Hello all. First, I'm new to this site. Discovered it on YouTube because of some beautiful videos posted which popped up. My first plane at age 22 was a 1954 Cessna 170B. Traded it in for a brand new Cessna 172 in 1974. Have subsequently owned C-180, a C-185 on Wip 3730 amphib floats, a C-206 with Robertson STOL and Flints, an RV-3, an RV-8, a re-engined Globe Swift, C-337, Baron, Travelair, etc. I'm turning 68 and under contract to purchase a Cessna 182 which will undoubtedly be my last plane. The pre-purchase inspection is next week.

QUESTION: This C-182 had 80 gallon Monarch fiberglass fuel tanks installed in 1997. I've never heard of "fiberglass" aircraft fuel tanks; aluminum and polypropylene --- yes.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about these fiberglass tanks? Do they hold up? Should I steer clear?

Please & thank you.

MIKE (Chicago area)

P.S. Flew a friend's C-182A with newly installed Sportsman cuffs and Wing-X, large tires all around, last Friday... it just levitated off the ground and handled really well. Looking forward to learning/absorbing new info from this site.

Never had them but I do know folks that have them. No problems that I have heard of. Wish I had them in my 182. What year is the 182 you are looking at.

Tim

There is a 59 on the field with the monarch tanks installed... 4 tanks in total, 96 gallons of fuel when full.... the only problem that has arisen is the outboard tank caps have flat seals that go bad and they are not available so I make new ones every other year or so...

Brian


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I put ~ 1500 hours on a 206 with the Monarch tanks. They worked fine, and alleviate any issues that bladders may present. I much prefer them to bladders.

The only down side I found was that they reduce the amount of useable fuel because the tank itself occupies more space than does a bladder. So, if the plane had the smaller tanks to start, and doesn't have the Monarch aux tanks, you'll want to double check the legal useable fuel amount.

That F model 206 had 73 useable with the Monarch tanks, vice 78 (I think) with bladders.....a significant difference.

MTV

I have a friend with a 50 something 182 with Monarch tanks and haven't heard any complaints.

Mike,

My 73 185 has two 18 gal fiberglass Monarch aux tanks installed. I did some investigation on them before buying and did not find any negatives so bought the plane last Spring.
My concern was the fuel transfer system, as they are no longer in business, but discovered the fuel pumps are still readily available so had no issues. The one you are looking has the Monarch mains so no transfer system.
I have had no issues with them and have heard of no issues but others may chime in and have further insight.

Tom

Mike,

Congrats on the 182. I wanted to pull the trigger on that airplane but a 26 year old engine/prop with a couple low cylinders made me nervous. Hope some usage brings those numbers up and she purrs like a kitten for you for years to come! She's looks straight and clean as a whistle in the tail.

I've got Monarch mains and aux's in my 180. total of 92 gallons useable. Exactly 30 gl in one main and 31 gl in the other. The only issues i've had has been with fuel quantity senders.

Love 'em

gunny

I have fiberglass tanks in my 185. Mine have been installed for 15+ years and I have had no issues with the fiberglass tanks. I would echo what MTV said about volume and advantages over bladders. I would add..
1. They are heavy.
2. I hate the flappers on the monarch caps, Large dia fuel nozzles with a lip get stuck in there. PITA.

SI

Actually, I second the comment on Flappers.... they are a PITA.

gunny

Actually, I second the comment on Flappers.... they are a PITA.

I use a Mr Funnel that doesn't get hooked on the flapper and very easy to use. Also, the flapper is the reason I flew around for a half hour with the gas cap off and didn't lose a drop.

Those flappers are a big part of why I haven't ever installed the Monarch caps I got with the airplane.
I self fuel using 5 gallon cans & it seems like they'd be a real PITA.
Not sure a Mr Funnel would be much of an improvement-- it'd still be a hassle, just different.

Just about all my fuel is poured in from a 5 or 6 gallon jug. You're better than me if you can hit a 2 inch opening when standing on a step ladder. Mr Funnel gives me a 6 inch diameter target that is about 8 inches above the wing. By the way, why do some nozzles have that rib at the end? In all my flying, I think I've only seen one nozzle like that.

I never had any issues with the flappers, but if you really don't like them, remove one pin and they come right out.

MTV

mtv wrote:I never had any issues with the flappers, but if you really don't like them, remove one pin and they come right out. MTV

I asked Monarch if that was an approved wy to install and they said no way.
And after all the discussion about "Monarch caps leak, no they don't",
I decided to just fix the covers oo my old cap arrangement & leave it at that.

How long should these fiberglass tanks last?

DJ Balla wrote:How long should these fiberglass tanks last?

Probably ~69,420 fueling cycles.

Wish I had them in my 182. I’ve had boats with them, no issues...

asa wrote:

DJ Balla wrote:How long should these fiberglass tanks last?

Probably ~69,420 fueling cycles.

69 & 420...interesting number selection

What is the normal amount of fueling cycles / year? Will it matter if one cycle is less full than others? What about overfilling; will that hurt?