[rebel-builders] Tank Leak
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 6:15 pm
Hi Al !
It's unusual to get a leak after so long ... Does it leak if the tank
is only half full ??? The most common leak is along the top rear seam
of the tank - so it only shows when full or close to it.
There's TONS of good tips in the ARCHIVES on this - try searching
on 'leaks' or 'fuel tank' ... for starters. There's a good chance you
may not have to open the tank - especially if it's just a leaking rivet.
For rivets, just drill out, slather a new one with pro-seal & replace.
Several builders have had good results using a stethoscope to
listen for leaks, LIGHTLY pressurizing the tank by LOOSELY stuffing a
Shop Vac exhaust hose in the filler neck .... OR just brush soapy water
over the rear and pressurize the same way - the bubbles will point to the
leak. Of course, you'd have to empty the tank first .... ;-)
If it is leaking on a section of seam, you can use Brushable ProSeal
(forget the number, but it IS in the Archives) - it's like honey, so flows.
Clean the area as much as possible, then put the Shop Vac hose on
the SUCK side, into the filler neck - LOOSELY, not sealed !! Brush the
brushable ProSeal on the outside, wait until it is sucked into the seam, turn
off the Vac and wait until cured.....
You are very wise to avoid the slosh !! I've got some horror pics and
stories ,,,,
Good luck with the tank !
--
......bobp
bobp@prosumers.ca
http://www.amway.ca/BobPatterson
http://bpatterson.qhealthbeauty.com
http://apatterson2.ordermygift.com
Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender
and do not necessarily reflect the views of any other entities or persons.
Any action taken as a result of the contents of this email is totally the
responsibility of the reader.
On March 24, 2010 09:36:29 pm Alan Hepburn wrote:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://mail.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It's unusual to get a leak after so long ... Does it leak if the tank
is only half full ??? The most common leak is along the top rear seam
of the tank - so it only shows when full or close to it.
There's TONS of good tips in the ARCHIVES on this - try searching
on 'leaks' or 'fuel tank' ... for starters. There's a good chance you
may not have to open the tank - especially if it's just a leaking rivet.
For rivets, just drill out, slather a new one with pro-seal & replace.
Several builders have had good results using a stethoscope to
listen for leaks, LIGHTLY pressurizing the tank by LOOSELY stuffing a
Shop Vac exhaust hose in the filler neck .... OR just brush soapy water
over the rear and pressurize the same way - the bubbles will point to the
leak. Of course, you'd have to empty the tank first .... ;-)
If it is leaking on a section of seam, you can use Brushable ProSeal
(forget the number, but it IS in the Archives) - it's like honey, so flows.
Clean the area as much as possible, then put the Shop Vac hose on
the SUCK side, into the filler neck - LOOSELY, not sealed !! Brush the
brushable ProSeal on the outside, wait until it is sucked into the seam, turn
off the Vac and wait until cured.....
You are very wise to avoid the slosh !! I've got some horror pics and
stories ,,,,
Good luck with the tank !
--
......bobp
bobp@prosumers.ca
http://www.amway.ca/BobPatterson
http://bpatterson.qhealthbeauty.com
http://apatterson2.ordermygift.com
Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender
and do not necessarily reflect the views of any other entities or persons.
Any action taken as a result of the contents of this email is totally the
responsibility of the reader.
On March 24, 2010 09:36:29 pm Alan Hepburn wrote:
After 4 years, the left tank on my Elite has developed a leak. Fuel is
gradually dripping out along the entire trailing edge of the wing, so it is
not clear where the leak is coming from. Of course, visual access there is
very limited (one aileron hinge inspection plate). I have tried a snake
camera but results are not very good. However, the outboard rib looks leak
free, so I suspect somewhere on one of the rear tank bulkheads.
I have been advised against sloshing, as it tends to come loose. The fix
would appear to be to cut a hole in the top of the tank, fix the leak, then
Proseal a patch over the hole, but I'd really like to identify the leak
location before I do that. I'm considering drilling out the lower trailing
edge rivets so I can get a better look at the back of the tank. And
advice from someone who has been there ahead of me would be appreciated.
Al Hepburn
Elite 587
-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at: https://mail.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe: rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator: mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------