Fuel Stains- When is it time to address?

[mike_elliott]

While corrosion is a silent killer for lack of use, there has been history of spalling tappets under high loading albeit from sitting and not having a lubrication film on them (S=P/A for you guys that think math is still ok to speak of publicly) hence DHC and roller lifter solutions now offered. Having things like a shared camlobe, no direct lubrication, improper valve stem clearance caused by coking of oil on valves all seem to mess with the above formula and increase the S pass the lowest bidder of the day's cam and tappet's ability. IOW, while not to rule out corrosion as a cause, it is by far not the cause in every case but more the corporate answer.

[1980Mooney]

8 hours ago, ZuluZulu said:

$8000 for the mains and Monroys?!  That's half what I was quoted last year.

Was your quote from Houston Tank Specialists or another shop like Wetwing, etc? $16,000 to seal tanks is ridiculous.  Every metal wing Mooney since the early 60’s is basically the same.  The leak failure mode is basically the same - the stress and flex of the older lighter models is less and the sealant may be different- but the tank maintenance needs will be the same over time. If this is the going rate then the hidden cost to maintain a “low cost” short body or “efficient” mid body is going to be  more unbearable for many.  Potential buyers new to Mooney need to be aware. 

[Hank]

11 hours ago, ZuluZulu said:

$8000 for the mains and Monroys?!  That's half what I was quoted last year.

Probably depends on the size of the long range tanks. Some go up to 130 gals. I can have my tanks "extended" to 64 gal.

[Mark89114]

I was quoted about $15K to $16K among the three main well know suppliers.  The guy in WI, TX and FL.  All were about the same price.

 

[ZuluZulu]

5 hours ago, 1980Mooney said:

Was your quote from Houston Tank Specialists or another shop like Wetwing, etc? $16,000 to seal tanks is ridiculous.  Every metal wing Mooney since the early 60’s is basically the same.  The leak failure mode is basically the same - the stress and flex of the older lighter models is less and the sealant may be different- but the tank maintenance needs will be the same over time. If this is the going rate then the hidden cost to maintain a “low cost” short body or “efficient” mid body is going to be  more unbearable for many.  Potential buyers new to Mooney need to be aware. 

It was the shops in Fort Lauderdale and Troutdale. I didn’t contact Willmar or any others. 

[ZuluZulu]

38 minutes ago, Mark89114 said:

I was quoted about $15K to $16K among the three main well know suppliers.  The guy in WI, TX and FL.  All were about the same price.

 

Did you mean MN, or is there one in WI I haven’t heard about?

[DCarlton]

4 hours ago, ZuluZulu said:

Did you mean MN, or is there one in WI I haven’t heard about?

Paul Beck

Weep No More/Oasis Aero 

320-295-1671

weepnomorellc.com

Oasisaero.com

[Mark89114]

5 hours ago, ZuluZulu said:

Did you mean MN, or is there one in WI I haven’t heard about?

Wisconsin, Minnesota…..I get them mixed up…..wilmar

[ZuluZulu]

1 hour ago, DCarlton said:

Paul Beck

Weep No More/Oasis Aero 

320-295-1671

weepnomorellc.com

Oasisaero.com

Yes, that's why I asked him if he meant Minnesota.

[DCarlton]

13 hours ago, ZuluZulu said:

Yes, that's why I asked him if he meant Minnesota.

Don't have any experience with Weep No More but that's where I'm thinking about taking mine down the road.  They seem very nice and responsive.  

[1980Mooney]

On 11/22/2021 at 2:41 PM, Mark89114 said:

I was quoted about $15K to $16K among the three main well know suppliers.  The guy in WI, TX and FL.  All were about the same price.

 

Do you find it ironic that they are charging about the same price to reseal wing tanks as it costs to have a Mooney repainted? 

[hammdo]

I use this for small rivet leaks... 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002C3L5NO/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Works great and when they seep again, reapply... 

-Don 

 

[RobertGary1]

On 11/22/2021 at 8:23 AM, 1980Mooney said:

Was your quote from Houston Tank Specialists or another shop like Wetwing, etc? $16,000 to seal tanks is ridiculous.  Every metal wing Mooney since the early 60’s is basically the same.  The leak failure mode is basically the same - the stress and flex of the older lighter models is less and the sealant may be different- but the tank maintenance needs will be the same over time. If this is the going rate then the hidden cost to maintain a “low cost” short body or “efficient” mid body is going to be  more unbearable for many.  Potential buyers new to Mooney need to be aware. 

I assume $16k isn’t a patch but a re-seal. Rip it all out and start over. 

[SARNorm]

Don- How do you apply the material, and what does it do to the paint?

[hammdo]

I just rub it in like a crayon with a bit of pressure around the rivet area. I clean the stain off first then just 'color' it in. It's a temp fix but works for the 3 rivets I have that seep.

Doesn't really affect the paint since it's crayon like (it's a grayish color).

-Don

[SARNorm]

Thanks Don for the reply. How long until you notice the seeping again?

[hammdo]

Mine lasted about 3 months - depends on how many landings I do...

-Don

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, hammdo said:

I use this for small rivet leaks... 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002C3L5NO/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Works great and when they seep again, reapply... 

-Don 

 

I use the same stuff with about the same experience.    Good temporary repair, but needs re-application occasionally.     I have a leaky rivet by the sump drain that it's been effective against.

[SARNorm]

Copy that. Thank's very much for the info.