Mooney M20F Fuel tanks

[Mooney810]

Forgive me if this has been asked before, but can you fill the tanks to the top? Just recently purchased an m20f. 64gal of useable fuel, 32 in each side, but the tabs mark the 25 gal mark on each side. Is full to the top or do I need to stop fueling before then?

 

Thanks 

[AndreiC]

31 minutes ago, Mooney810 said:

Forgive me if this has been asked before, but can you fill the tanks to the top? Just recently purchased an m20f. 64gal of useable fuel, 32 in each side, but the tabs mark the 25 gal mark on each side. Is full to the top or do I need to stop fueling before then?

 

Thanks 

You can fill to the tops. The tabs are there so you have a good idea what you have in the tanks if you ever do not want to fill up to the top, for example if you would exceed maximum take off weight with some passengers if had the tanks full all the way. But filling to the top is the usual SOP.

[Jsno]

When the fuel touches the tabs at the bottom, that is 25 gallons in that tank.

[DCarlton]

On my F, I usually leave the fuel down an inch or two from the top.  I've never felt a need to completely top it off.  64 gallons makes for a long endurance.  Unless the fuel is cheap, I typically only fill to the tabs (50 gallons) or a little over; that's just me.  After next month, I'll top them off because I'm installing the 50 gallon bladder STC (still plenty of fuel for me).  

[Paul Thomas]

I fill mine to the absolute brim and try to do so after every flight. The only time I wouldn't do that is if I planned a flight where the W&B wouldn't work on the next flight. That has forced me to burn some fuel off... also know as a great chance to go shoot some IFR approaches or polish off some other skills.

Edited Wednesday at 12:58 AM by Paul Thomas

[AndreiC]

As they say, the only time you have too much fuel is when you are on fire…

[Kelpro999]

You can fill to the top if you want. 
I personally don’t because fuel is never more than 10 minutes away delivered in my location. That being said, other reasons include less weight on gear & tires, easier to push/pull, less hassle to transfer fuel to/from tank for unexpected maintenance,  easier to add than remove for desired mission.

 Everyone has valid reasons for what they do and eventually you will too.

[Andy95W]

@DCarlton- if you don’t mind- how much is G&N charging for your 54 gallon bladder kit?

[DCarlton]

1 hour ago, Andy95W said:

@DCarlton- if you don’t mind- how much is G&N charging for your 54 gallon bladder kit?

10.4K with an extra fuel cap.  Ordered mid-Aug.  Received mid-Dec.  Griggs Aircraft Refinishing owns the STC now.  

[DCarlton]

19 hours ago, Paul Thomas said:

I fill mine to the absolute brim and try to do so after every flight. The only time I wouldn't do that is if I planned a flight where the W&B wouldn't work on the next flight. That has forced me to burn some fuel off... also know as a great chance to go shoot some IFR approaches or polish off some other skills.

I used to fill mine to the brim, but once, my fuel cap was installed slightly cocked in the opening with just enough of a crack for the fuel to get sucked out in flight.  Landed with fire trucks in pursuit.  Since then, I've left the fuel down an inch or two (for what that's worth) and I don't let anyone else install the fuel caps after fueling.