Fuel Leak Rec

[crxcte]

Anyone recommend someone to fix a fuel leak in an F near OKC?

[N33GG]

Maxwell

[crxcte]

Thanks, I'm familiar with his location but was thinking maybe someone in Dallas or Denton would have experience.  Not necessary have to have a shop.

[DonMuncy]

It may depend on where the fuel leak is. Quite a few here have had a leak on the top of the wing, in the wing walk, which virtually anyone can fix. There have been many leaks where the fuel level sensor gasket on the inboard end leaked, and most anyone can fix those. However, a leak dripping off the bottom of the wing likely is going to require someone with experience.

You might call U S Aviation in Denton (an MSC) and ask them it they want to take it on.

[StevenL757]

Give Paul Beck a call. You may have heard of him and can look him up here: http://www.weepnomorellc.com/

 

I brought him to my hangar on Long Island a few years ago when I had a leak under the left wing (underneath where the teal color meets the white in my thumbnail picture). No fuel made its way into the cockpit at any time, as it was a small leak (no fuel smells were noted inside, fortunately), but obviously get yours addressed quickly before it turns nasty. If you're able to get the airplane to Willmar, MN (I realized you mentioned "near OKC"), then Paul will accommodate you without charging extra for an AOG or emergency-type situation. Exceptional skill, and a business ethic to match. Undoubtedly, I would use him again for a complete strip and reseal when the time comes.

 

If you really want someone closer to OKC, call Brian Kendrick in San Marcos, TX (830) 370-1190. He worked with Paul on several fuel tank repairs of late, and knows Paul's way of fixing leaks like you're possibly describing.

 

Let us know either way?

[captainglen]

  To a lot of Mooney owners a fuel leak can seem quite intimidating especially to those owners who do not hold an A&P rating. I must admit that I was intimidated at first. A small amount of leak (a seep) is permitted per the Mooney service manual as long as it is not into an unvented area so top of wing or gear bay is permissable.

  My seep was into the leading edge and over 3 months drained the left tank dry. This meant the leak had to be at the bottom inboard corner and the blue fuel dye stains confirmed. As it turned out the hardest part of the job was getting the tank inspection cover open without damaging the wing. Scraping the old sealant was a bit tedious but really only took a couple of hours.

  Using a A-2 gave a lot of work time on a cool day and working with a brush which I had trimmed the bristles to 1/2". I sealed way beyond the leak area to make sure that no fuel could work it's way under the repair.of course I cleaned the area and roughed the surface of the factory sealant.

  To close the tank I used an B-2 wich is not what I would reccomend because it is way to slow, a B-1/2 would be much better. There is an A/D to inspect the stringer and rib drains to make sure you have not clogged them before you close the tank. I allowed a whole week to cure before filling the tank for a leak check and another week before checking for leakage. I am absolutely 100% leak free for $80 worth of supplies.

[sleepingsquirrel]

I've fixed my own seeps/leaks. My AP said he would rather me do it. He was sure I didn't know what I was doing at first because I didn't have enough of the stuff in my hair, smeared all over the plane, and no cursing. It's not that hard.

[carusoam]

How did the rest of the sealant look while you were in there?

Fortunate to not have the rest showing failures of flaking or splitting...

Thanks for the detailed description of your work.

Best regards,

-a-

[dcrogers11]

  To a lot of Mooney owners a fuel leak can seem quite intimidating especially to those owners who do not hold an A&P rating. I must admit that I was intimidated at first. A small amount of leak (a seep) is permitted per the Mooney service manual as long as it is not into an unvented area so top of wing or gear bay is permissable.

  My seep was into the leading edge and over 3 months drained the left tank dry. This meant the leak had to be at the bottom inboard corner and the blue fuel dye stains confirmed. As it turned out the hardest part of the job was getting the tank inspection cover open without damaging the wing. Scraping the old sealant was a bit tedious but really only took a couple of hours.

  Using a A-2 gave a lot of work time on a cool day and working with a brush which I had trimmed the bristles to 1/2". I sealed way beyond the leak area to make sure that no fuel could work it's way under the repair.of course I cleaned the area and roughed the surface of the factory sealant.

  To close the tank I used an B-2 wich is not what I would reccomend because it is way to slow, a B-1/2 would be much better. There is an A/D to inspect the stringer and rib drains to make sure you have not clogged them before you close the tank. I allowed a whole week to cure before filling the tank for a leak check and another week before checking for leakage. I am absolutely 100% leak free for $80 worth of supplies.

 

How is the best way to pull the inspection covers without damaging the wing area or the cover?

 

Thanks,

Don

[N201MKTurbo]

http://www.aircraft-tool.com/shop/detail.aspx?PRODUCT_ID=SWG7

Use this...

[pinerunner]

Don Maxwell wrote a great article that you can find at his website

 

www.donmaxwell.com under publications.  I tried copying and pasting the whole link in but something stopped me. While I goggled my way to this site for the fuel leak issue the other articles there are great too. I'm headed right back. Even though I apparently live here I take field trips!

[Andy95W]

Should be this one:

http://www.donmaxwell.com/publications/MAPA_TEXT/_overlay/Fuel%20Tank%20Repair_How%20We%20Fix%20Them%202-05.htm

[Wakeup]

https://vimeo.com/115440532

[Wakeup]

Video of my tanks. I haven't seen any other pics but this looks terrible. I'm thankful I didn't have any problems. Looks like I could have easily. Troy

[Marauder]

https://vimeo.com/115440532

The red worms! I had the same red "overcoat" applied to my tanks. It came off in strips and looked like red worms.