jimluper Posted May 13, 2013 Report Posted May 13, 2013 On Mothers Day, I crawled under the left wing as part of my pre-flight and saw to my dismay blue bye on the area around the wing root. Now I am measuring the fuel in my tank to see if and how much is leaking. Any one have to face this repair and have an idea of what involved? When I am out at the plane tomorrow I will take a photo..... Quote
mike28w Posted May 13, 2013 Report Posted May 13, 2013 You have my sympathy. I have a '63 M20C. I had my tanks stripped and re-sealed. $10,000 , 18 months and more than a couple of trips to the mechanic..... I now have a leak free Mooney...."knock on wood"..... If I had known then , what I know now.....bladders would have been considered more seriously Quote
carusoam Posted May 14, 2013 Report Posted May 14, 2013 Jim, Check the seals where the fuel level sensors go.... You might get lucky. Best regards, -a- Quote
BigTex Posted May 14, 2013 Report Posted May 14, 2013 You might want to check your fuel drain... Maybe that's all that's leaking. Quote
jetdriven Posted May 14, 2013 Report Posted May 14, 2013 You have my sympathy. I have a '63 M20C. I had my tanks stripped and re-sealed. $10,000 , 18 months and more than a couple of trips to the mechanic..... I now have a leak free Mooney...."knock on wood"..... If I had known then , what I know now.....bladders would have been considered more seriously Jim and I have been saying it for three years now, bladders are a permanent solution, and the cost is comparable. 1 Quote
DonMuncy Posted May 14, 2013 Report Posted May 14, 2013 From reading about fuel leak problems here, and some personal experience, I have concluded that there are 4 kinds of fuel tank leaks. 1. Leaking around screws on top (in wing walk), when tanks are full. Easy to fix and no real problem. 2. Leaking at the gaskets where the fuel level senders attach. A PITA to get to, but not too difficult to fix. 3. Leaking fuel sump valves. A pain to drain, or alternately, kinda messy to change with fuel in the tank, but otherwise not bad. 4. Leaking tank sealant. Ouch! Get out your checkbook and try to decide whether to patch, reseal or go with bladders. 1 Quote
Mooneymite Posted May 14, 2013 Report Posted May 14, 2013 From reading about fuel leak problems here, and some personal experience, I have concluded that there are 4 kinds of fuel tank leaks. 1. Leaking around screws on top (in wing walk), when tanks are full. Easy to fix and no real problem. 2. Leaking at the gaskets where the fuel level senders attach. A PITA to get to, but not too difficult to fix. 3. Leaking fuel sump valves. A pain to drain, or alternately, kinda messy to change with fuel in the tank, but otherwise not bad. 4. Leaking tank sealant. Ouch! Get out your checkbook and try to decide whether to patch, reseal or go with bladders. Since the stain is at the wing root, chances are good it is not a tank sealant issue. Quote
1964-M20E Posted May 14, 2013 Report Posted May 14, 2013 Do not forget the rubber fuel hose near the tank. Quote
Earl Posted May 14, 2013 Report Posted May 14, 2013 Also might want to check the fuel selector valve as they occasionally crack and the leak might run to a place along the wing root where it can get out. Had that problem happen to me not long after I had my wing leaks repaired. When I saw the fuel dripping and the odor I got very depressed that the repair didn't work. Then when the A&P discovered the crack in the fuel selector valve I again got depressed because a new valve, if you can find one, costs several thousand dollars. Found a used valve at Lasar for about $1K with shipping. Quote
rockydoc Posted May 14, 2013 Report Posted May 14, 2013 Thanks to referrals from this forum, I decided to trust Don Maxwell for the best solution. What a GREAT decision that was. i still can't believe his professionalism and at a really great price. He promises a fuel leak repair (not a total stripping and reseal) for $650.00. I can't rave enough about him. Prebuys for $900 coupled with an annual for only $950 additional. Every time I recommend him, I marvel in the quality and cost of his work. And, a really GREAT guy in addition,. What more could any of us want, eh? 1 Quote
fantom Posted May 14, 2013 Report Posted May 14, 2013 I marvel in the quality and cost of his work. And, a really GREAT guy in addition,. What more could any of us want, eh? Well, he could be a bit closer to the east coast, and that diet of his isn't working very well. No, neither is mine Quote
jimluper Posted October 14, 2013 Author Report Posted October 14, 2013 Where is Don Maxwell located at? Do you have a phone number, Thanks Quote
rbridges Posted October 14, 2013 Report Posted October 14, 2013 Any one have to face this repair and have an idea of what involved? no. you're the only one to have a leaking mooney tank. Quote
BigTex Posted October 14, 2013 Report Posted October 14, 2013 Where is Don Maxwell located at? Do you have a phone number, Thanks His shop is in Longview Texas. 903-643-9902 Quote
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