Fuel Odor in Cockpit

[Richard Muller]

Mark,

I had the same problem with the fuel sender. But there is also a flexible tube in the fuel vent line Part No. 82371-47. When this tube is bad, fuel will run through the wing, when the fuel cell is full to the top. The fuel vent line will then not vent to the bottom of the wing, it ends inside th wing.

Richard

[Jerry Mazza]

Has anybody had any experience with rebuilt bladders from Hartwig Fuel Cells? Aviation Consumer saysnthey should be about as good as new at half the price.

[N3322G]

If you are paying someone else to remove and re-install, the economics favor a new bladder. Had few bladders repaired and they lasted about 7-10 years. For the labor of doing it twice, I would have been better off buying a new bladder and paying for a single remove and install.

[Kristin Winter]

Even putting aside the 6-8 hours of shop time to replace a fuel cell, just the cost per year favors new fuel cells. IMX, new cells last twice as long and the reconditioned cost more than 1/2 of what a new cell costs. I wouldn't consider anything but a new fuel cell.

[Bert Japikse]

Another possible source of trouble at least in 250 Comanches may be the gascolator which can leak at the valve. If it does, the fuel may seep along the inside of the closed access door and under the cockpit floor. With the cockpit door closed, the smell can be strong, but it will dissipate once the door is opened and the big fan is started. Look for blue stain around the gascolator access door.

[Jerry Mazza]

Mine on my Twinco were the aux tanks leaking on both sides. The mains, although original were fine. If you only fill one tank completly full for each flight and leave the others about two inches from the top, you can isolate which tank(s) are leaking. I absolutely agree that for the labor involved you should buy new tanks. I ordered mine from Webco and they fit perfectly. It was interesting though that included with the installation supplies was a pack of Band-aids. Someone has a sense of humor. Jerry Mazza