Alex's M20D (continuous thread)

[carusoam]

It can be more than the cap.   It is whatever stops the filling of fuel up to the wing skin.

once fuel hits the fuel neck, the air is somewhat prevented easy escape from the tank.  Refueling requires displacement of all the air with gas.  The last few gallons of air need to get out.  They do this by escaping through the tank's vent.  It requires slowly filling the last few gallons to allow the fuel to settle in and air to escape.

This is another sign that air actually has viscosity and resists flow!

The fuel safety nozzles also make this more of a challenge.  The fuel is delivered faster than the air can escape.  The safety nozzle senses the back pressure caused by the fuel in the tank and shuts off.  Use patience, fill the last few gallons slowly, displace more air.  The tank's vent is up hill toward the other end of the tank.

Alex has some good pictures of the vent and it's location as well!

So much to learn in this thread!

Best regards,

-a-

[cctsurf]

1 hour ago, mooniac15u said:

I think it's more than just the depth of the caps.  If I recall correctly on the early models the caps sat lower in a compartment with a cover that you had to open to access the cap.

Mooniac, that is exactly what I have been trying to say.  There is a cover that goes over the top of that thermos style cap, it is, like I said, 2" below the skin of the plane.  I don't have a picture of my fuel filler right now, 

1 hour ago, carusoam said:

Nice pictures.  The access panel looks remarkably new compared to the wing skin around it.

Those aren't my pictures, I searched around the internet, specifically mooneyspace to find ones that would demonstrate this.

[carusoam]

Searching around a plane wreck yard may help find a fuel cap, neck, panel assembly that would be beneficial to your plane.

Used parts might make a good solution.  Alan the plane wrecker might have these things lying around(?)

thoughts that come to mind...

Best regards,

-a-

[cctsurf]

9 minutes ago, carusoam said:

Searching around a plane wreck yard may help find a fuel cap, neck, panel assembly that would be beneficial to your plane.

That was essentially my plan.  If you look at the OP's pictures, you will note that the access panel into which the early filler neck is placed is a distinctly different shape than the later model (I recognize it because I have the same panel, it's kinda trapazoidal shaped).  I'm not certain the replacement could be accomplished without cutting skin, something I'm loath to do for this sort of mod.  I wonder it it could be inset inside that original shape, but I am, for some reason, lacking the interest necessary to find out, as mentioned above, the fuel tank is larger than my bladder.

[cctsurf]

This is what the early model fuel fillers look like.  The depression is more like 1 inch, not 2.

Looks to me like a late model filler would fit into the panel.

Edited September 9, 2016 by cctsurf
Clarification

[Raptor05121]

Soda blasted, etched, and alodined. Sealant begins tomorrow.

[Hank]

Holy cow! That looks good!

[Raptor05121]

Everytime I get impatient and start to pull my hair out, I get surprises like this. She better not leak for a LONG LONG LONG LONG time

 

[bonal]

While Sam Husky and Skates threads were/are of great interest to many. The progress and patience you have shown and shared on bringing your Mooney back into shape is truly worth the read nice to see progress.

[Raptor05121]

I appreciate the mental support. I get texts/messages/calls from friends and family asking "when will your plane be done?!?!" on the weekly and sometimes I get discouraged. I've learned things when it comes time for future maintenance (hello written invoice with signed date/monetary completion estimates), but I have a feeling the wait will be worth it on this bird.

[xcrmckenna]

I'm sure it will be well worth the wait. Did they give you a date for the seal?


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[Raptor05121]

4 hours ago, xcrmckenna said:

I'm sure it will be well worth the wait. Did they give you a date for the seal?


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He supposedly started them yesterday. I'm not sure how long it takes. But he told me 2 weeks until airworthy. Not sure if that means Christmas 2018 or 2 weeks. We'll see...

[Hank]

Tank sealant takes a couple of days to dry, before adding gas. Let them cure, inspect, touch up, cure again. Then add inspection panels and cure again again. Touch up paint, redo wing walk (there's an Inspection panel under it. Reinstall tank drains. What did I forget? Fill her up and sit for a day or two, check for leaks to verify everything is right. Put inspection panels back on behind the tank where he was looking for leaks. Did he do your fuel senders or seals? Gotta put them back, reinstall interior side panels and seats.

Finish up any other work . . .

It'll be nice when it's done!

[Raptor05121]

I believe he is using the pressurized tank method with air to check for leaks. Something about sealing off the vents and hooking up a balloon to an airspeed indicator and let it sit for a day and see if it reads the same over time, etc.

I'm sure it will work beautifully and will not leak for a long time.

[Raptor05121]

 

/

[Hank]

Looks good! 

[Mcstealth]

Congratulations

 

[Raptor05121]

Getting really close. I believe he has another layer to add then close them up, pressure test, then leak test with gas. I will also be making my own "dip stick" when we add fuel to the empty tanks.

The actual annual inspection itself is complete. After this, I'm taking her home

[rbridges]

43 minutes ago, Raptor05121 said:

Getting really close. I believe he has another layer to add then close them up, pressure test, then leak test with gas. I will also be making my own "dip stick" when we add fuel to the empty tanks.

The actual annual inspection itself is complete. After this, I'm taking her home

keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[blaine beaven]

Getting really close. I believe he has another layer to add then close them up, pressure test, then leak test with gas. I will also be making my own "dip stick" when we add fuel to the empty tanks.

The actual annual inspection itself is complete. After this, I'm taking her home

I had always built my own dipsticks, but with this plane I decided to try this: http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/pages/ps/fueltesters/fuelhawkuniv16.php

I recommend this highly. It is super accurate.


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[Raptor05121]

46 minutes ago, blaine beaven said:

 

 

I had always built my own dipsticks, but with this plane I decided to try this: http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/pages/ps/fueltesters/fuelhawkuniv16.php

I recommend this highly. It is super accurate.


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I like that. I'll order it soon

[Hector]

Home Depot paint stick. The original I made I keep as a master and have made several copies (with more paint sticks). I keep one in the plane at all times and a couple in the hangar. When they wear out a bit I make a replacement from the original master.


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[Raptor05121]

Does this count as progress?

[Guest]

12 minutes ago, Raptor05121 said:

Does this count as progress?

I hear Marauder's Angels warming up their voices getting ready to sing, I can hardly wait.

Clarence

[xcrmckenna]

That looks like great news....


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