I've got a fuel tank leak....need recommendation

[Earl]

I know its like death and taxes but my 86 252 has sprung a fuel leak.  Got to the airport this morning expecting to see the plane on the line ready to go.  Line guys said they wanted to show me a puddle under the plane before they moved it.  Was leaking from a weep hole in the belly.  My A&P on the field came over and pulled the panel and we traced the leak to the outboard portion of the wing tank.

Was really hoping it was a leaking fuel line or the fuel selector or something less dramatic.  Looks like I am headed toward one of the wet wingologists.  So here are my questions:

1.  Who is the closest shop to Atlanta, GA that is reasonable and does high quality work?

2.  Can I ferry the airplane with only fuel in one side?  I usually switch tanks every 10-15 gallons or so and have never flown with one side full and the other side empty.

3.  Should I just suck it up and get both sides redone?  I would much rather use the funds for avionics upgrades but I also know the other side leaking is inevitable and am I just asking for more downtime.

4.  How much should I expect it to cost and how long will it take?  I fly my plane on business and really hate to lose it for a while.  Having said that, I am heading to Europe on vacation in June so I won't be able to use it much that month anyway.

[MooneyMitch]

Hi ehscott.

"3.  Should I just suck it up and get both sides redone?  I would much rather use the funds for avionics upgrades but I also know the other side leaking is inevitable and am I just asking for more downtime."

Just my opinon here.  I would have the specific issue well evaluated by a true Mooney tank reseal person.  This could be an isloated case, and would not necessarily require and entire reseal. 

This happened to me and I was asking the same question..........should I just bit the bullet and have both tanks resealed?  Turned out to be an isolated case in which the repair facility stated they thought the leak was the result of poor factory seal installation when the aircarft was new.  So far so good.

[231Pilot]

Is it a slow drip....a drop every 30 seconds or less...a steady drip, or is it a steady trickle?  The amount of flow would determine if you should attempt to fly to a wet wingologist or bite the bullet for an attempt to spot treat the leak before going for a complete srtip and re-seal.  You might as well strip and reseal both sides, the existing sealant is probably of the same vintage.  If you have extended range tanks installed, it will, of course, cost more.  Good luck.

[jetdriven]

You might be a candidate for a patch job with an experienced wet wing guy.  Reseal it in a couple years.

[Earl]

Quote: 201Pilot

Is it a slow drip....a drop every 30 seconds or less...a steady drip, or is it a steady trickle?  The amount of flow would determine if you should attempt to fly to a wet wingologist or bite the bullet for an attempt to spot treat the leak before going for a complete srtip and re-seal.  You might as well strip and reseal both sides, the existing sealant is probably of the same vintage.  If you have extended range tanks installed, it will, of course, cost more.  Good luck.

[Earl]

Quote: jetdriven

You might be a candidate for a patch job with an experienced wet wing guy.  Reseal it in a couple years.

[jetdriven]

It will fly on one tank, I drained mine completely empty on the R side and ferried it to get filled up so I could calibrate my tank stick.

[Piloto]

Depending on the sealant condition must likely you do not need a total reseal but spot patch. Before opening the tank perform an air pressure test to accurately spot the leak location. This can be accomplished by just blowing air by mouth into the tank vent (need a 3/8" hose for this) and checking for bubbles with SD-20 cleaner around the tank perimeter structure (you need to remove adjacent panels). Many of the unsucessful patches are due to not actually sealing the leak point. Running fuel can show at a different location than were the actual leak is located. Once the leak spot has been located seal the whole compartment to insure the leak has been covered. When removing tank sealed panels always cut the sealant around with a thin blade knife before pushing on the panel. Otherwise you will end up with an oil canning skin. After sealing reinstall the tank cover and pressure test again before putting gas in.

José

[Earl]

My A&P called and he said he spoke to wetwingologists in Ft. Lauderdale with a couple of things I did not know.  First of all, he asked about whether the tank had been sitting dry.  I just came from a long trip and knew I was going out again so I had them wait to top it off.  He said even a week without fuel could do it. Is that right?  I never knew that I should top it off after every flight.  

Secondly, he quoted a price of $8,400 for both tanks being resealed with a 7-year warranty.  I am still waiting to hear from a couple of other shops about the need for and cost of a complete reseal.  I also have asked about ferrying on one tank or having a patch done so it could be flown.  I'm just not comfortable flying with a stready drip like that.  My A&P is also going to partially drain the tank to see if the leak is up high.

[Earl]

Quote: jetdriven

It will fly on one tank, I drained mine completely empty on the R side and ferried it to get filled up so I could calibrate my tank stick.

[jetdriven]

Nope.  It has 15 gallons in it.    Gosh, 8400$ for a reseal.  My bladders are a little more than that but they lasted 20 years, and still no leaks

[Parker_Woodruff]

Willmar also has a new process that's working really well, but they're up in MN. 

[Piloto]

Quote: jetdriven

Nope.

[Piloto]

Quote: jetdriven

Nope. It has 15 gallons in it. Gosh, 8400$ for a reseal. My bladders are a little more than that but they lasted 20 years, and still no leaks

[jetdriven]

Heck, Jim it was no big deal, but noticeable. Not worse than the 172 I used to rent when it was topped off. 

I just turned on the autopilot and let it do the work.  Did you test and adjust yours like I sent you?

[Earl]

Quote: Parker_Woodruff

Willmar also has a new process that's working really well, but they're up in MN. 

[PTK]

Have you considered Don Maxwell? You may not need a complete strip and reseal. Often times the actual location of the leak is not where you see it dripping. I'd at least give him a call. He is an expert in evaluating and detecting leaks.

[Earl]

Quote: allsmiles

Have you considered Don Maxwell? You may not need a complete strip and reseal. Often times the actual location of the leak is not where you see it dripping. I'd at least give him a call. He is an expert in evaluating and detecting leaks.

[rbridges]

I would go to MN or FL to have a reseal.  Joey Cole may be able to patch it, but he makes it clear that there's no guarantees.  In your case, it should buy some time since you know that a complete job is in the future.

Joey did my bladders, and I'm very pleased with them, but I know they're only options up through J models.

[jetdriven]

Ross knows a guy in FL who might be able to patch up your tanks.  They redid his.

[fantom]

My 2 cents....

If you speak to people who reseal tanks or (heaven forbid) install bladders....guess what they will want to do.

Call around, and either find someone locally who has lots of experience patching, or fill up the other wing, and the leaking wing 3/4 since the leak is on the outboard side, and beg Maxwell for a patch job. He's had lots of experience and success doing it.

Of course, if you have nine grand burning a hole in your pocket

[OR75]

The way you describe the leak, it may be an easy fix that a local A&P can do with simply a tank sealant kit.

A full tank re-seal or bladders may be needed only if the selant has aged and is degraded overall. 

[Earl]

Quote: fantom

My 2 cents....

If you speak to people who reseal tanks or (heaven forbid) install bladders....guess what they will want to do.

Call around, and either find someone locally who has lots of experience patching, or fill up the other wing, and the leaking wing 3/4 since the leak is on the outboard side, and beg Maxwell for a patch job. He's had lots of experience and success doing it.

Of course, if you have nine grand burning a hole in your pocket

[MooneyMitch]

"If you speak to people who reseal tanks or (heaven forbid) install bladders....guess what they will want to do."

This was, and is not the case with Advanced Aircraft Services [MSC] in Troutdale, OR [adjacent to Portland].  Greg and Ed do reseals as they did with Jolie's E model, but with mine, not so.  They did not try to sell a reseal job to me.

I realize Troutdale is a fur piece from Marietta, GA, but I'm just sayin' they are honest service providers.

[Earl]

OK, just heard from Don Maxwell and they don't do reseals anymore but do patch and repair.  However, the cost for him to patch and repair both tanks (which he recommends) was not significantly less than a complete reseal.

We are draining the tank in stages to see if we can figure out where the leak is so I can at least get it to one of the shops.  This is really not much fun.......