december 2011 volume 11 • number 12 - American Bonanza Society

www.bonanza.orgFuel smell during taxiPatrick Ripp, Janesville, WisconsinI am working with a fellow ABSQ. member’s aircraft, A36TC EA-141.He is getting a fairly strong fuel smellwhen taxiing in after flights. The fuelcells are new. I have checked the fuelselector valve, underfloor plumbing,tank vent systems, and check valves.No visible leakage anywhere. Theaircraft does drain fuel from the underwingvents as he taxis up to the hangar.He does not report any odor duringpreflight checks or in-flight. Any otherthings I can take a look at?Have a good look at the pressureA. side of the fuel delivery system toinclude the fuel pump shaft seal, thepressure regulator, and the flow dividerseals. Try plugging the fuel supply line atthe flow divider, then with the throttleand mixture controls forward and atank selected, have a helper inside theaircraft cycle the fuel boost pump onand off while you go over all of the fuelBest Training ...connections under the cowl. Pay particularattention to shaft seal leaks atthe boost pump, the engine driven fuelpump, the metering body, the fuel flowtransmitter, and all return lines. We dothis in the shop by plugging the six individuallines to the injectors, but makingplugs for the injector lines is labor intensive.Be sure to include the fuel selectorand all fuel lines in your inspection.—BAReplacement brakemaster cylindersJohn Thomas, Huntsville, AlabamaI cannot find a master cylinder forQ. the pilot-side right brake other thanfrom Beech at $410. Any suggestionsfor another less expensive supplier, ora reputable rebuilt supplier?Master cylinders are usually repairedlocally by putting in newA.O-rings and any worn components.The parts catalog gives a breakdown. Ifyour situation dictates replacement, I donot know of any aftermarket cylinders,• We have the best instructors• Train in sims, like the airlines do• Safer and much easier on equipment• Better training simply because aircraft makes for a poor classroomBonanza Recurrent $1,099Bonanza Initial $1,499Recurrent Training Centerrtcpilot.com KCMIBaron Recurrent $1,499Baron Initial $1,899800.727.1014however a company that special izesin new but old stock is Arrell AircraftSales in Oxnard, California, (805-604-0439or BeechedOut@aol.com.)Another option would be to trysalvage yards:Atlanta Air Exchange 800-237-8831or atlantaairexchange.comWhite Industries 800-821-7733 orwhiteindustries.comDodson 800-355-0034 or dodson.comAir Salvage of Dallas 800-336-6399or asod.comIf you do purchase an old stock orsalvage unit, consider putting in newO-ring seals prior to installation. —AMFuel troubleshootingCharles Reckson, Corvallis, MontanaOur 1975 F33A’s left fuel gaugeQ. registers five gallons regardless offuel quantity. I know this problem hasbeen discussed in Tech Tips in the past,but I couldn’t find a comprehensivediscussion on how to troubleshoot theproblem. Should I start with the transmitters,circuit boards, or gauges? Canyou refer me to an article in the ABSMagazine issue that covers the topic?Try these two documents from theA. Maintenance and Operations pageof www.bonanza.org:• Beech fuel quantity indicating systemtroubleshooting• Beech fuel indicator and failure modesFor future reference, to find theseand similar items:1. Go to www.bonanza.org and, usingthe Maintenance & Operation linkand the resulting menus, click on thelink to your airplane’s page.2. Scroll down to the Troubleshootingsection.Troubleshooting Information• Beech fuel quantity indicating systemtroubleshooting• Beech fuel indicator and failuremodesIf you can’t solve the problem withthis information please let us knowand our Technical Advisors will digdeeper. —TT48 AMERICAN BONANZA SOCIETY DECEMBER 2011