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Posted (edited)

Has anyone had with this seal between the wing and the fuselage crack? Concerned it could let in moisture and cause corrosion. Any advice on how your mechanic has repaired it? Considering putting some tape over it to keep moisture out but also concerned it taping it could trap moisture inside. 

 

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Edited by rwabdu
Posted

If you’re talking about the fairing that covers the wing attach bolts?

Mine has an older design (‘68F), but I’ve taken those off to check the wing attach bolts which are commonly “lightly rusted” on top. The factory had tape (maybe duct tape?) under the fairing.  I have seen recommendations to use different types of tape under there.  Mine currently has thin strips of that nasty 3m black caulk underneath it.

Posted

I don't think there was sealant there from the factory. I'm not sure that fairing was riveted on from the factory. I could be wrong, but drilling out that many CherryMax rivets to inspect in there would be a real pain. As @Ragsf15e said, the area was sealed with tape under the fairing. The fairing was just a rain deflector for the most part. I would say to remove the fairing and see what is going on in there, but there are all those rivets....

Posted
5 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I don't think there was sealant there from the factory. I'm not sure that fairing was riveted on from the factory. I could be wrong, but drilling out that many CherryMax rivets to inspect in there would be a real pain. As @Ragsf15e said, the area was sealed with tape under the fairing. The fairing was just a rain deflector for the most part. I would say to remove the fairing and see what is going on in there, but there are all those rivets....

Oh jeez, I didn’t catch he said rivets?!  Mine has small screws.  It was still a PIA.

  • Like 1
Posted

I think that is an aftermarket fairing.   I wonder whether a shop installed that with rivets rather than spend the time to intall a bunch of nut plates for screws.

Posted

Remove and inspect.  You want to make sure that the duct tape (yes it’s duct tape) is in good shape.  This is a direct path to your spar in a hard to inspect area.  

Posted

Mooney used duct tape. Duct tape is designed to be waterproof — it is saturated with a polyethylene resin. Aluminum tape tears easily when used to bridge a gap such as the wing roots. Also, aluminum tape is more difficult to remove. A heat gun helps soften the adhesive so it doesn’t tear into tiny bits when you try to remove it.

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Posted

Thank you for the advice. I guess the quick fix of just replacing the cracked caulking isn't the best idea. Sounds like it will cost some bucks.

Posted
On 10/25/2021 at 6:48 PM, rwabdu said:

Thanks very much for the advice, didn't realize it was after market, will look for the STC!

Knowing what model you own would be helpful in figuring out if it was born with those fairing or not.

Clarence

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
On 10/31/2021 at 7:24 AM, M20Doc said:

Knowing what model you own would be helpful in figuring out if it was born with those fairing or not.

Clarence

it is an M20C 1968.

Going to get it repaired as soon as I can fly it off the field. Need to finish my transition training to be able to move her unfortunately. Hopefully next week. 

Posted

You could Seal the top. I wouldn’t seal the bottom. My wing root lasar fairings are not that long. I would cut out the old sealant use some 890 B1/2 sealant. 
-Matt

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