I am considering purchasing my first gasser. My only concern is that I have to keep my models in my apartment as I have no garage. If I plug the exhaust ports (as one club member suggested) will the gasoline smell be a problem? Is ther much residue?

I fly an Arrow which is .46 engine powered (OS .46 AX). What I do at the field is to pull the line from the tank to the needle valve
and let the engine run the remaining fuel out. Generally, it will not leak at all. And I pump the remaining fuel from the tank to my fuel container. I also clean my plane at the field too. Then when you get it home, it is not really gonna smell. You shouldn't have a problem.

Dave...

Thanks, but that is a glow powered engine, I was talking about actual unleaded gasoline engines, specifically a Desert Aircraft 50...

I think you're gonna have some gasoline smell. You can minimize by pumping tank dry, and running engine dry as well. But I'm afraid you're never gonna quite get away from it.... what do you need a gasser for anyway that you can't do with a Satio Radial?


Andy

a gasser smells MUCH worse then a glow, no matter what you do to it there is always residue and odor. I too was going to keep my in my apartment, and after exactly one tank of fuel through it I realized that wasn't going to work. My solution was to run kerosine instead of gasoline. just add an ounce or so of 107 octane boost plus your normal oil, and it will burn just the same as gas. (might actually gain a couple hundred rpm)

Save a heck of a lot of money on fuel.

Gas is more volatile. So I guess you sniff it more, also I think they add some kinda scent to it so we can smell it.

rkramer - Kerozene? Hmmmmm ... how is that like? Carb settings the same? Engine will not carbonise?

redbiry - oh the fuel savings are amazing, i was informed! a 160 gasser takes like an 10-12 oz tank only. The same glow engine on a 24 oz tank only gives like 8 mins flight. Is that true? I wanna go gas for my new 72" SU31.

Remove the fuel and plug the vent. Leave the choke closed and you should not have a problem

Ditto. Drain the tank and plug the vent line, you won't smell a thing. If you do, there's a leak in the fuel system.

That's a new one on me. Kerosene doesn't smell the greatest either.

Ok, I have half telling me it is going to smell and the other half not. This issue is basically going to make or break the decision to buy this plane...

Can I get a couple more opinions please?

Well, the person that said it smells much worse also said he uses kerosene instead, so take it FWIW. Not sure if some of the others that posted even own a gasser. I have two GS gassers that I keep in the basement. I HATE the smell of gas. Trust me, do as outlined and you won't smell it.

Thanks Stickjammer, I appreciate the input.. Anyone else care to weigh in before I make the leap?

engine runs fine on it. do a search for it here, lots of others run it also. Carb settings were just slightly richer IIRC, that was awhile ago when I switched though...

fuel savings... yes that is true. I've got a 16 ounce tank in my 25cc stinger, flew about three good flights yesterday and still had half the tank left!

The odor doesn't come from the fuel system itself, it comes from that single drop you managed to spill on the plane or yourself. As an experiment, put a drop or two on a piece of wood and put that in your apartment, see how long it smells... I guess it also depends on your tolerance and ability to smell it. (I used to actually kind of like the smell of gasoline, but also was able to smell extremely small quantities)

I can't speak for everyone, but I usually have a much better chance of spilling gas on myself when filling up the lawn mower as opposed to my planes. Even if you do, it should be on the outside where it's easily wiped up. If you're getting gasoline on the bare wood of the plane where it can soak in you most likely have a leak in the fuel system which needs to be fixed anyway. As a last resort if you are prone to spilling, there are all sorts of flavor additives on the market to make the gas smell like whatever you wish.

Wooooooow ... 3 flights and you have used only 8 oz ... I am now most keen to try a gasser. So what do you put into the kerozene mix? Thanks!

I've looked into the additives. $10 for 4 oz and 4 oz treats like 20 gallons from Summit Racing. I am going to order some..

You can also go and get aviation gas.
Following refinement, gasoline does not have a smell.
The gas companies add this smell to gas so that people will know they have a leak.
I talked to a guy in Indianapolis that works at the refinery on the north side and he said that they can't remove it now. If someone got hurt, they could sue that they could not smell the gas.

I would recommend that you go to a airport and buy some gas from there.

So do the additives cover the smell totally or just post exhaust...

just go to wal mart and buy a gallon can of colmen lantern fuel(white gas) and mix with your oil as normal and amazing no gas smell,runs just as good and no smell