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Fuel smell in cockpit

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maybe

Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Posts: 3
Location: South Africa

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 10:38 am Post subject: Fuel smell in cockpit

Hi Guys, 



My ch601 fueltank is located at the back of the instrument panel. (normal config if you don't have wing tanks) I have a so called "longer range" 65L tank. Then I have an electric fuelpump inside the cockpit on the floor. 



I have a terrible fuel smell inside the cockpit that I can't get rid off. Don't see any leaks, I've put a breather pipe inside fuel cap to try and get it to breath to the outside...no luck, Installed snap vents to try and force fresh air into the cockpit...still not good enough. 



Are there other guys that have the same problem? How can one get rid of the fuel smell? 



Thanks

bryanmmartin

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1018

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 12:10 pm Post subject: Fuel smell in cockpit

Are you burning auto gas? I have wing tanks and I always had the smell of gasoline in my cabin when I first pulled it out of the hangar to go flying. It would seem to improve during flight.  When the state started mandating alcohol in auto gas, I switched to avgas and haven't had the problem since. I think the problem was just the fumes from some of the more volatile stuff in gas venting and seeping into the cabin as it sat idle. The stuff they mix into auto gas these days really makes it stink.

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Hi Guys, 

 

 My ch601 fueltank is located at the back of the instrument panel. (normal config if you don't have wing tanks) I have a so called "longer range" 65L tank. Then I have an electric fuelpump inside the cockpit on the floor. 

 

 I have a terrible fuel smell inside the cockpit that I can't get rid off. Don't see any leaks, I've put a breather pipe inside fuel cap to try and get it to breath to the outside...no luck, Installed snap vents to try and force fresh air into the cockpit...still not good enough. 

 

 Are there other guys that have the same problem? How can one get rid of the fuel smell? 

 


	


-- 

Bryan Martin

N61BM, CH 601 XL,

RAM Subaru, Stratus redrive.

do not archive.

_________________
--
Bryan Martin
N61BM, CH 601 XL, Stratus Subaru.
do not archive.

maybe

Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Posts: 3
Location: South Africa

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 11:11 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel smell in cockpit

Hi Bryan, 



Yes I use Autogas. 



I have the Jabiru 2200 engine and its approved for the use of 95 Octane autogas. 



I must say....during the "Run In" period (first 25 hours of engine life) I used AVGAS as specified and the smell was a little better.....



So now...if one use Autogas.....and it smells.....and we can't do anything about the smelly gasoline.......does anyone have a good Idea of how to extract or blow out or eliminate or minimize the presence of the fuel smell? Special airfreshner or other vent holes/systems? 

Thanks

Martyn

psm(at)att.net
Guest

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 11:26 pm Post subject: Fuel smell in cockpit

Hi Martyn,



Do you have cabin heat installed?  That should force air through the cabin

and vent the fumes.



Paul

XL installing upgrade



--

maybe

Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Posts: 3
Location: South Africa

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 11:35 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel smell in cockpit

Unfortunately no cabin heat ( I live in the warmer side of South Africa...we "almost" never need cabin heat)



I have installed snap vents..... it does help a bit....but I need more...

bryanmmartin

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1018

Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 4:20 am Post subject: Fuel smell in cockpit

Activated charcoal canisters are used on cars here to soak up fuel vapors from the tank instead of venting them. Maybe you could hook a hose from your fuel vent to a charcoal canister to prevent the fumes from seeping into the plane. I don't know if it would work or not.



On May 3, 2010, at 3:11 AM, maybe wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   So now...if one use Autogas.....and it smells.....and we can't do anything about the smelly gasoline.......does anyone have a good Idea of how to extract or blow out or eliminate or minimize the presence of the fuel smell? Special airfreshner or other vent holes/systems? 

 

 

 Thanks

 Martyn


	


-- 

Bryan Martin

N61BM, CH 601 XL,

RAM Subaru, Stratus redrive.

do not archive.

_________________
--
Bryan Martin
N61BM, CH 601 XL, Stratus Subaru.
do not archive.

Z601c(at)anemicaardvark.c
Guest

Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 2:15 pm Post subject: Fuel smell in cockpit

The autogas part of this gives me cause to wonder. Years ago, I got an STC on 

a certificated aircraft to burn autogas. The autogas attacked the seals in the 

fuel system, causing leakage, and yes, you guessed it, the smell of gas. When 

I returned to using avgas, the leakage and smell went away.



I'm not saying this is the problem, but I do wonder.



On Monday 03 May 2010 02:11:22 you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Hi Bryan,

 

 Yes I use Autogas.

 

 I have the Jabiru 2200 engine and its approved for the use of 95 Octane

 autogas.

 

 I must say....during the "Run In" period (first 25 hours of engine life) I

 used AVGAS as specified and the smell was a little better.....

 

 So now...if one use Autogas.....and it smells.....and we can't do anything

 about the smelly gasoline.......does anyone have a good Idea of how to

 extract or blow out or eliminate or minimize the presence of the fuel

 smell? Special airfreshner or other vent holes/systems?

 

 

 Thanks

 Martyn


	




-- 

========================================

                                       Jim B. Belcher

                                       BS,MS Physics

                                            A&P/IA

                      General Radio Telephone Certificate

                               Instrument Rated Pilot

                     Retired Aerospace Technical Manager

                         Semi-proficient Househusband

========================================

larry(at)macsmachine.com
Guest

Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 6:17 am Post subject: Fuel smell in cockpit

Hi Jim,

I too had a trace fuel odor for a long time and found the rubber seals 

at a drain fitting were seeping, not leaking.

Just enough to evaporate and keep the smell in the air. I replaced the 

rings with a nylon type and torqued them down

snug and haven't had the smell since. If they don't leak or seep, you 

should not have any fuel odor.



Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com



Jim Belcher wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 The autogas part of this gives me cause to wonder. Years ago, I got an STC on 

 a certificated aircraft to burn autogas. The autogas attacked the seals in the 

 fuel system, causing leakage, and yes, you guessed it, the smell of gas. When 

 I returned to using avgas, the leakage and smell went away.



 I'm not saying this is the problem, but I do wonder.

Tim Juhl

Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 488
Location: "Thumb" of Michigan

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel smell in cockpit

Larry and Jim are on to something.  There would be no fuel smell unless there was fuel seepage somewhere.  It doesn't take much fuel to produce a nasty smell.



Unlike autofuel, avgas contains a dye that helps you locate points of seepage.  I'd start with any fuel connections that are within the cabin itself.



Good luck!



Tim Juhl

_________________
______________
CFII
Champ L16A flying
Zodiac XL - Jabiru 3300A
Almost done! It'll fly in spring!

n4546v(at)mindspring.com
Guest

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 7:41 pm Post subject: Fuel smell in cockpit

I agree:



In my old '48 Bonanza, I had a fuel smell in the cockpit.  I couldn't find 

the source easily.  I discussed it with my Friend; Bill Harrold, a retired 

highest level Lockheed aeronautical engineer.  He imparted to me this bit of 

wisdom:  "in aeroplanes, I don't like mysteries".  I started at the fuel 

tanks and worked my way towards the engine.  I had to take out some very 

difficult cockpit side panels, but behind one of them, I found a fuel 

fitting just loose enough to allow seepage, which when tightened, eliminated 

the smell.  I have never forgotten his advice.



Make your own decision, but I also believe that if you can smell fuel in the 

cockpit, you may be piloting a flying bomb.  I believe it is worth the 

search to solve the mystery.



Best Regards,



Randy, Las Vegas



---

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