Bill E

I am looking for someone willing & capable to reseal my 1979 Mooney fuel tank(s). The aircraft is a Rocket 305 Conversion and has extended range tanks. Just after I bought it, I had it in Sanford, FL to have all tanks resealed by Propellerhead Aviation, Inc. (Bill Boege, proprietor). The right inboard and long-range tanks started leaking soon after he had it in his shop. Bill Boege at Propellerhead offered a 7-year warranty and is now unwilling to live up to his warranty obligation. He has strung me along for nearly three years and recently told me he didn’t want to hear from me anymore. I've complied with his request to send photos of the leaks and the aircraft location, but since then he has ignored multiple communication attempts to reply with the warranty activation process to correct his shoddy resealing work failure. It is disappointing that he ignores this responsibility as it was a very expensive $14K repair and took 4 months (although he told me it would only take six weeks). I hear Weeps No More (in Minnesota) does good work as well as Wetwingologists. Again, I only need both tanks on one wing resealed and am seeking any advice on leads for reputable shops who perform this task. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I appreciate your advice, FloridaMan. I do have the speed brakes installed, too. I just had all tanks resealed so I may contact Bill at PropellerHead, who seems to be a tank expert as well. At this point, the concensus seems to be drain the tanks and slowly refill, making calibrated measurement as I put the fuel in. Thanks again! Bill

Thanks for the reply! I appreciate your thoughts. I understand the outer tanks drain into the inboard tanks and the levels can be deceptive. I may drain the tanks and measure as gradually refill. Last aircraft was a C-210L and didn't have this dilemma. I've never relied on the panel fuel gauges. The Rocket has a fuel management system that helps, considerably. Thanks again, Bill

Thank you Hank. Draining the tank and slowly refilling seems to be my best option at this time. Haven't had the Rocket very long and would rather not attempt inflight restarts just yet. My last aircraft was a Cessna 210 but have opted for a sportier plane now that we're empty nest and don't need the heavy hauler anymore. Didn't have this fuel measurement problem with the 210. Thanks again. Bill

I bought a 1979 231 with the Rocket Conversion. The aircraft has inboard and outboard (extended range) tanks. I'm certain the outboard tanks are 14.5 gallon capacity and further understand the inboard tanks are 40 gallon tanks, giving me roughly 109 gallons total tank capacity. My problem is getting an accurate measurement of how much fuel is in the inboard tanks. After using approximately 16 to 20 gallons from the inboard tanks, there is no visible fuel. However, the shape of the wing tells me there is definitely a good amount of fuel left. The last time I fueled the inboard tanks there was no fuel visible, but the tank topped off after adding approximately 16 gallons. Of course I added the fuel in 2-gallon increments and measured the level in attempts to calibrate a fuel dipstick. How do I measure the fuel in the tank that cannot be seen and a dipstick will not reach? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bill

Thanks Kortopates! I've looked at Weep No More. Seems their solution to dissolve all old sealant and reseal from the bare metal looks impressive -- as seven year warranty too. Thanks again! Bill

Thanks Shiny Moose. I have a little bit of homework to do. Gotta check with Griggs to see if they have the bladders to upfit aircraft with long range tank installation as well as apply for a ferry permit to get the aircraft (with speed brakes removed) to someone qualified to do the work.

No Don, you had it right. The speed brakes are out of the aircraft and in for maintenance/repair at Precise Flight. I just don't want to reinstall them without first having my fuel tanks resealed or bladders installed. The shop where my Mooney is won't attempt the tank job. I'm in a rock and a hard place.

Marauder, thanks for the link to Griggs. I have the A&P at the Mooney Service Center checking with them.

Thanks for the advice PT20J! Definitely will have a conversation with the A&P.

Thank you Lancecasper. The aircraft already had long range tanks. They tell me I'll lose 30 lbs useful load with the bladders. Just don't want to do a resealing again later. Hoping this is the last aircraft I buy. I'll talk to Precise Flight about the blank-off plates.

I have transitioned from Cessna to Mooney with the purchase of a 1979 M20K 231. The aircraft has the Rocket Upgrade as well as TKS, long range tanks and speed brakes. I experienced a speed brake failure and have then out to Precise Flight for repair and 1,000 hr. inspection. It is suspected that a fuel leak may have caused the right wing speed brake to fail. The maintenance facility performing the work will not do fuel tank resealing or bladder installation. I don't want to put the new speed brakes back in the aircraft until the fuel problem is fixed. So, I must fly the aircraft to another repair facility where they will install bladders, but want to fly it without the speed brakes reinstalled. These are 100 Series Precise Flight Electric Speed Brakes. Does anyone know of an STC or any other advice about flying the aircraft in this condition? There seems to be no difference in the airframe with or without the speed brake cartridges installed so aerodynamics shouldn't be a problem. I would think that as long as the cannon plug is secured inside the wing, the panels reinstalled and the circuit breaker tagged & placarded that there wouldn't be a problem. Only need to go about 25 minutes away to the desired Mooney Service Center. Any thoughts and ideas for this new Mooniac would be greatly appreciated.