Fuel tank leak fix thread
Fuel tank leak fix thread
I don't have a lot of time right now, but I'll throw out some pics from this morning's tank removal...thankfully it rained all morning!
Here are a couple of pics of the leaking areas...the bottom-
...and the top where the red hash marks are-
Tank bolts removed...this was a PAIN IN THE ASS. It sucked. Period.
Staining on the spar-
The leak on the TOP of the tank, extends between the red arrows-
This was interesting to find, but not terribly unexpected with SW float senders...it has a small leak at the sender screw itself. Not a whole lot I can do about that unless I replace it-
Sad pic...
So tomorrow I plan to cut holes in the rear baffle...
It's not as bad as I was expecting to see, but now I am TOTALLY dreading putting those tank bolts back in when I'm done.
Gotta run...more later!
Here are a couple of pics of the leaking areas...the bottom-
...and the top where the red hash marks are-
Tank bolts removed...this was a PAIN IN THE ASS. It sucked. Period.
Staining on the spar-
The leak on the TOP of the tank, extends between the red arrows-
This was interesting to find, but not terribly unexpected with SW float senders...it has a small leak at the sender screw itself. Not a whole lot I can do about that unless I replace it-
Sad pic...
So tomorrow I plan to cut holes in the rear baffle...
It's not as bad as I was expecting to see, but now I am TOTALLY dreading putting those tank bolts back in when I'm done.
Gotta run...more later!
-
- Chief Rivet Banger
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- Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:40 pm
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Fuel tank leak fix thread
Woooow dude. This is my biggest fear. I fought my tanks, one of them especially.
Please make sure you vent that tank thoroughly before exposing it to any tools that could act as an ignition source.
Spike
Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless
-----Original message-----
Please make sure you vent that tank thoroughly before exposing it to any tools that could act as an ignition source.
Spike
Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless
-----Original message-----
Submitted via emailFrom: RB Lists - Screwup Chronicles <support@rivetbangers.com>
To: screwup@rivetbangers.com
Sent: Sat, Oct 23, 2010 20:11:38 GMT+00:00
Subject: Fuel tank leak fix thread
I don't have a lot of time right now, but I'll throw out some pics from this morning's tank removal...thankfully it rained all morning! Here are a couple of pics of the leaking areas...the bottom- ...and the top where the red hash marks are- Tank bolts removed...this was a PAIN IN THE ASS. It sucked. Period. Staining on the spar- The leak on the TOP of the tank, extends between the red arrows- This was interesting to find, but not terribly unexpected with SW float senders...it has a small leak at the sender screw itself. Not a whole lot I can do about that unless I replace it- Sad pic... So tomorrow I plan to cut holes in the rear baffle... It's not as bad as I was expecting to see, but now I am TOTALLY dreading putting those tank bolts back in when I'm done. Gotta run...more later!Chad Jensen N755CB|RV-7|Flying RV-7 Build Log rivetbangers.com - Discussion topic http://www.rivetbangers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=35315#35315
Today was cutting day...but first, I started by removing the inspection panel on the inboard rib by taking out the screws, giving a good slice thru the sealant with a knife, and it popped right off...
Then it was time. Time to use everyone's favorite tool...the fly cutter. I have to say that I was quite pleased with how this worked out. I was dreading it because of the fly cutter's reputation for grabbing stuff and flinging it across rooms. This was a breeze actually...other than needing ear plugs to mute the squeal of the cutter.
Three holes cut at 5" and one at 3.75" all cleaned up.
I took a few pictures of the "bead" that was there from when I built the tanks. I actually didn't think it would look as good as it did, but it obviously wasn't good enough. One pic is good enough to show what each bay looked like.
From what I've read, almost everyone says to keep the working hole as small as possible...why? I don't know...less surface area to reseal later? Anyway, it was gonna be hard enough/messy enough as it was, so my larger 5" holes aided in maneuverability to get the sealant spread. It's still a mess in there, but the fillet is nice and smooth on the top and bottom...
And then the thread had to be ruined by some crazy dude peaking thru a hole at you...
I'll let that setup until tomorrow night, and then check things over. I may put a small amount of fuel in the tank and tip it so it doesn't spill out of the working holes to check for leaks along the baffle seam before I seal the patch covers in place.
Then it was time. Time to use everyone's favorite tool...the fly cutter. I have to say that I was quite pleased with how this worked out. I was dreading it because of the fly cutter's reputation for grabbing stuff and flinging it across rooms. This was a breeze actually...other than needing ear plugs to mute the squeal of the cutter.
Three holes cut at 5" and one at 3.75" all cleaned up.
I took a few pictures of the "bead" that was there from when I built the tanks. I actually didn't think it would look as good as it did, but it obviously wasn't good enough. One pic is good enough to show what each bay looked like.
From what I've read, almost everyone says to keep the working hole as small as possible...why? I don't know...less surface area to reseal later? Anyway, it was gonna be hard enough/messy enough as it was, so my larger 5" holes aided in maneuverability to get the sealant spread. It's still a mess in there, but the fillet is nice and smooth on the top and bottom...
And then the thread had to be ruined by some crazy dude peaking thru a hole at you...
I'll let that setup until tomorrow night, and then check things over. I may put a small amount of fuel in the tank and tip it so it doesn't spill out of the working holes to check for leaks along the baffle seam before I seal the patch covers in place.
-
- Chief Rivet Banger
- Posts: 4013
- Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:40 pm
- Location: Baltimore, MD
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Thanx for the pics. How do you plan on plugging those holes in the back? Are you going to do a similar design as the fuel sender panel?
Spike
Spike
http://www.rivetbangers.com - Now integrating web and mail!
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
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- Chief Rivet Banger
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- Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:40 pm
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Nice. Blind rivets or screws for those panels?
Spike
Spike
http://www.rivetbangers.com - Now integrating web and mail!
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
- captain_john
- Sparky
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- Chief Rivet Banger
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Good news Chad. Let us know know how the test goes. I hope I don't have to go through this.
Spike
Spike
http://www.rivetbangers.com - Now integrating web and mail!
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl