Fuel tank leak & hydraulic flaps not working

[Tmarsha]

Hello, just joined this group, long time 182 flyer and now making the switch to Mooney. I am buying a 1967 f model from a friend, 3000 Aftt, 950 ET, avionics descent. It currently has a small fuel leak in left wing and the hydraulic flaps are not working. I have recently read the forum on Mooney fuel tanks and all the issues. Owner and I are trying to find an experienced Mooney shop to do the work. Any recommendations . We are in central Arizona. Tks. Tom

[rbridges]

tank leak could be relatively pricey.  can go with patching but most guys recommend a full strip/reseal.  Put your location in your profile and people may be able to recommend someone close to you.

 

welcome to the forum.

[Tmarsha]

Thanks. Just updated my profile.

[danb35]

I know of four places that specialize in Mooney fuel tank work.  Three of them, in OR, MN, and FL, use the original sealant, while the fourth, in IL, uses a polyurethane substance pursuant to an STC.  Don Maxwell in TX does some repairs, but I don't believe he does full reseal jobs.  OR is probably the closest to you, but still some distance away.

 

The flaps are really pretty simple--there's a hand-operated hydraulic pump, a cylinder to operate the flaps, and a line in between.  The system shares a fluid reservoir with the brakes, so if they work you have fluid.  You might also want to check the line from the reservoir to the flap pump.

[OR75]

the shop in oregon is probably the closest to you. if the fuel leak is not bad to make the plane un-airworthy, then probably worth looking at doing a full re-seal and annual at the same time.

good shop that knows Mooneys.

[Tmarsha]

Thanks for the info. The fuel leak is very small at this point. What about just spot sealing for now and see how long I go before the next one. Is the cost of the reseal equivalent to installing bladders, do you know the PROS & CONS. I understand the bladder route loses a few gallons of fuel capacity. Tks Tom

[OR75]

Thanks for the info. The fuel leak is very small at this point. What about just spot sealing for now and see how long I go before the next one. Is the cost of the reseal equivalent to installing bladders, do you know the PROS & CONS. I understand the bladder route loses a few gallons of fuel capacity. Tks Tom

you just opened a can of worms ....

a reseal is cheaper ( i believe everyone agrees on that .... maybe)

[scottfromiowa]

Same issues with our E. the seep has been there since I purchased. Weep no more (one tank each year) for next two years. Flap overhaul kit ( gaskets need changed) also to be done next annual. There are threads on both. Do a search. Reseal or bladders is really a choice. Both have merits and shortcomings...kind of like finding the "perfect plane". Good luck. A seep CAN be lived with...

[MB65E]

Glendale Aero Sservices In Glendale Az. GEU.

Great staff. Jon or James will be able to help. On sight interiors, avionics. James can fix and fly anything!!

Our M20E is based on the field.

Excelent service!

Best!

[rbridges]

Thanks for the info. The fuel leak is very small at this point. What about just spot sealing for now and see how long I go before the next one. Is the cost of the reseal equivalent to installing bladders, do you know the PROS & CONS. I understand the bladder route loses a few gallons of fuel capacity. Tks Tom

 

definitely opened a can of worms.  there are several of us, including me, that went with bladders, but I believe the majority of people go with reseals.  Bladders may increase fuel capacity--definitely in the C and E models and maybe even in the F and J models if memory serves.  But you lose usable load b/c the bladders carry extra weight--28 in mine, more if you get the larger bladder capacity.

 

I'm very happy with mine, and there are a few on here that have had them for many years with no problems.  It does cost more vs reseal, but it may be easier for you to go to a local MSC to have it done vs one of the reputable reseal guys.

[Steve65E-NC]

You did not mention if the tanks have ever been resealed.  However, in any case it is worth a trip to Don Maxwell MSC in TX for a spot-reseal and overall tank sealant evaluation.  He has the detective work for finding spot leaks down to a science and will do you right.  Finding the source of the leak is a large part of the problem as it will not be obvious.   In any case it is worth making Don's association early in your ownership as he knows Mooneys inside and out.  And, he generously shares his knowledge: here, on his web site, and in the MAPA Journal. 

[Steve65E-NC]

The flap hydraulic pump is not that difficult to rebuild and Lasar has a kit available.  However, you should probably try bleeding the line first.  Assuming that you do not have an aftermarket one piece belly, this involves identifying the correct piece of sheet metal to remove so that you can get to the flap pump, and its attached drain bib.  It is best to bleed from the bottom up as the line does not clear well with a down bleed.  Several yards of clear plastic tubing (about 1/8 id), a positive displacement hand pump  oil can (less than $10 at Lowes or Home Depot) full of new hydraulic fluid, a fitting with barb and correct pipe thread for the top of the hydraulic fluid reservoir, a catch jar for the top overflow, and some sort of rubber bulb or bottle pump to return fluid level in the reservior back down to fill level all complete the rig.  After you get it working pump the flaps up and down a number of times and look for any leak near the pump.  You might want to use the same rig to bleed both brake lines bottom-up, while you are at it and before you remove the pump thru fitting and catch jar.    

[Tmarsha]

Thanks for all the input. I was able to get the HD flaps working today by forcing air into the reservoir fitting, pumping the flaps, then topping off the fluid. working great now. I wiped clean the fuel residual under the wing and will watch it the next couple days, then evaluate. Interestingly enough, there is a reference to a reseal of the tank back 10 years ago or so and that is the tank weaping. Looking forward to learning a lot about mooney's and getting connected to the Mooney network. Will followup with GEU and will look for info from Don Maxwell.   Tks 

[moodychief]

My flaps stopped working one day out of the blue. My mechanic replaced all the o-rings as a couple were old and cracked. No problems over the last four years. He charged me about 1 hour of labor.

[N201MKTurbo]

Chandler Aviation does a lot of Mooney work at KCHD. That is also where I live, so come by and say Hi some time. I owned and maintained a 67 F for 19 years.

[Tmarsha]

Good to know. I've heard different opinions about Chandler ? If you don't mind, I would like to give you a call and talk more about the 67 F model. My email is tmenmarshall@msn.com. Look forward to hearing from you. Tks. Tom

[Tmarsha]

Moodychief, thanks for the input. This F model has been sitting most of the last 11 years in a hangar owned by a good friend. Good news is I have identified all previous owners and in contact with a few of them in addition to my friend who has had it for past 11 years. I had a good Cessna mechanic at KDVT but he is not interested in continuing with the Mooney so I will have to find another mechanic.

[moodychief]

I think my mechanic said there is like 12 o-rings in the pump assembly (may be wrong on the number). While he had it apart he changed all of them. Good thing is it wouldn't hold pressure so the flaps failed in the up position.