Leaking fuel tank

[DrTimcat]

Just posting for general information and this may have been covered in a previous feed. I am purchasing a 95 Ovation and it has a leak that has just recently developed when filling over 20 gallons in the left wing tank. Any ideas on the best location to get the left tank resealed and approximate cost I am looking at? I am located in the central midwest (St Louis area). I heard about Weep No More in Minnesota and Wet-Wingologists in For Lauderdale. Any experience with either or others anyone has had experience with?

[N201MKTurbo]

How about a picture?

[dogbocks]

Depending on where it is leaking it might be an easy spot for a regular A&P to remove an inspection panel and reseal a small patch. Or it could be much harder to track down the leak and be hard to get to on the inside, or multiple leaks. A pic would be helpful. 

[DrTimcat]

I don't have picture yet, but will try to get one. I am very sure it is a small leak when the tank is filled above 20 gallons. The seller notified me of this and that it occurred one time when he filled the tanks on his last trip in March. He said the local Mooney Service Center did not want to look at it and referred him to those two centers above. I am sure the leak must be towards the outside edge of the tank if it only leaks above 20 gallons. 

 

[DrTimcat]

And Thank You Both for the quick responses!

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard DrT.

The good news is... Ovations have really good tank sealing in their history...

The challenge... find where the fuel is leaking from...

A Long body fuel tank is about 50gal standard...

Most leaks are sun/heat related over time... but those are at the top of the tanks...

There are two fuel level floats at the half-way mark...  sounds like a good possibility for a place to look...

 

Full strip and reseals go to the four centers around the country... you probably don’t need to go there yet.   

 

Start with a pic of what you know so far...

Fuel has a tendency to leak from one place... then show up a distance away...  blue staining gives several hints...

 

@kj2016 inviting KJ because he may have some experience... or be interested in this thread.

Best regards,

-a-

[Cody Stallings]

It has been my experience owning an operating Mooneys. That a Can of 3M EC776 can be your friend in situations like this.

 

[Mufflerbearing]

First of all, congratulations on your purchase!  Ovations are amazing planes. 

I have studied this topic to death on this forum and I would have to agree with Carusoam on this.  There are two float level senders on each tank.  One inboard and one outboard.  I believe the stock gasket is cork and it may be leaking.  Some investigation is in order before sending it off to be resealed.

Both companies you have mentioned above have excellent reputations for sealing tanks.  Both are expensive for whole tank reseals. 

[DrTimcat]

Will have the float level sensors checked out. Thanks so much for all the great advice. You all are amazing and very helpful.

[carusoam]

Since you are in there...

You have an opportunity to do some research on what you have...

If you have old fuel level sensors...  and are not yet familiar with Cies FL sensors...

Going with digital accuracy may improve things a bit for you...

PP thoughts only, not a mechanic...

Best regards,

-a-

[Yetti]

There is an inspection point just outside the tank to access the outboard fuel sender.   It's just at the back of the wing.  Might just need tightening of some screws.  Know the difference between a fuel tank inspection point and regular one.

[Tom 4536]

On 4/30/2021 at 4:09 PM, DrTimcat said:

Just posting for general information and this may have been covered in a previous feed. I am purchasing a 95 Ovation and it has a leak that has just recently developed when filling over 20 gallons in the left wing tank. Any ideas on the best location to get the left tank resealed and approximate cost I am looking at? I am located in the central midwest (St Louis area). I heard about Weep No More in Minnesota and Wet-Wingologists in For Lauderdale. Any experience with either or others anyone has had experience with?

Weep No More just told me they are booked through September 2022.

[PT20J]

Any PIREPS on Houston Tank Specialists?

 

[carusoam]

20 minutes ago, PT20J said:

Any PIREPS on Houston Tank Specialists?

 

There should be a few around here...

Look for Carl Sharon the proprietor...  He is an MSer as well...

He is also a supporter of the Mooney Summit.  I sat in on a table session with him and his wife...  

PP thoughts only...

Best regards,

-a-

https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q=Houston tank&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&search_and_or=and

[Guest]

10 hours ago, PT20J said:

Any PIREPS on Houston Tank Specialists?

 

Yes, run away quickly.  They did the tanks including Monroy long range on a J for a client of mine. It leaked from the day it was picked up. The plane had to go to Weep no More to fixed right.

Clarence 

[mooneyflyfast]

On 6/1/2021 at 7:15 AM, M20Doc said:

Yes, run away quickly.  They did the tanks including Monroy long range on a J for a client of mine. It leaked from the day it was picked up. The plane had to go to Weep no More to fixed right.

Clarence 

They did one of the tanks on my J a few years ago. I have had 0 problems.  Did they try to fix your clients tank under warranty? They gave me a written warranty but I haven’t needed it so far.

[Guest]

4 hours ago, mooneyflyfast said:

They did one of the tanks on my J a few years ago. I have had 0 problems.  Did they try to fix your clients tank under warranty? They gave me a written warranty but I haven’t needed it so far.

The airplane was 1000 miles from him, it should never have left in the condition it was in.  The workmanship was below standards, the paperwork sucked.  Certainly not a great performance.

Clarence

[RobertGary1]

On 5/31/2021 at 1:47 PM, Tom 4536 said:

Weep No More just told me they are booked through September 2022.

Can't imagine any legitimate tank shop not booked out to the latter part of the year at this point.

 

-Robert

[laytonl]

On 4/30/2021 at 7:09 PM, DrTimcat said:

Just posting for general information and this may have been covered in a previous feed. I am purchasing a 95 Ovation and it has a leak that has just recently developed when filling over 20 gallons in the left wing tank. Any ideas on the best location to get the left tank resealed and approximate cost I am looking at? I am located in the central midwest (St Louis area). I heard about Weep No More in Minnesota and Wet-Wingologists in For Lauderdale. Any experience with either or others anyone has had experience with?

We may be able to help if you have photos  of the leak.  Lee

[mooneyflyfast]

3 hours ago, M20Doc said:

The airplane was 1000 miles from him, it should never have left in the condition it was in.  The workmanship was below standards, the paperwork sucked.  Certainly not a great performance.

Clarence

Sorry to hear they are turning out bad work.  When was your friend’s work done?  Maybe they learned from it and are doing better work now.  I hope so because I had my other tank done at Weep No More several years earlier and the logistics of taking a plane fron Texas to Minn. and retrieving it several weeks later were pretty costly and time consuming. Weep No More is definitely the gold standard.

[Guest]

8 hours ago, mooneyflyfast said:

Sorry to hear they are turning out bad work.  When was your friend’s work done?  Maybe they learned from it and are doing better work now.  I hope so because I had my other tank done at Weep No More several years earlier and the logistics of taking a plane fron Texas to Minn. and retrieving it several weeks later were pretty costly and time consuming. Weep No More is definitely the gold standard.

About 2-21/2 years ago.

Clarence

[squeaky.stow]

On 5/31/2021 at 4:47 PM, Tom 4536 said:

Weep No More just told me they are booked through September 2022.

That, more than any other testimonial, should tell you everything you need to know about the quality of their work. 
I waited 6 months and flew 680nm. No regrets 4 years later.

 

[Tom 4536]

4 hours ago, squeaky.stow said:

That, more than any other testimonial, should tell you everything you need to know about the quality of their work. 
I waited 6 months and flew 680nm. No regrets 4 years later.

 

Very good point. Thank you.

Tom

[wburger1]

Tankman (Carl Sharon) completely stripped and resealed both of my tanks for my 67F 2 years ago and did a great job.  The last person that did work on my tanks used the wrong sealant, installed the incorrect drain plugs and had vents sealed up.  Carl identified the previous problems and completed the job keeping me updated on his progress until it was complete.  No leaks so far.  Walt

[Tom 4536]

Just now, wburger1 said:

Tankman (Carl Sharon) completely stripped and resealed both of my tanks for my 67F 2 years ago and did a great job.  The last person that did work on my tanks used the wrong sealant, installed the incorrect drain plugs and had vents sealed up.  Carl identified the previous problems and completed the job keeping me updated on his progress until it was complete.  No leaks so far.  Walt

Where is Tankman?