dfgreene61 Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 I spent a couple hours yesterday searching high and low for tank leaks on my 201. Didn't find a thing except for a fuel seep on top of the wing forward, coming through the non-skid coating (photo attached). This 82 has never had any work done regarding leaks. So I'm sure it's overdue. Have any of you experienced this type of leak? Should I patch or bite the bullett and have it completely resealed. I really wouldn't worry much about it however I'm planning on a re-paint this summer. I'm going to Lasar for my 1st annual with the plane next month, so it would be a good time to also have a patch or re-seal done. I know this topic has been beat to death however after searching I couldn't find any mention of a leak under the non-skid. Quote
Mooneymite Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Bladders! (Sorry, I couldn't resist). Quote
dfgreene61 Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Posted March 7, 2014 That's definately an option. Lasar is on the O & N site as an installer. Plus it would give me the incentive to loose some weight 1 Quote
carusoam Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 It is a popular spot to get a leak... Relatively easy spot to patch... Unless there is a trend of all the rivets on top doing the same... Do you have a lot of smoking rivets (typical of my '65C?) Do you want to refurbish your plane (some people do) Thoughts that come to mind, -a- 1 Quote
dfgreene61 Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Posted March 7, 2014 I'm not sure what a smoking rivet is however all the rivets I can see look normal. The only place I could detect a leak was this one spot under the non-skid. I do plan a refurb this year. Updated avionics and paint. Quote
carusoam Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 http://www.mechanicsupport.com/smoking_rivet.html An example of what could be the source of a leak around a rivet.... Best regards, -a- Quote
gjensen Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 My 96 201 has a weep in the same place. I called Cole aviation, it is quite common in that spot, they are patching mine when I take it in for annual in May. Quote
Jeff_S Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 "Smoking rivets" are rivets that have come slightly loose over time, and the vibrations of flying cause a thin black residue to flow along the skin backward as though they are "smoking." I also get slight evaporation leaks along the tops of my wings, but no blue stain at all. I ignore them. Quote
Mooneymite Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 That's definately an option. Lasar is on the O & N site as an installer. Plus it would give me the incentive to loose some weight Actually, I was kidding about bladders. If you only have one seep/leak in the wingwalk, it is relatively easy to re-seal. You may have several years before you need something more done. I'm a big believer in fixing only what's broken. 1 Quote
dfgreene61 Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Posted March 7, 2014 Thanks for the Smoking Rivets education. I don't see anything like that but I do have some screws that look that way. I had all stainless screws added to an arrow I used to own, might be a good idea for the 201 as well. Good to hear that leak is not uncommon. Perhaps having Lasar just patch it for now is the way to go. Quote
dfgreene61 Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Posted March 7, 2014 "I'm a big believer in fixing only what's broken." -- Amen to that. Quote
KSMooniac Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 If you're about to start down the refurb/upgrade trail and plan on keeping the plane for a long time, you should give serious consideration to a full reseal prior to paint if your tanks have never been done. There is always a risk of paint damage around the panels with the reseal operation. Depending on the paint scheme, it might be trivial to do a paint fix though. If I were you, I'd have LASAR give you a thorough assessment of your tank condition while you're there. If that common leak is your only current issue and they think you have years of service left, then it might be wise to just do the local patch and kick that can down the road. Spending tank (or bladder) money on avionics and paint is a LOT more fun, trust me. FWIW, I had to do my tanks at the beginning of year two of my ownership. The seeps turned into big leaks during the winter, so I just bit the bullet and got the Weep No More treatment. That was 2008 for my 1977 J, with some patches and one reseal done by non-experts over the years. Quote
kortopates Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 That is a very common spot for a minor leak after filling the tank. If we're talking about the same thing, you should be seeing small circular wet spot from fuel real close to the door - not even what is referred to as a seep but more akin to wet stain after fill-up. This is one of a couple screws, not a rivet, below the non-skid paint or (3M adhesive covering) that gets it sealant cracked from the normal flexing that results from standing on the wing there. It's often fixable without even removing the screw with some loctite sealant and even super glue. LASAR will fix it in a few minutes. If its really that bad, R&R'ing the screw with fresh sealant applied may be warranted. If your getting ready to get your bird painted I would second Scott's suggestion to get an assessment of the sealant to your tanks done before painting; you don't want to see your new paint needing touch up after a tank re-seal. Quote
NotarPilot Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 My 78 J also leaks in that exact same spot. I was shown it on the prebuy and the solution I was told was to use the right tank for about 15 minutes of flying after filling up the tanks. Seems to work fine. The leak is very minor so I see no need to spend the money to do a complete reseal. Last reseal was done in 2009 on my plane. Quote
dfgreene61 Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Posted March 7, 2014 Man I love this site. Thanks for your comments folks. It's very reassuring to be able to bend the ear of those who have "been there, done that". Quote
rbridges Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 unless you just can't swing it, I would go for total strip/reseal or bladders. Patching is generally not guaranteed, and if one area is failing, there is probably going to be more in the near future. Quote
fantom Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Patching is generally not guaranteed, and if one area is failing, there is probably going to be more in the near future. Usually true, but not always, and definitely not in the case of the very common minor seep in the forward wing walk. A known weakness, usually caused by having women of the size Marauder likes stand on it for too long. DMax patched my little leak several times over about a ten year period and it still came back. He advised me to leave it alone unless it got big and I could smell fuel. Good advise for this particular minor annoyance. If you insist on carving up your wing walk, and patching it, install an oversized tinnerman washer. That should do the trick. It's what I did three years ago when I had the plane painted. Note that I've NEVER had a leak under the wing....knock wood. Or, if you have about ten grand just burning a hole in your pocket go for it, even as you don't need to. Quote
WardHolbrook Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Bladders! (Sorry, I couldn't resist). (I'm sorry too, it is hard to resist. ) 3 Quote
fantom Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 (I'm sorry too, it is hard to resist. ) I know what you mean..... 3 Quote
Marauder Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Usually true, but not always, and definitely not in the case of the very common minor seep in the forward wing walk. A known weakness, usually caused by having women of the size Marauder likes stand on it for too long. DMax patched my little leak several times over about a ten year period and it still came back. He advised me to leave it alone unless it got big and I could smell fuel. Good advise for this particular minor annoyance. If you insist on carving up your wing walk, and patching it, install an oversized tinnerman washer. That should do the trick. It's what I did three years ago when I had the plane painted. Note that I've NEVER had a leak under the wing....knock wood. Or, if you have about ten grand just burning a hole in your pocket go for it, even as you don't need to. Leave my lady out of this: Sent using Tapatalk Quote
Marauder Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Gary's solution for those with a small leak... Sent using Tapatalk Quote
laytonl Posted March 8, 2014 Report Posted March 8, 2014 I got lost in all the discussion, however, if it is a leak on the top side around a screw, it is an easy fix. Spruce has the correct sealant, you just take the screw out, put a dab of sealant on the screw and reinstall and it is fixed. The smallest tube of the sealant costs about $15 and you need about 2% of the tube and the rest is wasted. Lee 2 Quote
fantom Posted March 8, 2014 Report Posted March 8, 2014 Gary's solution for those with a small leak... Sent using Tapatalk Chris....you've got me in trouble again. Seems like we have a self appointed thread cop who doesn't appreciate our up-scale.humor even when it relates to the initial issue. Lighten up Dave Oh, and that real expensive sealer is good for about two years, at best, when used on the seeping wing walk. 1 Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted March 8, 2014 Report Posted March 8, 2014 FWIW that screw is on a reinforcement bar that is in the tank it strengthen the area under the wing walk. It gets a lot of stress when you get in and out of the plane. I would do what Laytonl said. Should take about 15 minutes. I would add clean the screw hole out until there is no old sealant left. Use a small drill bit to get the old sealant out of the bottom of the nut plate and use a new screw. Let the excess sealant ooze out but don't wipe it off, let it cure and scrape it off with your finger nail the next time you are out at the airport. Quote
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