Slight gas smell

[Danb]

Have noticed a slightly get gas smell in the Bravo, see no signs of a leak.

What should I do next to track down the culprit.

[mike_elliott]

Dan, check the inboard senders for tightness behind the interior panels. Most often, it is simply a matter of tightening the screws that hold them in place. 

[Bob_Belville]

Is this something new Dan? I have a pretty sensitive smeller and I don't recall noticing. I agree with Mike that I'd check the senders behind the sidewall below the door and in the same position on the pilot side.

[AZM20C]

Just had mine sealed. That fixed the slight smell of gas that I had been searching for. 

[bradp]

Follow your nose - you can determine which side it may be coming from.  Best to take down the kick panels on either side.  Determine whether sender has blue dye / evidence of leak.  Smell down the forward wing root where the wingtip wiring comes in.  Leaks on inspection panels and seams can end up there.  Smell around fuel selector.  Old o rings contribute.  Ensure no fuel leaking on the firewall or instrument site of your fuel pressure gauge. 

[Danb]

12 minutes ago, Bob_Belville said:

Is this something new Dan? I have a pretty sensitive smeller and I don't recall noticing. I agree with Mike that I'd check the senders behind the sidewall below the door and in the same position on the pilot side.

Yeah I started to notice it recently

[Marauder]

35 minutes ago, Danb said:

Yeah I started to notice it recently

Also get your nose on the fuel selector as well. I would also look for fuel leaks showing up in the wheel wells or on the wings anywhere. These odors can travel.

[Bob_Belville]

When I had a small leak at the sender under the door I would get a whiff when I opened the door after the plane had been closed up. It dissipated pretty quickly. 

[kris_adams]

4 hours ago, Marauder said:

Also get your nose on the fuel selector as well. I would also look for fuel leaks showing up in the wheel wells or on the wings anywhere. These odors can travel.

+1 fuel selector here too

[RobertGary1]

If its slight and goes away when you open get in the plane I wouldn't worry about it. Not too uncommon for a bit of fuel smell after the plane has been sealed up for days.

 

-Robert

[carusoam]

RG,  

Not uncommon, but not right either...

There aren’t fuel aromas that are emitted as part of normal operations...

When a new aroma appears, it is best to find the source... new equals changing...

 

on the other hand, if you are in the camp of old planes smell...  my old plane had so much wear and tear and age... everything had leaks... old seals, old fuel hose connectors, enough the carpet was turning blue under my kids feet...

I bought the plane that way, so it seemed normal... it isn’t normal. 

Great pics, Bob!  Seal and fuel hose in one!

Best regards,

-a-

[RobertGary1]

I guess it depends on how much "right" bothers you. Most Mooneys have some amount of trivial fuel ooze and fuel perfume is intentionally very strong in small amounts. The Mooney maintenance manual gets into much more detail about how much is cause for concern. 

 

-Robert

[ryoder]

Do you smell it after landing?  If so then its going to get worse I think.  

I had my tanks resealed for 1k each and it was worth every penny.