Further to Justin's information below , I have never had fuel smells (other
than the usual porous filler suspicions!)but have a different arrangement
for venting in that my vent goes up to the ceiling from the starboard side
of the tank to a collection bottle aligned to aim down back to the tank
filler ( so that it will drain back to tank) but with an overflow connection
---From the back end of the bottle across the ceiling and down the port side to
exit at the port flap hinge slot in the floor. To my knowledge there has
never been any fuel lost out the vent or even when overfilling the main
tank.
Regards to all.
Bob Harrison. G-PTAG
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Justin Kennedy
Sent: 15 May 2015 21:26
Subject: Europa-List: Smell of petrol in the cocpit just after takeoff
HI Guys,
I am a bit reluctant to stick my neck out but I have a possible reason and
solution for your smelly climbs.
When my Europa was about 2 years old, 9 years now, We had the same problem
with fuel smell after take-off and came to a conclusion which has not been
mentioned in the discussions on this subject. So here goes.
We think it depends on which side you fuel tank vent is on. In this example
the vent is in the usual place on the Starboard side top front corner of
the tank. So as you climb out into a right hand circuit the right wing is
going to be lower than the left for long periods. The fuel in the tank
slurps to the right. The result is a pocket of air trapped on the upper left
side of the tank. The size of the pocket of air is dependent on how full the
tank is at the time. As the plane climbs the pressure drops and the pocket
of air expands. Assuming the fuel is covering the actual fuel vent on the
right then there is nowhere for the fuel to go other than up the vent and
pour over the back of the fuselage. I think that it is this that creates the
smell of fuel that only lasts a short time. We experienced this phenomenon
with ours and noticed there was no smell if the tanks were less than about
1/2 full.
Also trying to reproduce the problem was easy. After take-off with nearly
full tanks I flew a long gently curved climb to the right which promptly
obliged with a strong fuel smell. As a result we put in an additional vent
on the other side of the tank.
There have been no fuel smells in the climb since.
Those with this smell could try this and then do it again with 1/2 tanks.
Also level up in the climb out every now and then to release the air to the
vent on the right and see if it stops it.
Obviously your vents may be different but you can apply the theory.
There are numerous potential sites for a fuel leak but when it is only in
the climb it has got to be climb related. I notice everyone is most specific
about it happening in the climb.
I may be talking bunk but it is surely worth discussion J.
Fly safe
Justin Kennedy
G-ZTED Europa Mono 912S Airmaster Prop
East of Scotland Strut
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