Well crap. Fuel leak, left tank...gotta pull it
Well crap. Fuel leak, left tank...gotta pull it
I've been fighting with a minor fuel leak on the top of my left fuel tank since the day I filled it up, and thought I had it nipped in the bud with Loctite wicking sealant. This past weekend while pre-flighting, I found blue stain on the bottom of the wing. I pulled the wing root to check on things, and blue stains were pretty much everywhere.
I'll be pulling the tank this weekend to bore some holes in the rear baffle to get in there and re-seal it...
I'll be pulling the tank this weekend to bore some holes in the rear baffle to get in there and re-seal it...
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- Chief Rivet Banger
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Well crap. Fuel leak, left tank...gotta pull it
Awwwww nutz. Sorry to hear about that dude. Document it though. I am interested in the level of difficulty that presents.
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Submitted via emailFrom: RB Lists - Screwup Chronicles <support@rivetbangers.com>
To: screwup@rivetbangers.com
Sent: Thu, Oct 21, 2010 20:34:07 GMT+00:00
Subject: Well crap. Fuel leak, left tank...gotta pull it
I've been fighting with a minor fuel leak on the top of my left fuel tank since the day I filled it up, and thought I had it nipped in the bud with Loctite wicking sealant. This past weekend while pre-flighting, I found blue stain on the bottom of the wing. I pulled the wing root to check on things, and blue stains were pretty much everywhere. I'll be pulling the tank this weekend to bore some holes in the rear baffle to get in there and re-seal it... Chad Jensen N755CB|RV-7|Flying RV-7 Build Log rivetbangers.com - Discussion topic http://www.rivetbangers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=35287#35287
Best of luck to you fixing it Chad. Are you buying new ProSeal, or are you using some of the old stock, if you had any left?
While you're grounded this weekend, I might be the opposite <hint><hint>.
While you're grounded this weekend, I might be the opposite <hint><hint>.
Mike Bullock
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
Status: FLYING!
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
Status: FLYING!
I hate your parts room! It sounds way more expensive than my parts rooms in Georgia and California.
Mike Bullock
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
Status: FLYING!
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
Status: FLYING!
- Joe Parish
- Class D
- Posts: 311
- Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 3:42 pm
- Location: Sioux Falls SD
- captain_john
- Sparky
- Posts: 5880
- Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
- Location: KPYM
Chad,
Sorry to hear that you are looking down the barrel of some repairs. Tell me...
As I recall you clecoed the whole tank(s) together wet with proseal then riveted.
I have some questions for you.
Do you think that this method had anything to do with your leak?
Do you have any other leaks?
Would you employ that method again?
CJ
Sorry to hear that you are looking down the barrel of some repairs. Tell me...
As I recall you clecoed the whole tank(s) together wet with proseal then riveted.
I have some questions for you.
Do you think that this method had anything to do with your leak?
Do you have any other leaks?
Would you employ that method again?
CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!
I would definitely build the tanks with that method again. I would over-goop the rear baffle tho. That's where the leaks are. I don't have any along the ribs. That rear baffle, as so many of us know, is more or less of a crap shoot when sealing it since you can't see what the heck is going on when you press it in position. I don't think I put enough of a bead along the baffle in this tank. The right tank is dry as can be (KNOCK ON WOOD!!)...
It starts tomorrow...
It starts tomorrow...
- Wicked Stick
- Class B
- Posts: 1000
- Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:00 pm
- Location: KEWB
Every phase one plane has issues to cure. Some worse than others.
Back when you built them, did you "air" leak test them ? If so, did it hold pressure for several days ?
No fuel leaks yet for me <crossing fingers on that one> but I have had a few squawks to remedy.
1. High Fuel pressure. (Still working on why, changing mech pump soon)
2. Slight oil leakage from the mechanical fuel pump. (changing out the pump with a new one)
3. Pitch trim was wired backwards. (easy fix)
Thankfully, the P-mags have been working flawlessly and starts are a breez. All CHT's are within 10 of each other and none have gone past 370 during the break-in. I've not had to add any oil either so the engine seems nice and tight so far. (no oil on the belly either and I don't have an air oil seperator either.)
Take you time with the Tank fix, it's not going to be that bad if you just take your time with it. At least the tanks come off the wing fairly easy too, unlike some spam cans we know of. .
Back when you built them, did you "air" leak test them ? If so, did it hold pressure for several days ?
No fuel leaks yet for me <crossing fingers on that one> but I have had a few squawks to remedy.
1. High Fuel pressure. (Still working on why, changing mech pump soon)
2. Slight oil leakage from the mechanical fuel pump. (changing out the pump with a new one)
3. Pitch trim was wired backwards. (easy fix)
Thankfully, the P-mags have been working flawlessly and starts are a breez. All CHT's are within 10 of each other and none have gone past 370 during the break-in. I've not had to add any oil either so the engine seems nice and tight so far. (no oil on the belly either and I don't have an air oil seperator either.)
Take you time with the Tank fix, it's not going to be that bad if you just take your time with it. At least the tanks come off the wing fairly easy too, unlike some spam cans we know of. .
Dave "WS" Rogers
RV-8 (125 hrs & counting)
N173DR
RV-8 (125 hrs & counting)
N173DR
Sorry to hear about the bump in the road Chad. Hopefully it will rain all this weekend anyway.....
Jeff Orear
RV6A N782P
Hatz Classic, Welding fuselage
Hatz build log. https://eaabuilderslog.org/?blproject&p ... GNCwv&sid=
Peshtigo, WI
RV6A N782P
Hatz Classic, Welding fuselage
Hatz build log. https://eaabuilderslog.org/?blproject&p ... GNCwv&sid=
Peshtigo, WI