Fuel access panel screws

[peevee]

We got some that are leaking and rusty, I'm going to reseal them per dons instructions but I'd like to put new hardware in.  Does anyone know what size they are? Search turns up lots of sealing advice but no screw size. 

[laytonl]

On my J model I believe they are AN507's 10-32.  I don't recall the length though.  Lee

[Yetti]

I think it depends on the plane.   Some are recessed.  Some came stainless from the factory, best I can tell.

[Guest]

Knowing which model would be helpful.

Clarence

[peevee]

Figured they were all the same. It's a K 

[Guest]

12 hours ago, peevee said:

Figured they were all the same. It's a K 

They should be AN507C1032R7, be sure to carefully clean the sealed nut plate of old sealant before installing new screws.

Clarence

[peevee]

13 hours ago, M20Doc said:

They should be AN507C1032R7, be sure to carefully clean the sealed nut plate of old sealant before installing new screws.

Clarence

I'm guessing I should drain the tank to be able to accomplish that successfully? 

[LANCECASPER]

Are they on the top under the wing walk? 

[peevee]

1 hour ago, LANCECASPER said:

Are they on the top under the wing walk? 

No, the bottom ones. 

[LANCECASPER]

46 minutes ago, peevee said:

No, the bottom ones. 

http://donmaxwell.com/publications/MAPA_TEXT/_overlay/Fuel Tank Repair_How We Fix Them 2-05.htm

This link under the paragraph that says "Panel Screws" says you don't have to drain the tanks.

[peevee]

1 hour ago, LANCECASPER said:

http://donmaxwell.com/publications/MAPA_TEXT/_overlay/Fuel Tank Repair_How We Fix Them 2-05.htm

This link under the paragraph that says "Panel Screws" says you don't have to drain the tanks.

Other threads here suggest you should in order to get in there and clean out the sealant from the nut plates. Not sure I want fuel dripping in my eye while I'm working 

[LANCECASPER]

5 hours ago, peevee said:

Other threads here suggest you should in order to get in there and clean out the sealant from the nut plates. Not sure I want fuel dripping in my eye while I'm working 

 

Whether you take Dons advice is completely up to you. Of course he's done it hundreds of times and you're thinking of doing it the first time.


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[peevee]

17 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

 

Whether you take Dons advice is completely up to you. Of course he's done in hundreds of times and you're thinking of doing it the first time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

And yet his instructions say nothing of cleaning out old sealant. There are people here that have done this and suggest it. 

 

Do you have any actual input on the subject? 

[Guest]

6 hours ago, peevee said:

I'm guessing I should drain the tank to be able to accomplish that successfully? 

There is a risk that when you remove the screws(I do one at a time) they may leak.  The plate nut is supposed to be fully sealed to the flange with an O ring and sealant.  At times during assembly sealant is pushed into the plate nut, this combine with too long a screw can puncture the plate nut.

Once the screw is removed, I take a small drill bit which will fit into the plate nut and twirl it between my finger to clear out old sealant, a small shot of compressed air blows away any loose particles.  Install new screws and add sealant per Don's recommendation to those few which are leaking.  A bit of acetone easily removes old fuel stains.

Forgot to say that generally, defueling is not required.

Clarence

[LANCECASPER]

5 hours ago, peevee said:

And yet his instructions say nothing of cleaning out old sealant. There are people here that have done this and suggest it. 

 

Do you have any actual input on the subject? 

Actually yes I do. I already gave it to you. And by the way, you're welcome.

The times I've done it I've taken the old screw out, cleaned the threads, put Permatex Aviation Sealant #3 (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/permatexprod4.php?clickkey=288791) on the new screw and reinstalled and it has worked very well every time. But those aren't my instructions I just followed Don's.

But if you like the other people's instructions better follow theirs'.