Flynnupe94 Posted December 15, 2015 Report Posted December 15, 2015 Im in the process of looking for companies to strip and reseal the tanks in my Mooney, Does anyone know anything about or have used Houston Tank Specialists near Houston?
Jeff_S Posted December 15, 2015 Report Posted December 15, 2015 They were a sponsor at the 3rd Annual Mooney Summit at Panama City Beach in October, and they seem to be diligent and well-meaning. I can't recall if they are using a pure chemical strip process like Weep No More or not, but you have probably already asked them that question. I have no personal experience with them, but their interest in and support of the Mooney marketplace, at least at the Summit, would indicate they are trying to do a good job. 1
DonMuncy Posted December 16, 2015 Report Posted December 16, 2015 I haven't had them work on my tanks. but I know Carl (the main guy). I have seen other work he did and he is super meticulous.
GeorgePerry Posted December 16, 2015 Report Posted December 16, 2015 Don't look for close - look for good. Here's a thread that offers some information http://mooneyspace.com/topic/15056-fuel-leaks-weep-no-more-here-i-come/#comment-208017
ryoder Posted December 17, 2015 Report Posted December 17, 2015 I went for close and got a great deal and great service. Avoid the hype. My 2 cents. 2
LANCECASPER Posted December 17, 2015 Report Posted December 17, 2015 2 hours ago, ryoder said: I went for close and got a great deal and great service. Avoid the hype. My 2 cents. Where did you go?
Wakeup Posted December 17, 2015 Report Posted December 17, 2015 I went for close because I was scared to fly after seeing the tank after it was drained. I felt trapped. A year later and I am still messing with my tanks. I have only flown prob 10-15 hours this year because of incompetence. Looking forward to getting all of this past me and would highly recommend going to the pros. I took this picture last week after I drained the tanks. I think I could have sealed it better.. I can see uncovered areas. Troy
ryoder Posted December 17, 2015 Report Posted December 17, 2015 6 hours ago, LANCECASPER said: Where did you go? I went to the shop that did the ferry flight and annual on my Mooney when I bought it. At KCLW Bender Aviation. Cost me just under 1k for each tank so around 1950 all in for a complete strip and reseal. 1
Brandontwalker Posted December 17, 2015 Report Posted December 17, 2015 6 hours ago, LANCECASPER said: Where did you go? I went to the shop that did the ferry flight and annual on my Mooney when I bought it. At KCLW Bender Aviation. Cost me just under 1k for each tank so around 1950 all in for a complete strip and reseal. Sounds like you got an incredible deal. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
steingar Posted December 17, 2015 Report Posted December 17, 2015 I don't see how a shop could completely strip and reseal tanks for 2 AMUs unless they had undocumented A&Ps from Latin America doing the work. I bet the tanks start leaking again in a couple years, sorry. Only permanent fixes I've seen from lots and lots of reading here and elsewhere are a reseal with a Mooney specialist or bladders. Either way is spendy. While looking I had a number of owners tell me they got cheap reseals. I could smell gas coming out of most. Airplanes all have specially expensive stuff. Used to be just the engines, but the paint got added in when govco started tightening up the environmental regulations. Can't say I blame them, that stripper is nasty stuff. With Mooney's its tank seals as well. Any rag airplane you get to worry about fabric. I like the bladders best. While more expensive than the reseal it is a permanent fix. If they leak they can be reconditioned in situ for around 1 AMU. The expensive reseal wiil last your ownership of the airplane, but were I buying an aircraft sealed 10 or 20 years ago I'd worry. No such worry with the bladders.
mikesideup Posted December 17, 2015 Report Posted December 17, 2015 I went through the same thing 2 yrs ago. After 9 months I bit the bullet and took my Bravo to wetwingologist in Florida. ( I live in Ohio). Edison is great to deal with , gave me a fixed price and time to complete was 2 weeks. He did a complete strip and reseal on all tanks including the long range tanks and they look fantastic. Plus he gives a written warranty of 7 yrs. I highly recommend.
Hank Posted December 17, 2015 Report Posted December 17, 2015 5 minutes ago, mikesideup said: I went through the same thing 2 yrs ago. After 9 months I bit the bullet and took my Bravo to wetwingologist in Florida. ( I live in Ohio). Edison is great to deal with , gave me a fixed price and time to complete was 2 weeks. He did a complete strip and reseal on all tanks including the long range tanks and they look fantastic. Plus he gives a written warranty of 7 yrs. I highly recommend. I did the same from southern Ohio in 2010. Great service, on time, 7 year warranty. Edison is a great guy!
TWinter Posted April 26, 2016 Report Posted April 26, 2016 Just thought I would post some updated pricing for those expecting to have to make a move on a reseal. I got a quote from Cole Aviation on install of 64 gal. bladder system. He suggested either he or I could buy the bladders direct from O&N (no difference other than sales tax). The bladders show a retail of $8575 and his quote to install is $6000 for the 64 gal. There is $2000 increase in labor from the 54.8 gal to 64.. So you are looking at $14,575 for 64 gal. bladders. Also looked at option #2 as a re-seal and adding long range tanks from Paul at Weep No More. Looking at $6800 for reseal and another $7000 for the long-range tanks and install. Total of $13,800 Bladders could be done pretty quickly. Weep No More is scheduling for October. -Tom
Raptor05121 Posted April 27, 2016 Report Posted April 27, 2016 Why does it cost so much for a strip and reseal? I've heard of some places in the $2k-$4k range.
DAVIDWH Posted April 27, 2016 Report Posted April 27, 2016 It is not always the tanks. In my case the 100ll smell in the cockpit turned out to be a fuel sender gasket. New gasket, odor gone. With that kind of luck, I should be buying lottery tickets.
N9453V Posted April 27, 2016 Report Posted April 27, 2016 Depending on when they were last sealed, a repair might be sufficient. My tanks were resealed in 2005 by Dugosh in Kerrville, late last year I noticed my right tank was starting to seep in the landing gear well and on the wing walk, but the sealant from 2005 was in good shape. I had Don Maxwell patch it and do my annual at the same time. I believe he charges $850 per tank, but there is no warranty. So far so good though. -Andrew
Chris from PA Posted April 27, 2016 Report Posted April 27, 2016 I just dropped my C model with Paul in MN this week. I'll pass a PIREP when all is said and done but I expect nothing but excellent service and workmanship. I also anticipate this will be the last time I think about fuel leaks for the next decade or so. 1
ryoder Posted April 27, 2016 Report Posted April 27, 2016 23 hours ago, Raptor05121 said: Why does it cost so much for a strip and reseal? I've heard of some places in the $2k-$4k range. Go to Bender Aviation at KCLW. Tell him I sent you. It will be 2k for a complete strip and reseal. 1
redraider Posted May 1, 2016 Report Posted May 1, 2016 Here is my experience: 20 Hours post reseal and all is still good.
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