Has anyone here with an early 180 (with the "flapjack" covers) upgraded to the Monarch caps? Curious as to how the install went, and how you like them.

I've got a 56, lotta screws have a good Phillips screw driver that fits them tight. Get 2 long bolts same size cut the heads off run them into a couple opposing holes so you can hold the bladder neck up for reassembly. Worked best to have the bladders empty, was a good time to clean them out.

Also curious as to how you like them. Are they really an "upgrade" over the stock arrangement? I got a Monarch cap kit along with the airplane when I bought it. I'm planning on installing them, but want to make sure it's a useful mod and not just a mod for the sake of doing a mod.

I think they're great, really clean up the top of the wing, no more rusty screws.

The only issue I've had with them is when trying to top the tanks all the way up. That flapper door can make it hard to see the fuel level, requires getting your Mark One eyeball up there to see what's going on. Other than that a quality unit.

They are functional, they are raised slightly above the top surface and have an umbrella type build to help keep rain or wash water out. Learning to fill and not make a mess topping off is doable the flap adds a challenge. Install is quite easy.

I've had mine since 1990 and like them. I don't know when yours were made but it seems some people had problems with later ones not sealing good and letting gas syphon out. Before installation, I'd put the cap on and turn them upside down and figure a way to see it they hold water. If they do, I'd for sure install them. I didn't completely empty the gas either---maybe half full or so.

hotrod150 wrote:Also curious as to how you like them. Are they really an "upgrade" over the stock arrangement? I got a Monarch cap kit along with the airplane when I bought it. I'm planning on installing them, but want to make sure it's a useful mod and not just a mod for the sake of doing a mod.

What, pray tell, is wrong with a mod for the sake of doing a mod??????

Cary

I did it on the 205 last year. The issues they once had have long been resolved. The trick to fueling is too put the nozzle in an inch or so below the flap and hear when it changes sounds (fuel covering the end of the nozzle). Then you know you're close. It's a quick learning curve. I've really liked them...of course anything was an improvement over my killer caps!

I installed them in the Skywagon also... really dig em.

If you ever have to park outside in a rain storm, you'll really like them. The originals CAN leak, but in my experience, the Monarchs prevent water getting into tanks.

Finally, if you're like me, at some point you may leave a gas cap off and go flying. That flapper will prevent fuel from porting out in flight. Not that I've ever tested that theory, mind you....

A very good mod.

MTV

Monarchs are certified for "Cessna models 177, 180, 182, 185, 188, 205, 206, and 210 for bladder cells and wet wings", quoted from Hartwig's website. http://monarchcaps.com/index.php

FWIW, for us 172 drivers, I've been asking Butch Hartwig for several years when/if the Monarch caps would be available for 172s, without having to go the 337/field approval route. I've spoken to him each year at OSH, and we've also had some emails. It's always "we're working on it", and at one point he pointed fingers straight at the FAA. So I contacted the FAA about it, and the email I received in return pointed the finger right back at Hartwig. I don't know which is right, or perhaps it's something in the middle, but I haven't wanted to get in the middle of their argument.

My airplane has the well-type inlets common to older 172s, which of course collect water. Theoretically the actual top of the inlet is above the well, but it's close. So I have Stay-Sealed covers for my airplane, which I put on whenever it's parked outside. http://www.staysealed.com/index.html According to the website, they have stopped making covers for any flush-mounted inlets, so only the well-type covers are being made. They work, but it's just one more thing to put on while parked and take off during the pre-flight. I removed the "Remove Before Flight" flag from mine, added a cord that wraps around the strut, and put the flag on the end of the cord--lots easier to see than when up its up on the wing.

If it was easy to do, I would add Monarchs to my airplane. Sorry for the tongue-in-cheek comment earlier--I think this is one mod that isn't a mod just for the sake of a mod.

Cary

Cary,

My 170 had those recessed fillers as well, and parked outside in rain, the little "moats" surrounding the fuel fillers filled with water, and that water ported over into the fillers, maybe by creeping up the filler necks.

There is a mod which includes two donut shaped prices of sheet metal that fit the inside hole over the filler necks and cover those "moats", leaving the area around the filler flush with the top wing surface. The fit around the filler neck and around the perimeter of the metal plate were bonded to the wing with some sort of adhesive/filler.

On my 170, that totally stopped the water from getting in tanks.

I THOUGHT that mod came from Monarch, but if not, maybe someone else knows where it came from.

MTV

Glidergeek wrote:They are functional, they are raised slightly above the top surface and have an umbrella type build to help keep rain or wash water out. Learning to fill and not make a mess topping off is doable the flap adds a challenge. Install is quite easy.

I mainly fuel out of cans (mogas), that flapper sounds like it might be a problem.

Does anyone know why they call it the "Cessna Killer Cap"?



These flush caps have been installed on my 180 for 47 years without killing anyone. Are there issues with these or is this an overly dramatic sensationalist attempt at marketing their product?

I mainly fuel out of cans (mogas), that flapper sounds like it might be a problem.

Cans are all I use to refuel with mogas. I use a Mr. Funnel and it works like a charm.

I have fueled out of cans both plastic and metal and airport fuel islands not a problem. I mostly fuel in the hangar with a Fillrite 12v pump system. Can I suggest you find a plane that has them and observe? If they don't work for you I'm sure you can find a willing buyer here on BCP.

Scolopax wrote:Does anyone know why they call it the "Cessna Killer Cap"?



These flush caps have been installed on my 180 for 47 years without killing anyone. Are there issues with these or is this an overly dramatic sensationalist attempt at marketing their product?

Well, Cessna never called them that.....

But, those caps and the larger cover are flush with the top of the wing. Assuming the O-Rings seals are in perfect shape, they work fine.

Unfortunately, as they age, they become brittle, etc. Park outside in the rain, and you'll find a bunch of water in your tanks, from water lying in the seams of the recessed cap and porting into the tank.

And you'd be surprised to know how much water can enter the system that way.

Cessna lost a few law suits on this topic, and paid out big settlements a few years ago.

I'd replace those original Cessna tank caps

I know of three aircraft here in the Winnipeg area (where the Cap guy is located) where they've had issues of fuel siphoning out in mid flight. The gasket gets compressed and that's when the siphon starts. We were on a long flight a few years ago and we lost 15 gallons in the air. Landed with approx. 2 gallons. I call them killer caps, same as the original cessna ones. All of those guys ripped them out and put the second generation raised caps in. If you talk to the cap guy about this, he just tells you to flip the gasket around and it will be good to go. Kinda hard to do in mid flight and fuel is pissing out,....

Garth

gear wrote:I know of three aircraft here in the Winnipeg area (where the Cap guy is located) where they've had issues of fuel siphoning out in mid flight. The gasket gets compressed and that's when the siphon starts. We were on a long flight a few years ago and we lost 15 gallons in the air. Landed with approx. 2 gallons. I call them killer caps, same as the original cessna ones. All of those guys ripped them out and put the second generation raised caps in. If you talk to the cap guy about this, he just tells you to flip the gasket around and it will be good to go. Kinda hard to do in mid flight and fuel is pissing out,....

Garth

Garth, the caps that siphon so bad are the original caps? Or the raised Cessna caps?
David

Added Monarch caps to N2915C - 1954 Cessna 180 of Jeff Field's 15 years ago. Get correct ( early ) adaptors for top of wing.