Fuel Tank Leaks

[docket]

This is an often discussed issue.  I have a seep in my left tank from one rivet.  I never see anything on the ground but I do get a blue stain near the rivet.  Right now I am not real motivated to fix because it is not a safety of flight issue but I expect that it will get worse.  I have heard that Don Maxwell in Longview is the best place in Texas to go to the doctor on this but if any of you have other experiences with the repair let me know. 

[GeorgePerry]

http://www.onaircraft.com/Mooney.htm'>

[Greg_D]

I don't believe O&N makes bladders for anything later than a J model.  The OP's plane is an M20S, so a reseal or repair is going to be his only option.

[TurboExec]

Quote: GeorgePerry

O & N Bladder fix leaks perminently

http://www.onaircraft.com/Mooney.htm

[Greg_D]

Quote: TurboExec

I wouldn't say perminently.....those bladders can and will crack.

IMO I'd rather have the wet wing with a good reseal than the bladders...

[Magnum]

I think bladders are good when you land on grass strips regularly. When the sealer gets older the "bumps" can lead to a leak. But both need some care: Always keep enough fuel in them and avoid high temperatures. 

Magnus

[kellym]

Quote: docket

This is an often discussed issue.  I have a seep in my left tank from one rivet.  I never see anything on the ground but I do get a blue stain near the rivet.  Right now I am not real motivated to fix because it is not a safety of flight issue but I expect that it will get worse.  I have heard that Don Maxwell in Longview is the best place in Texas to go to the doctor on this but if any of you have other experiences with the repair let me know. 

[docket]

It looks like I am going to take the plane to Don Maxwell this weekend.  I will update everyone on my efforts.

[randypugh]

Docket, how did you do with the fuel leak repair? My 11 year old Ovation now has a leak in each wing and I want to address as soon as possible. I spoke with Don Friday and it sounded very positive to repair. I also called Willmar and was told the same thing. They both described the same procedure and close to the same costs. Both are a trip for me to make unless my shop tells me they are willing to do it. I'll be talking to them this week. How did you make out? 

[docket]

Don solved the fuel leak beautifully and for a fair price.  I don't remember exactly what he charged but it was such a reasonable amount that I did not notice it on the bill.  Don is truly knowledgeable about the planes and everyone there wants to do the job right.  The only hassle is that the commercial service out of Longview is dismal so I ended up driving back home instead of flying out commercial.

The bad news -- since there always must be some -- is that after I returned and flew it a few more weeks I have noticed some weeping on the top of the wing (the leak Don took care of was on the bottom).  It is no reflection on anything Don did but simply something to be aware of.  I have heard that some planes never have a leak issue and on others the sealant can fail quickly.  My plane was built in 6/99 so it is almost ten years old.  The weeping on the top of the wing is less of a big deal because it only seems to show up when I stuff the tank above the tab.  The fact that you have leaks in both tanks may be a sign that your sealant is decaying but please understand that I am no expert on the issue.

In summary, I would highly recommend Don to look at the tank.  Eric

[MooneyMike]

The service manual for your Mooney (my J model manual does anyway) ought to give dimensions and definitions of leaks and if they need attention.  As for leaks not fixing themselves, well.... mine had a small seep (about 1 inch wide and 2 - 3 inches long) and it stopped leaking.  Go figure. 

Mike

[randypugh]

Thanks Eric, I'll let you know how I turn out.

[Amelia]

Last year I had Willmar Aviation in Minnesoooda completely strip and reseal my tanks, maybe ten years after the last time it had been done; they predicted that their technique would last far longer, and of course, I believed them. They picked up the plane from Flying Cloud in Minneapolis, flew it back to Willmar, and I caught a cab to MSP for a ride home in the much cheaper seats of Northworst. I returned to MSP at the appointed time several weeks later, a very pleasant seatmate offered me a ride right to the reliever airport, and there was my airplane, waiting for me at Flying Cloud with an invoice on the seat. Not a small expense, all told, but sure smells better inside, and the wings don't have that ugly turquoise design on the undersides anymore. So far, so good.

[N207LS]

See my posts in the vintage forum under Wet Wingologists...  I am going through a strip/reseal as we speak.  For what it is worth, tanks patch repairs are just that, patch repairs.  I don't wan't to restate my experiences, on this topic, but I feel confident that I have done about as much research as anyone.  For me, a strip and reseal was the way to go from a shop that would give me a good long term warranty.  When I did my last patch, it worked for a while and about 18 months later I was getting a new seep (very small) from another area in the same tank.  I finally got tired of chasing it and decided to just fix it for good.  So far, I am pleased with Wet Wingologists.  I have spoken with Edison, the owner of WW, every day since he has had my plane.  He has kept me up to date with the progress.  I realize that I am a challenging customer, but my Mooney is really part of my family...  I am updating my post under the vintage mooney section as it progresses.  I am flying to KFXE tomorrow (Saturday) morning and will take photos of the work and post them on the vintage thread. 

[globemaster]

Don't get the bladders, they add weight and reduce your fuel capacity. Go see Edison at wet wingologists. We had it done years ago, even had a small leak after a couple of years but flew back down to him and he has a great warranty and fixed it right up and no problem after 5 years.

[GeorgePerry]

Bottom line is that there are two distinct camps...Those who like the O&N's and those who prefer to keep it the way the Mooney factory made it.  Both sides have valid points but to discount one or the other is foolish, because both have their merits.

I'd like to echo Jim's comments.  I have the bladders installed in my plane and Yep, the O&N bladders do add weight, (+/- about 37 lbs).   But after removing my bendix starter and replacing with a skytec, I'm only giving up 25 lbs useful load. 

I have the "older" version that has 54.8 usable.  Not too say that I couldn't, but I've never had an occasion to fly the plane more than 3.5 hours.  Any longer than that and it's time to stretch my legs among other things....If I really didn't want to stop then I could fly another hour plus IFR reserves, before the tanks are empty.  With O&N bladders my useful load is 984 lbs. With full fuel the useful load is 642 lbs.  Not too bad...3 big adults and bags.

 

[Mooney_Allegro]

So far I don't have any fuel leaks, but I'm sure there will be a day when I do.  I'll go with a reseal because I don't want to lose anymore useful load. 

[29-0363]

My other Ovation is a 1998 s/n 29-0156 (yes, I have two) and has  some evidence of a very slow leak on the main spar inside the RH wheel well.  It's a gummy residue, there is a hint of an Avgas smell, but otherwise there is nothing you can see.  It may be the only time there is any leakage is when the tank is full and the sealant has failed at the top rather than the bottom.

Given this appears to be a minor/inconsequential leak, is it something that should be left until it becomes worse or should it be repaired now? 

 

[randypugh]

The service manual spells out if it's a saftey of flight type of leak or not. It doesn't sound like yours is so you can fly it untill it gets worse. I have a leak coming through right at the speed brakes on the bottom  -both sides-  and I'm waiting to get in for a reseal. My shop is currently busy but should get in next month.

[Piloto]

You don't have a genuine Mooney unless it shows some leaks.

[alun]

i will get the rest of the plane painted blue - that way the leaks wont show!

[N207LS]

I have designed my new paint scheme to account for the potential of a leak re-occurring after my recent strip/reseal.  I have actually put the darkest color on the inside of the wing and created a stripe pattern that would look good, but also insure that only my darkest color (dark purple) is in the fuel tank and gear area.  I really don't want to see a new leak though!  I will post photos when the paint job is completed.

Aaron

[Auburn02]

Quote: N207LS

my darkest color (dark purple)

[KSMooniac]

Ruh-roh!  Looks like we might need to get a referee soon! 

(When I re-paint it will very likely be Texas Aggie maroon and white.)

[N207LS]

Of course there will be gold as well...  Also, the tail number is being changed to N207LS from the original N3973N.  Yes, you guessed it, 2007 National Champion LSU Tigers.  I had several tail numbers on reserve, but decided on N207LS.  The colors on the plane come from the official LSU color pallette...  Most importantly, the Purple should hide any blue stains when they re-appear (hopefully not for a long time).

I will post photos upon completion of the paint job.

Aaron