Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 00:07:08 -0600
From: Andrew Stagg <kastagg@shaw.ca>
Subject: RE: [FlyRotary] Mogas issues
In-reply-to: <list-3225358@logan.com>
To: 'Rotary motors in aircraft' <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Message-id: <003401c4371e$343bd720$6700a8c0@AndrewsToy>
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From up north: Ask any 'bike rider about using last falls' gas up in the
spring and you'll have no doubt about mogas losing octane.  If you know that
the plane will be sitting, you can always add a fuel stabilizer to prevent
the evaporation (most riders add it as part of the fall 'winterization'
prior to storage but others simply drain the tanks).  

Also, if the fuel is allowed to sit for awhile (usually 1 to 2 months is
long enough) the float bowls and carburetors can get a coating build up.  It
will rinse out as fresh fuel flows through.  Based on the performance of my
old Suzuki, I'd guess that an airplane's carbs would be clean by the time
you've finished a run-up.

Andrew

-----Original Message-----
From: Rotary motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On
Behalf Of echristley@nc.rr.com
Sent: May 10, 2004 5:43 PM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Mogas issues


I was asking someone very knowledgeable in the area
of epoxy systems about gas tank sealants for
composite tanks that can stand up to mogas.  His
response is below, and he brings up some issues that
I've never considered.  Transport will not be an
issue for me, but what do those of you who've been
flying with mogas think about the issue of smell and
loss of octane?

Could the latter be the reason that Rusty is seeing
such poor static performance?  The gas has been
sitting to long and gotten a little rusty?


> Jeffco makes a coating (tank lining system )
specific for Avgas.  It is
> used in Lancairs.   I don't know the number so
you'll have to contact them.
> Mogas stinks - literally.   You'll have an
airplane and a hanger that
> smells like a jet ski .   It makes passengers sick
real fast.  You will get
> tired of the transporting hassles too.   I've
never seen any data on
> storage stability, but I know the makers never
plan on it being around much
> longer that a few days.   If you wind up not
flying on a regular basis,
> I'll bet dollars to donuts that it looses octane
units with time - say 30
> days or so.   


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