Mooney M20k Fuel Tanks

[MNFlyboy]

The inevitable Mooney tanks are leaking, AvGas odor and if you leave anyting on the floor of the rear seats it will turn blue and soak up fuel. Don't get me wrong, what aviator DOESN'T like the smell of avgas in the morning, but after an hour in a hot airplane in the afternoon in places like Texas and California, not so much fun.

Looking for advice on where to get reseals done. I have already gotten a quote from Willmar Air Service for $4350 per tank.

Much Appreciated!

 

[RICHARD5]

I feel your pain. That price is a bit high but may be worth every penny. Here's why: I haven't met an A&P who knew what they were doing when it comes to Mooney bladders. A $1,000 here, another $1,000 there, and you still have a leak. Plus the downtime and sheer aggravation. And that's for patching the bladders.

I forgot to add: make sure you get the STC. And keeping the tanks full--especially in hot weather--will extend the service life. You may already know that.

 

[Roger, Roger]

I feel your pain. That price is a bit high but may be worth every penny. Here's why: I haven't met an A&P who knew what they were doing when it comes to Mooney bladders. A $1,000 here, another $1,000 there, and you still have a leak. Plus the downtime and sheer aggravation. And that's for patching the bladders.

I forgot to add: make sure you get the STC. And keeping the tanks full--especially in hot weather--will extend the service life. You may already know that.

Uh...aren't all the older Mooneys wet wings?

 

[esa17]

Uh...aren't all the older Mooneys wet wings?

Mine were but there is an STC to convert them to bladders. If repairing them is anything like repairing the bladders in a C210 then that sucks for the mechanic. Knowing Mooneys as well as I do and knowing what a pain it is to work on them fuel badder replacement is enough to keep me awake at night.

 

[Roger, Roger]

Mine were but there is an STC to convert them to bladders. If repairing them is anything like repairing the bladders in a C210 then that sucks for the mechanic. Knowing Mooneys as well as I do and knowing what a pain it is to work on them fuel badder replacement is enough to keep me awake at night.

Ah gotcha. So which do you think would be worse-Re-sealing the inevitable leaking wet wing, or replacing a bladder?

 

[esa17]

Ah gotcha. So which do you think would be worse-Re-sealing the inevitable leaking wet wing, or replacing a bladder?

Both have their ups and downs but I have a general dislike and mistrust of bladders, especially the STC'd ones. We pulled a V-tail out of a field just north of KJDD once because it sucked a bunch of water. Come to find out after reading the STC that they could trap up to a gallon of water due to the way the bladders contract when low on fuel. Basically, the raisin up and the folds trap water. Top it off again and guess what happens to all that water. Answer: You tick off an East Texas potato farmer.

 

[RICHARD5]

I've helped replace bladders on a 210, 207, and M20. The Mooney was far more difficult.

In fact, I wouldn't mind working on bladders in the Cessnas but would gladly pay to have someone do it on a Mooney.

Every bladder has folds. I always rock the wings before fuel sampling.

 

[Roger, Roger]

Both have their ups and downs but I have a general dislike and mistrust of bladders, especially the STC'd ones. We pulled a V-tail out of a field just north of KJDD once because it sucked a bunch of water. Come to find out after reading the STC that they could trap up to a gallon of water due to the way the bladders contract when low on fuel. Basically, the raisin up and the folds trap water. Top it off again and guess what happens to all that water. Answer: You tick off an East Texas potato farmer.

Interesting. I had really no idea anyone put bladders in a Mooney. I hear, though, that if you get a GOOD wet wing re-seal done you're set for quite a while, substantially longer than a bladder. That's just what I've heard though, I'm much more of a Piper/Cessna mech than Mooney.

 

[RICHARD5]

Don't quote me on this, in fact I'd like to research it, I think those Mooney owners who went to bladders is because of the sparsity of getting a GOOD reseal of the wet wing. A friend had gone round and round with several A&Ps to get a good reseal. He never did. The plane was grounded and he sold his 1/2 share just to be done with it. It was a sour ending.