Reseal or bladders

[David White]

Hi all, I've got a 1981 J model that leaks like a pasta strainer from the left tank. My mechanic and I have tried to fix it, but he says I would be better of taking it to Don Maxwell or just installing bladders. I'm curious what the consensus is among Mooney folks.

Tailwinds,

Dave

[rbridges]

I don't know if Don is still doing reseals (IIRC from others posting on this forum). It seems the consensus is Wilmar up north or wetwingologists in Ft Lauderdale for strip/reseals unless you know somebody that is experienced with mooney fuel tanks. I went with bladders at my local MSC in Rome, GA, and I'm pleased with them.

BTW, what part of the country are you located?

[David White]

I'm based out of San Marcos, Texas (HYI)

Right between Austin and San Antonio off IH35

[rbridges]

there are several people on here from the midwest. They may be able to give you other recommendations. If you do a search, you will find a ton of info about bladders vs reseals. It's one of the hotter topics on mooneyspace.

[Marauder]

Hi all, I've got a 1981 J model that leaks like a pasta strainer from the left tank. My mechanic and I have tried to fix it, but he says I would be better of taking it to Don Maxwell or just installing bladders. I'm curious what the consensus is among Mooney folks.

Tailwinds,

Dave

Hi Dave. You will find a bunch of opinions on the merits of each way to go with your tanks. I bought my F in 1991 and mine started leaking shortly thereafter. The most troubling part was the sealant used was not only failing but also it was beginning to strip off in the tank like spaghetti strips. I decided to have bladders installed. Never regretted having them installed. Mine were installed at the O&N facility in PA.

[Alan Fox]

Reseals are temporary at best.... If you reseal , you will at best be resealing again within ten years......WET WINGS SUCK.......Step up to the plate and buy a set of O&Ns ....you will not regret it...Piper and Beech dont do wet wings (Except the musketeer) and I dont think that Cessna does either...

[David White]

So if I got the O&N bladders is it something that's simple enough my mechanic could instal"l? Or do I need to fly to to Pennsylvania for it?

[DrBill]

I just got O&N Bladders in May. I flew there on Saturday and they took me to Scranton Airport for a USAIR flight home. I flew USAIR the next Sat and they met me and took me to the plane. Could not have been easier.

I preferred bladders since replacement is rare (over 20 years) and the cost is not much more than a full re-seal job.

There are several installers around thre US. You can call O&N and see who in your area has experience. I am REAL happy with the bladders. they added a little weight but also added 2 more gallons capacity (27.4 per side).

In my review, I think the member consensus is like 50/50. The decision is yours.

BILL

[N601RX]

It involves some sheet metal work. If you will pm me your email address I'll send you the install manual so you can discuss with your mechanic

[laytonl]

Whatever you decide, I suggest Weepnomore at Willmar for the reseal or the O&N shop in Pa for the bladders. I researched both options and decided one of these two would do the work. I eventually decided on a reseal because I didn't want to lose the fuel capacity or pay for the extra bladders to not lose the capacity. Lee

[rbridges]

So if I got the O&N bladders is it something that's simple enough my mechanic could instal"l? Or do I need to fly to to Pennsylvania for it?

If you decide to go bladders, you need to go to a shop that's trained. At the very least, go to an MSC that has done it. It involves quite a bit of work. The process is actually more expensive than going with a complete strip/seal.

[Marauder]

So if I got the O&N bladders is it something that's simple enough my mechanic could instal"l? Or do I need to fly to to Pennsylvania for it?

O&N have several authorized dealers on their website. http://www.onaircraft.com/products-services/mooney-bladders/

I'm sure a qualified mechanic can install them, but you will need to check into what impact if any it has on their warranty.

[Piloto]

Most modern planes have integral tanks. Bladder tanks add weight and their fuel capacity is typically 20% less than an integral tank in the same wing cavity. There is also the maintenance logistics for stocking spare bladders for a diverse fleet. Like on a B707 you would need to stock over a dozen of different bladders P/N. While on integral tanks all you need to stock are sealant cans that are the same for all the wing sections and models on the fleet. If not properly installed bladders can promote water accumulation (wrinkles) and corrosion (moisture trapping) on the spar section. On the Mooneys long range tanks mod is not bladder compatible. Something to consider for the Missile 300 hp conversion.

José

[PTK]

I would reseal and do the long range mod at the same time. There isn't much that can be done to the J being that it's the best Mooney, except for the long range tanks. An excellent mod to an excellent airplane.

[David White]

So, if I went with the Weep no more reseal they could install the long range tanks too? I'm a big fan of having lots of gas.

[David White]

Also it looks like if I decide to go the bladder route one of the approved installers is at my home airport.

[rbridges]

Also it looks like if I decide to go the bladder route one of the approved installers is at my home airport.

Although I'm very happy with the decision to go with bladders in mine, I'm not telling you one way or another. BUT, if you do go with bladders, order them yourself. I didn't have to pay sales tax and had them delivered to my MSC. Even with his "discount", it was cheaper than he could get it. Also, they usually have a $2-300 discount for events like oshkosh or being a MAPA member. I'd ask, she gave me the discount pretty quick.

[KSMooniac]

You've kicked over the ant hill for sure!

This is a semi-regular debate on here and the email lists, so if you spend some time searching you'll get plenty of pros and cons for each option.

I went with a Weep No More reseal almost 5 years ago and am still happy. Bladders will "cost" you an additional 32-40 lbs of weight meaning that your useful load and range will drop. This might or might not matter to you, but it might matter to the prospective buyer of your plane down the road. My early J has a high useful load (1025) and I'm very protective of it since I can take 4 adults and bags on a weekend 500 NM trip. If I lost 40 lbs, that means almost no bags could be carried....so it matters very much to me. A 64 gallon bladder system will also cost more than a reseal.

Do your research and make your own decision!

[Hank]

I resealed this time last year. Love not dripping in the hangar any more--no more blue spots!

Bladders would have cost ~40% more, plus cutting new openings in the wings and trying to match the paint.

Neither is a perfect solution, each carries its own risks and rewards. Sealant breaks down over time, is heat sensitive when parked nearly empty but was used by the factory for decades and is still in use from new singles to new passenger jets. Bladders can trap water in wrinkles, inside and under the bladder, seals between bladder cells leak, they can be snagged during install or removal to replace seals, sheet metal or new caps can be done wrong, paint can not match, etc.

Next time, ask a simple question like LOP/ROP or massive/fine wire!

[rainman]

Dave, firstly congrats on the J. It looks great. I'm based at Boerne Stage and saw your plane. I'm at the same point with my K and recently had a leak successfully repaired but with my 1979 which has never had a reveal the time is coming. Keep me posted on your decision and the process. Have you completed your transition training? I used Bob Cabe and he was great. Ray (830)229-5796

[Seth]

Dave, I know this sounds odd, but whatever choice you make will be fine. Both bladders and reseals have pros and cons. I have owned two Mooneys, the first a 1967 F model that had bladders installed in the 1990s and my current M20J Missile 300 with extended range tanks (wet wings).

I never had an issue at all with the Bladders in the F and still had plenty of useful load (early F's are known for their useful load - 1017 lbs). The fuel caps for the bladders are a nice touch as well. Sometimes moisture can get trapped between the bladders and wing and cause issues. The bladders can dry out and crack, and the bladders themselves can leak. Again, I never had any water in the tanks, never had an issue whatsoever, and always heard of the horror stories of leaking wet wings. I think bladders work where needed. Bladders are supposed be good for 15-20 years or so. So I was actually nearing the supposed useful life of my bladders when I sold the aircraft, but there was no indication of any issues, no do I feel there would have been. I had a great experience with bladders.

I now have the wet wing long range tanks on my Missile. I do not yet have any large issue, no seeping, but I know it's just a matter of time until I get my first leak. This techincally could have been an issue at some point with my bladders, but I never had one. The long range tanks make the Missile even that much more capable, and the wet wing does give me better useful load - the Missile STC does that too - 1067lbs. The design was a wet wing, and weep no more, along with some of the other strip/reseal shops have it down to a science. I have not had an issue, though one of the long range tanks was patched prior to purchase.

It helps to keep fuel in both the bladders and wet wings to keep the bladders or sealent from drying out. Again, you can't go wrong with either choice. I do worry more now about leaks, but it's nice to have the range and not lugging around extra weight.

Both choices make sense - most of the decision is what you truely believe is right for you.

Take care,

-Seth

[gregwatts]

I just did a complete reseal at Wetwingologists at FXE. Was an easy choice for me.

[jeckford]

Dave,

I just went thru this same issue with my 82' J. It had the original sealant and just started leaking recently.

Plane is based just north of you at KGTU.

We decided to have it resealed last month at Wilmar and couldn't be happier. Exceptional customer service. Paul Beck kept us well updated during the 2 1/2 week reseal process and sent photo updates. Cost was around $7500 and he provides a 5 year warranty.

Took us about 6 hrs flight time from GTU to Wilmar but was well worth it.

Incidentally we got to tour the Willmar Air Services while there. They are a well know MSC in the north. They maintain a 83'J that has over 14,000 hours and is still going strong!

Send me a message if there are any questions I can answer for you.

[aaronk25]

Had mine re-sealed by Paul at weep no more, Willmar last Feb. Awesome job. I bet they last 20 years. My original ones lasted 25 before they started leaking. So I perfer a proper strip and re-seal job over heavy bladders anyday. Infact to start a stir, I think bladers are the ROP way of flying a IO-360 .

[PTK]

A thorough reseal performed properly by a professional who knows what they're doing will last a very very long time. Certainly outlast one's ownership and flying career in the airplane. Paul at Weep no more is one such professional. I think the problems arise when half ass jobs are done by people who shouldn't be doing them.

I can't see permanently altering the airplane by installing bladders and continue to pay the weight penalty indefinitely. And pay more for it!