material has got into the wing-tank outer-cell and caused the jet-pump system given before to become unserviceable (example, because of a blockage at the jet-pump pick-up pipe or rear ICTV inlet).
If the jet-pump water scavenge system is unserviceable, a high proportion of water will be found during the next (and subsequent) water drain procedures at the valve 23QM (24QM).
The fuel flow given here can also move unwanted material around the fuel storage system.
If water (and/or other unwanted materials) gets into a fuel-tank, it can cause problems. Example, it can cause the FQIS to go inoperative or degraded and is associated with multiple fuel probe failures.
It is very important that the water in each fuel tank is kept to a minimum. The procedures given in the MPD and AMM must be fully completed (when applicable). A failure to do so can cause the problems that follow:
- water contamination
- microbiological contamination
- chemical contamination
- local fuel-tank corrosion
- engine corrosion
- the engine fuel filters to become blocked
- the aircraft is out of service for a long period some time in the future while the microbiological contamination is removed
- possible aircraft safety issues.
B. Test
(1) There is no test (or inspection) of the fuel jet-pump scavenge system, but AIRBUS recommends that you continue as follows:
(a) At the drain valve 23QM (24QM), do the AMM TASK, Drain Water Content AMM 12-32-28-281-001.
(b) Do a Sample of Fuel for Microbiological contamination Analysis AMM 12-32-28-281-003.
(a) If the quantity (of water) measured is:
(a) Monitor the amount of water drained from the left (right) wing-tank outer-cell water drain-valve 23QM (24QM):
(c) If the quantity of water drained from the wing-tank outer-cell is seen to slowly increase each time you do the water drain procedure (but still less than 20 l (5.2834 USgal)), do Para. 4.A.
4. Fault Isolation(1) There is no test (or inspection) of the fuel jet-pump scavenge system, but AIRBUS recommends that you continue as follows:
(a) At the drain valve 23QM (24QM), do the AMM TASK, Drain Water Content AMM 12-32-28-281-001.
(b) Do a Sample of Fuel for Microbiological contamination Analysis AMM 12-32-28-281-003.
- if the the results are MODERATE or HEAVY, do the applicable procedure or action AMM 28-11-00-600-003
- if the the results are NEGLIGIBLE, do step (2).
NOTE: Different microbiological contamination test kits are available. If no water is present in the drained sample, it is important to use a kit which can test contamination in the fuel phase. It is also important you make sure you use a kit which is correct for the timescale for the results availability.
The trouble shooting actions given here are additional to those given in the AMM.
(2) Measure the quantity of water removed through the water drain-valve 23QM (24QM). The trouble shooting actions given here are additional to those given in the AMM.
(a) If the quantity (of water) measured is:
- less than 0.25 l (0.0660 USgal), no more troubleshooting work steps are necessary
- more than 20 l (5.2834 USgal), do Para. 4.A.
- more than 0.25 l (0.0660 USgal) but less than 20 l (5.2834 USgal), do step (3).
(a) Monitor the amount of water drained from the left (right) wing-tank outer-cell water drain-valve 23QM (24QM):
- before the next five refuels
- for five days (preferably if and after it has been parked over night).
(c) If the quantity of water drained from the wing-tank outer-cell is seen to slowly increase each time you do the water drain procedure (but still less than 20 l (5.2834 USgal)), do Para. 4.A.
Subtask 28-11-00-810-062-A ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL
A. Procedure
(1) Do a check of the jet-pump 67QM (68QM) jet adaptor assembly as follows:
(a) Remove the jet adaptor assembly AMM 28-21-53-000-003.
(b) Do the inspection of the jet adaptor assembly as given in the installation procedure AMM 28-21-53-400-003.
(c) Replace, if necessary:
(3) If during the steps to get access to the wing-tank outer-cell you find:
(a) Microbiological contamination in the fuel-tank, do the steps that follow:
1 Make a record of what you have found in the aircraft technical log.
2 Remove all the microbiological contamination AMM 28-11-00-600-003.
3 Do step (4).
(b) No microbiological contamination in the fuel-tank, do step (4).
(4) Do a visual inspection of the end of the pick-up pipe and adjacent area immediately below and outboard of the rear ICVT inlet forunwanted material (debris) .
(a) If found, remove all unwanted material (debris).
(b) Make sure that the wing-tank outer-cell contains no other unwanted material. Remove as necessary.
(c) Make a careful estimate of the possibility that the unwanted material has moved to the other fuel-tanks.
(5) Do a visual inspection of the jet-pump 67QM (68QM) (external surface - from inside the tank) for a reason for it to be unserviceable (example, a leak due to damage or incorrect installation). Replace, if necessary AMM 28-21-53-000-001 and AMM 28-21-53-400-001.
(6) Do a visual inspection of the jet-pump 67QM (68QM) related items that follow:
damage (or incorrect installation) that could cause a pipe to leak or become blocked .
(b) If necessary, repair or replace all the unserviceable fuel pipes, connections and pipe fittings AMM 28-00-00-000-001 and AMM 28-00-00-400-001.
(1) Do a check of the jet-pump 67QM (68QM) jet adaptor assembly as follows:
(a) Remove the jet adaptor assembly AMM 28-21-53-000-003.
(b) Do the inspection of the jet adaptor assembly as given in the installation procedure AMM 28-21-53-400-003.
(c) Replace, if necessary:
- the jet adaptor assembly AMM 28-21-53-000-003 and AMM 28-21-53-400-003
- the JET PUMP-WATER SCAVENGE, L WING TK [67QM] ( JET PUMP-WATER SCAVENGE, R WING TK [68QM] ) AMM 28-21-53-000-001 and AMM 28-21-53-400-001.
(3) If during the steps to get access to the wing-tank outer-cell you find:
(a) Microbiological contamination in the fuel-tank, do the steps that follow:
1 Make a record of what you have found in the aircraft technical log.
2 Remove all the microbiological contamination AMM 28-11-00-600-003.
3 Do step (4).
(b) No microbiological contamination in the fuel-tank, do step (4).
(4) Do a visual inspection of the end of the pick-up pipe and adjacent area immediately below and outboard of the rear ICVT inlet for
(a) If found, remove all unwanted material (debris).
(b) Make sure that the wing-tank outer-cell contains no other unwanted material. Remove as necessary.
(c) Make a careful estimate of the possibility that the unwanted material has moved to the other fuel-tanks.
NOTE: This can occur if the unwanted material items are relatively small (example, 10 mm (0.4 in) across) and of neutral buoyancy (does not sink to the bottom or float to the top).
(d) If necessary, do the TSM procedure 'Unwanted Material (Debris) In The Left (Right) Wing-Tank (Outboard of the Rib 2)' (Ref. TSM TASK 28-11-00-810-809). (5) Do a visual inspection of the jet-pump 67QM (68QM) (external surface - from inside the tank) for a reason for it to be unserviceable (example, a leak due to damage or incorrect installation). Replace, if necessary AMM 28-21-53-000-001 and AMM 28-21-53-400-001.
(6) Do a visual inspection of the jet-pump 67QM (68QM) related items that follow:
- the suction-pipe between the pick-up (inlet - as given in step (4)) and the related jet-pump
- the (output/discharge) pipe, between the jet-pump 67QM (68QM) and the fuel discharge (outlet) adjacent to the intercell transfer valve 28QM (30QM) (outboard of RIB15)
- the pressurized-pipe, between the fuel-manifold (adjacent to the check valve 33QM (35QM) and 34QM (36QM), in-board of RIB2) and the jet-pump 67QM (68QM).
NOTE: The last item given in the list above is also used to supply the pressurized fuel to the related jet-pump 66QM (69QM). This jet-pump returns released fuel, temporarily held in the vent/surge-tank, back to the outer-cell (Ref. TSM TASK 28-11-00-810-812).
(a) Look for (b) If necessary, repair or replace all the unserviceable fuel pipes, connections and pipe fittings AMM 28-00-00-000-001 and AMM 28-00-00-400-001.