Advice on buying a 182

Cessna 182's prior to 1979 used a rubber bladder to line the fuel tank. This
bladder suffered from the problems described (water was easily trapped in
wrinkles in the bottom, requiring what was called a rock and roll preflight
to try and move any water to the sumps). From 1979 onwards, a wet wing fuel
tank was used which didn't suffer from the problem (and useable fuel
increased to 88 gals). The other main issue with water contamination is what
are called "killer caps" - the original Cessna fuel caps were notorious for
letting water into the tank - this problem is so well known in the it is
hard to believe there are still some 182's out there with the original caps.

Join the Cessna Pilots Association and buy their "Cessna 182 Skylane Buyers
Guide", this has everything you need to know about this plane.

I've had my 1980 182Q for 2 years, and I love it. It is forgiving to fly as
long as you keep the nose up on landing, carries plenty of weight (1150 lbs)
and goes a long way (7Hrs @ 75%) at a reasonable speed of 140 TAS. I've done
my IFR rating in the plane and most of my Commercial training.

-Brenor

"Tom Cummings" wrote in message
nk.net...
I owned a 1974 P model from 1979 to 1986. It was a real good airplane. The
main trouble I had was water in the fuel system. Water was found in the
fuel tank on every pre-flight inspection. My present 1974 M model 172 has
never had any water found in the fuel system.
My 182's wings didn't have much dihedral and the fuel tank bladders had
wrinkles in the bottom and would prevent the water from effectively
draining to the drain sumps. An advisory was issued to preflight the fuel
system by jacking each wheel up one side at a time while having the tail
tied down. This was to help move the fuel toward the drains. The
gascalator was not in the lowest position of the fuel system. One time,
after a two hour flight, the engine quit on final and lots of water was
found in the gascalator. An advisory came out also to have the wrinkles in
the tank smoothed out by openning the fuel cap panel area and rub out the
wrinkles. And a change in the fuel cap design came out during those years,
too. Other 182 owners I talked to during those years never had this
problem.
A job change was the reason I sold my 182. I should have figured out a way
to keep it.
Tom
"Robbie S." wrote in message
...
I am thinking of buying a Cessna Skylane 182. Any caveats that I need to
pay attention to ? Any experiences, good or bad ? Any serious maintenance
issues ?

Thanks.

Robbie.