Water under the back seat

[Guitarmaster]

During the annual last year, when i pulled the back seats out, there was water.  Enough that is was slightly pooled.  We tried to trace the origin, but had no luck.  I don't know why I didn't think to come here.  I don't know if it is wet anymore, but it may be.  

She sits in the rain when I go to work which is the only time she is outside.  I was thinking leaking window, but that was not it.  Maybe a skin seam.  Nope.  There does;t seem to be any tell-tale trails that would indicate running water.

The annual is coming up and if I find it wet back there, I would like to have some ideas of where to search.

Has anybody had this issue?
 

 

[mike20papa]

Water under the back seat..are you sure you don't have a woodwing A model?!  The A model has drain holes in the center section of the wing.  The aft fuel tank is under the back seat and sits on wood runners, so any water that collects under the tank can drain out.  The water usually comes from the absence of the sealing tape that is suppose to go under the upper wing root faring strip.  It is suppose to seal out rain/wash water that runs down the upper surface of the wing, hits the fuselage and will then run into the cabin if not sealed off.  I use a heavy plastic tape used to seal the vapor barrier in foundation construction.  What ever you do, don't use any silicone sealant under the faring strip, it adheres to alumn. and will never let go.

[N201MKTurbo]

Check your fresh air scoop. I think There is a drain line that goes to the bottom of the plane. It could be plugged. The sealant around the plenum could be failing.

Also it could be getting in through the air vents on the side of the fuselage. It could just be condensation.

Edited December 25, 2015 by N201MKTurbo

[Guitarmaster]

Just now, mike20papa said:

Water under the back seat..are you sure you don't have a woodwing A model?!  The A model has drain holes in the center section of the wing.  The aft fuel tank is under the back seat and sits on wood runners, so any water that collects under the tank can drain out.  The water usually comes from the absence of the sealing tape that is suppose to go under the upper wing root faring strip.  It is suppose to seal out rain/wash water that runs down the upper surface of the wing, hits the fuselage and will then run into the cabin if not sealed off.  I use a heavy plastic tape used to seal the vapor barrier in foundation construction.  What ever you do, don't use any silicone sealant under the faring strip, it adheres to alumn. and will never let go.

It's funny you mention the wing root faring.  My buddy with a 63C said I should check there as well.  I would never have thought of that.  Thanks!

[Guitarmaster]

Just now, N201MKTurbo said:

Check your fresh air scoop. I think There is a drain line that goes to the bottom of the plane. It could be plugged. The sealant around the plenum could be failing.

I DID think about that, but I never got around to checking it.  I have to access that under the headliner correct?

[N201MKTurbo]

Yes, you have to take down the head liner to access it.

[Guitarmaster]

Yes, you have to take down the head liner to access it.

OK. Thanks!

The depth and breadth of knowledge of the people on this site never fails to amaze me!

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[rbridges]

I think I have a pic in my gallery where the tubing came loose. I had water dripping from the ceiling whenever I flew in the rain. 

[Guest]

27 minutes ago, Guitarmaster said:

I DID think about that, but I never got around to checking it.  I have to access that under the headliner correct?

You can fashion a "snake" out of long length of twisted safety wire then you work that through the drain pipe on the belly.

Clarence

[bonal]

I guess the stupid question would be do you put a proper cover on it when it's out side.

[Guitarmaster]

5 hours ago, rbridges said:

I think I have a pic in my gallery where the tubing came loose. I had water dripping from the ceiling whenever I flew in the rain. 

Thanks!  It always helps to have an image of the subject being dealt with.

 

[Bob_Belville]

Yup, it is very likely that the drain tubing has come loose at the ceiling fresh air scoop. Not sure about your F but my '66E  had a weak or no hose clamp securing the drain tube. Take down the headliner panel and you should be able to see what's happened.

If you want to verify that this is the culprit just open the scoop and run some water through the scoop. If the back seat gets wet instead of the water coming out the tubing though a hole in the belly behind the back seat...   

[Yetti]

There are also some fresh air vents on either side.   If you get some nice sideways Texas rain at the correct angle it could come in.   I would never think that rain could get in the static ports.  Sideways Texas rain did.

[Guitarmaster]

On December 25, 2015 at 10:03 AM, Yetti said:

There are also some fresh air vents on either side.   If you get some nice sideways Texas rain at the correct angle it could come in.   I would never think that rain could get in the static ports.  Sideways Texas rain did.

I investigated those vents.  Although I could see how rain could possibly get in, I saw no tell-tale signs that it actually had.

[Mooneymite]

On 12/25/2015 at 11:53 PM, M20Doc said:

You can fashion a "snake" out of long length of twisted safety wire then you work that through the drain pipe on the belly.

Clarence

Yes!

I would do this to check for a blocked drain line before tearing into the headliner.  Do the easy stuff first!

[Marauder]

On December 25, 2015 at 10:03 AM, Yetti said: There are also some fresh air vents on either side.   If you get some nice sideways Texas rain at the correct angle it could come in.   I would never think that rain could get in the static ports.  Sideways Texas rain did.

I investigated those vents.  Although I could see how rain could possibly get in, I saw no tell-tale signs that it actually had.

Another possibility is that the hose itself is cracked somewhere behind the interior and leaking. I have also heard of over zealous interior remodeling people putting a screw into one.

If the side windows are leaking, you should see evidence of this between the insulation and the skin. Whatever the cause you need to find it and get it fixed. Otherwise the boogeyman is gonna get you.

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