[rebel-builders] Leaking Elite Tank
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:36 pm
Al
One idea mentioned at Bob and Anna's meeting today was to establish a
slight vacuum in the tank while applying thin proseal to the exterior
then removing the vacuum and letting it harden. I would probably make a
very small hole in the wing skin appropriately positioned to do this
since you know where the leak is. And for overkill I might also do the
following:
The picture you've painted in my mind is to position the wing so the
leak is the lowest point. Then adding proseal by brush or even brushable
proseal via a tube possibly from a 2 oz. semkit cartridge. Maybe get
some adhesion promoter in there first since this would be on top of
existing proseal.
Ken
disclaimer - I've never had to repair a leak myself
On 07/01/2012 12:09 PM, Alan Hepburn wrote:
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One idea mentioned at Bob and Anna's meeting today was to establish a
slight vacuum in the tank while applying thin proseal to the exterior
then removing the vacuum and letting it harden. I would probably make a
very small hole in the wing skin appropriately positioned to do this
since you know where the leak is. And for overkill I might also do the
following:
The picture you've painted in my mind is to position the wing so the
leak is the lowest point. Then adding proseal by brush or even brushable
proseal via a tube possibly from a 2 oz. semkit cartridge. Maybe get
some adhesion promoter in there first since this would be on top of
existing proseal.
Ken
disclaimer - I've never had to repair a leak myself
On 07/01/2012 12:09 PM, Alan Hepburn wrote:
To everybody, and Wayne in particular:
After tolerating a leaky tank for two years, I finally took the left wing
off and brought it home to the basement. I confirmed with a balloon that
there is a detectable leak - the balloon goes flat in 5 minutes or less.
The gas eventually emerges all along the trailing edge, so it looked like
the leak was either in the outboard end of the tank, or the rear bulkhead.
I used an inspection camera (with the lens on a flexible fibre optic
extension) to look inside for gas stains. I could see them aft of the tank,
but not at the outboard end. I couldn't see them well enough to locate the
leak, however. I turned the wing leading edge down and flooded the area of
the back bulkhead (which should be leaktight to a depth of 1/2" or so) and
pressurised the tank again. Sure enough, there are bubbles coming from the
bottom, aft outboard corner.
I am inclined to think that I might be able to get at that location with a
long flexible brush and some thinned Proseal and fix the problem without
cutting holes in the tank. What do you think, guys?
Al Hepburn
Petawawa ON
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