Fuel Tanks

[22 others]

I visited Melbourne, AR (42A) last week and discovered that 100ll was $3.57, so I topped off the tanks and flew ten or fifteen minutes home and parked the Mooney. These blue spots showed up over the next week or so.

 

And I have a leak. Or a slow seep. Or a stain... And it does smell a little like fuel in the cabin when you first open the door. 

 

We'll check the fuel sender gaskets and make sure they're not leaking.

 

 

After a talk with the local AP/IA, he's wiling to give patching it a try. I guess he'll use Don Maxwell's vacuum cleaner and plexiglass trick. 

 

And we'll follow the Maintenance manual for patching the fuel leaks.

 

We're going the patch route for this one.  Anybody have any tips for when the leak is on the top of the wing? Anything that will save us a little hassle or time? (and maybe my checkbook while we're at it)

 

 

 

[Yooper Rocketman]

If the leaks are on screw holes, you can reseal them by removing the screw, dabbing tank sealant into the hole and on the screw and reinstalling.  If they are on rivet holes, your screwed.  They have to be sealed from the inside.

[Hank]

If the leaks are on screw holes, you can reseal them by removing the screw, dabbing tank sealant into the hole and on the screw and reinstalling.  If they are on rivet holes, your screwed.  They have to be sealed from the inside.

But if it's running down the dihedral from further out the wing and coming through where it pools up, this will only move the blue stain around. Do the vacuum test and patch the actual leak, not where you happen to see it.

Good luck. I did a full reseal at Wet Wingologists in 2010, no problems since, still under warranty.

[carl]

Right Mate,

 I guess your from down under in aussyland. Blooming onion and all.( just a little joke )

 

I had the same problem , Fixed it , fly 30 minitues on the tank side that leaks  before you park it for the night. 

 

or for me don't fill it up all the way . it expands and squeezes out .  It is not the bottom side. 

 

 

Of course now I  have to put off sealing my tanks , darn 

 

carl

[carusoam]

The nice thing about the leak at each rivet...

You pretty much know what to fix.

The challenging part of the leaking rivet is how to access them...

Access may be best from a panel on the bottom.

A fiber optic camera may help identify if a patch is worth trying.

If you look inside and see everything is cracked and flaking, go right to plan B...

Best regards,

-a-

[Wakeup]

I have a guy

[carl]

Troy Said 

I have a guy 

 

Ha ha Classic. 

[StinkBug]

If the leaks are on screw holes, you can reseal them by removing the screw, dabbing tank sealant into the hole and on the screw and reinstalling.  If they are on rivet holes, your screwed.  They have to be sealed from the inside.

 

I have a couple screws on the access panel right next to the door that leak when the tank is full. What is the proper sealant to use for this procedure?

[Yetti]

The Don Maxwell article says to use Permetex #2 for the screws

[Alhall]

Pro seal buy small tube from Aircraft Spruce and hand mix small amount by hand. Remove screw apply sealent and install screw.

[Piloto]

I have a guy

That's what my niece said for her Prom Night.

Good Luck

José