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I am one of the 21%. Both my tanks were stripped and resealed by Weep-No-More 5 years ago. I noticed a leaking rivet in the top of the right wing 2 years ago and called Paul about it. He offered to provide the necessary instructions to have an A&P repair it locally or said he'd repair it in-house if I brought it to Wilmar. Since it's only one rivet, is on top of the wing, and only leaks when the tanks are full I've chosen to defer the repair for now. I'm generally satisfied with the work that WNM did but would suggest that nobody is perfect, even the best shops. I'd be thrilled if they offered to pay a local shop to make the necessary repair for me, but I don't expect it. If it was leaking along a seam I'd probably fly it back to Wilmar.

At this point we have 74 responses to the poll. While the poll is not a "scientific poll" there is still some good information we can gather from it IMO. As it stands now the indications are: 1. 80% of respondents have had fuel tank leaks in the past or in the present. 2. 24% of respondents currently have a fuel leakage issue. 3. 54% of respondents who've patched/repaired their tanks continue to have fuel leakage issues. 4. 21% of respondents who've stripped/resealed their tanks continue to have fuel leakage issues. 5. Though the question was not listed in the poll one instance of bladder leakage was reported but my assumption is that bladder leakage is a rare event when properly installed. Note: No valid information could be derived regarding the age of those aircraft whose tanks are original and are still leak-free. Due to my poorly-worded question 10 individuals posted the age of their aircraft even though they had repairs and/or leakage. My assumption is that older planes are more likely to leak than newer ones but this cannot be supported by the data as collected. Anybody else have any thoughts or comments?

You can certainly gain a lot of info very efficiently from a Mooney specific CFI, but don't enter into this being afraid of the "quirky" Mooney. You can smoothly land a C or F or J or R etc. at 90 knots on an appropriate length runway; it's done all the time. Just never, ever, force the plane to the ground. Being on the commonly-prescribed speed (for model and weight) makes it even easier. I would absolutely seek a specialist if transitioning into a long-body though. Even moving from a short-body to medium-body requires a bit more technique. 10 hours in type seemed about right to me. YMMV. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

My other assumption was that nobody ever installed bladders prior to experiencing a leak. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

My assumption was that bladders are a permanent fix so I didn't address that. But if anybody has experienced such a failure I hope they'll discuss it. The 2nd part of the poll is already out of whack due to my poorly worded query but I believe we're getting valuable data from question #1. Later, after more responses we can analyze and discuss the results. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Bladders added. If somebody has a leaky bladder I suggest you visit a urologist.

Hold on. I can separate out bladders.

Okay, the poll has been posted. I'm very interested in the results. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Discussion has come up regarding the longevity in our Mooney wet-wing tanks. Please respond to the poll.

I'm sure there are many variables such as whether the plane was hangared, tanks kept empty or full, climate, hard landings/training, and maybe even shock-disc age. The first Mooney I partnered in was a ’64 E making it 53 years old this year and after multiple patches (including once by a premier MSC) it was finally stripped and resealed by Edison at WetWingologists a couple of years ago. My J is now 39 (though she tells everybody she's only 29) and it was stripped and resealed by Weep-No-More in 2012. It's still got one seeping rivet on the top of the tank which I'm sure Paul would fix for free but being 959nm away I'll just live with it until it becomes a problem. I could be wrong but it just doesn't seem reasonable to expect the original sealant to last more than 25-30 years. I'd love to see the results of such a poll![emoji1360] Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If the logs aren't fraudulent (and I have no reason to believe they are) I believe this might work out nicely for you. I bet 208B was done years ago. And minor tank leaks aren't a big deal either though a recent thread here discusses a system-wide sealant failure that left the plane AOG with few options. Spar corrosion is the biggie and has killed more than one owner's dreams. I suspect that more Mooneys are pre-inspected by non-MSCs than MSCs and are still in the system. It's just that a thorough PPI at a MSC will likely find things that may help in price negotiations. Enjoy your new plane, and send pics after you pick her up! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

This has officially become a saga.[emoji846] Without re-reading the entire thread may I ask a couple of questions that may have been answered already? 1. Is there a logbook entry for the tanks having been stripped and resealed? If not then set aside $8K for doing that soon. 2. Is there a logbook entry for SB208B having been completed? If not you'll want to pull the interior at your PPI. If your personal mechanic has decent eyes and does a little homework there's no reason he can't check for the big "gotchas" like spar corrosion. There's not a mechanic on the face of this earth that can tell you if the lifters/cam on a Lyc360 are going to crap out without at least pulling 2 jugs, and nobody is going to let you pull them in a pre-buy. That risk is yours unless you can negotiate an escrow fund with the seller to warranty the engine. Certainly Don would give you a better PPI but if the plane is the one you want and it looks good then get a field-inspection and fly it to GGG for its next annual. The only way I see you getting it there pre-purchase is for somebody to pony-up the money for insurance and a rated pilot. I imagine Don's already busy enough without having to negotiate on your behalf with the seller. Just sayin'... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The new target was below you and climbing. Perhaps he was squawking ADS-B Out the whole time but his antenna was under his belly and shaded. Once your planes approached closer altitudes his signal was unmasked? Just a guess. I've been "out" compliant for 3 years now and have seen plenty of weird traffic stuff over that time. I LOVE having the full traffic, but no way do I trust it entirely!

Richard, I'm not trying to be a stick in the mud but please note that if it takes a tool to install/remove, the mount is not legal. Pilots get away with this daily but being in SOCAL I'd be wary of a ramp check by an overly-enthusiastic agent of the FAA. A wingnut and lockwasher might be just what the doctor ordered. P.S. Glad to see the prop governor cable readjusted. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

This should be a good link to FAA Advisory Circular 91-75. https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC91-75.pdf Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It's been 3 years ago so my memory is fuzzy but there is a setting in the 330ES software that needs to be set properly telling the ground stations you are both transmitting and receiving ADS-B, even if your "in" equipment isn't certified (i.e. iPad). If not set correctly the towers will not broadcast to you as desired. Been there/done that, but with a GTX330ES/Foreflight/Stratus combo. Works perfectly when configured properly. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Slip/skid indicator screws right on the front of your backup AI. Not only does the FAA allow removal of your turn coordinator, they actually encourage it. I'll link the advisory circular upon request. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Pull the individual breakers on the stec and gtx while everything is on and see if an error message pops up for each. You should get one each time a connected unit is powered down. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Airworthy M20s usually don't sell for $18.5K. Not even close. I feel badly for the OP but somebody knew this plane had serious problems prior to the sale. I'd look well beyond the tanks before dropping another $10K on her too. Caveat Emptor my friends! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Which model? - J. Most efficient certified piston airplane ever produced. Does this dress make my butt look large? - "Of course not honey, you're as beautiful now as you were the day we met". Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Check out Anthony's link. Worth reading. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Very cool! It's even animated![emoji846] Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

FYI, my engine-driven manual pump outperforms my Dukes electric pump. The electric still holds pressure in the middle of the green arc but the mechanical is at the top. Don't rule out an oddly-performing mechanical pump. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

What's your fuel flow at (sea-level) takeoff? Mine's 0.5 too rich but still doesn't "puff", at least not since graduating college. [emoji846] Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Excellent query by Anthony (possible air intrusion), but it's at a consistent altitude/pressure? This one's a real page turner. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk