Jerry,

Simple answer: if you put the fuel selector on Both, with fuel in one tank, other tank empty, the fuel will transfer and equalize through the fuel selector. It'll take a while, but it will happen.

That's why if you REALLY, REALLY want FULL fuel when fueling, select left or right tank prior to fueling, fuel up, then select Both prior to takeoff. Otherwise, you fill one tank to the tip top, and while you're moving hose, ladder, or whatever over to fill the other tank, SOME (granted not a whole lot , but some) fuel will port over to the empty tank. But, if you select right or left tank prior to fueling, the fuel is stopped from porting over while you move the hose and ladder.

MTV

Speaking of crap in your fuel system. When I started usin mogas, I bought a 50 gallon slip tank for the back of the truck. 12 volt pump and filter. At the next annual, we found 5 dead wasps in the gascolator/filter. Aparently the wasps liked to huff gas and flew up into the gas nozzle on the fueling rig. They became brain dead and could not get out of the nozel so when fueling, they ended up in the tank.

So now we know that a wasp will make it through the fuel system as far as the gascolator/filter of a 182. Glad humming birds do no not like to huff gas.

Tim

I always run my fuel through a Mr. Funnel/filter. Does a good job of keeping unwanted stuff out, including water. If ya get interested in getting one. Different sizes have different flow rates. The small one is a little slow for me. I think I have the mid size one. Does 5 gal in 2-3 mins.
Gary

mtv wrote:Heck, you guys haven't discovered that once those beverage bottles are empty, you can refill them... Range extenders--just make sure you keep the refills separate from the factory filled types. My back tells me when to land, generally, but having sixty gallons available makes your choice of fuel stops more flexible. You don't have to fuel up every time you land, necessarily, and prices vary wildly from place to place. I find cheap fuel, I tank up.

MTV

Hey, MTV - you make a very important point (besides the "range extenders" one ) ... i.e., having more gas in your tanks extends your options. If the headwinds are stronger than estimated and/or the weather is deteriorating at destination (especially the latter), not having to add fuel to your list of panic-inducing mental burdens can make a big difference. And if it's not stress or the outcome of the flight that's at issue, it's also nice to be able to pick and choose your gas stop to save some bucks.

The best aviation gadget investments I've made since buying my Cherokee 180 last year were the ATC hand-held GPS - with its "Nearest Cheap Gas" data screen, among lots of other very nice features, including update subscriptions that are far cheaper than Germin's - at $500, and a calibrated DipStik at $25.

I do a lot of cross-county flying here in New Mexico, and regularly contend with tailwinds and headwinds that vary up to 60+ knots even at typical VFR altitudes - especially now that it's springtime. Fuel planning can be a bitch!