ccsmith51
Well Known Member
:OK, here is my saga, pull up a chair and an adult beverage.
I purchased my plane in March 2011. There were no tank leaks at the time of purchase. Towards the end of June fuel started showing up at the lower inboard joint of the left tank. In short time it was dripping about a drop a second.
My friend and I pulled the tank, and removed the fuel sender and access plate. We cleaned up that bay by using an air grinder to clean the edges of the proseal, find fresh metal, wipe good with MEK, then put on fresh Van's Flamemaster.
We let it sit for a couple of days, put gas in it overnight, it didn't leak. We then flew to Colorado from North FL, and the day after arriving there, the tank was leaking again, although very little. No dripping fuel, just staining in the same area.
When we got back from our west trip, I drained the tank and went to NC for four months without the plane. When I got back I started on a tank repair.
I removed the tank, removed the fuel sender and access plate, and cut four large holes in the back of the tank, and made four covers:
Inside the tank I cleaned the edges of the proseal, cleaned to bare metal, cleaned with MEK, then applied flamemaster. I did this on the ribs and back panel, all joints. I used a bright light and flexible mirror to see that I had fresh flamemaster over the old proseal.
I installed the covers and sealed them, as well as the end plates:
I let the tank sit for a week to cure. I put a couple of gallons of fuel in on a Saturday and let it sit overnight. Sunday morning I went and there was a small stain around the lower left back rivet. I shot T&G's for 20 minutes, then filled the tank and went home.
Yesterday after work I went to check on the plane. I was very disappointed to find leaks stains around two of the lower mounting screws, and stains again at the lower inside corner.
So, I'm looking for options. I don't have the tools or experience to build a tank. Coming up with $1,200 - $1,500 for Evan to build me a tank right now is not in the budget.
Is it possible to purchase a tank from a wrecked or parted out RV-4? If so, how would I find one?
If I opened everything up again, and this time using Polygon and chisels and putty knifes and an air grinder and scotchbrite to remove as much of the existing proseal as possible, would I have a better chance of no leaks?
Any other suggestions?
The problem with leaks is that where they appear can be in a completely different location from where they start...
Thanks very much for any insight and assistance.
Chris
I purchased my plane in March 2011. There were no tank leaks at the time of purchase. Towards the end of June fuel started showing up at the lower inboard joint of the left tank. In short time it was dripping about a drop a second.
My friend and I pulled the tank, and removed the fuel sender and access plate. We cleaned up that bay by using an air grinder to clean the edges of the proseal, find fresh metal, wipe good with MEK, then put on fresh Van's Flamemaster.
We let it sit for a couple of days, put gas in it overnight, it didn't leak. We then flew to Colorado from North FL, and the day after arriving there, the tank was leaking again, although very little. No dripping fuel, just staining in the same area.
When we got back from our west trip, I drained the tank and went to NC for four months without the plane. When I got back I started on a tank repair.
I removed the tank, removed the fuel sender and access plate, and cut four large holes in the back of the tank, and made four covers:
Inside the tank I cleaned the edges of the proseal, cleaned to bare metal, cleaned with MEK, then applied flamemaster. I did this on the ribs and back panel, all joints. I used a bright light and flexible mirror to see that I had fresh flamemaster over the old proseal.
I installed the covers and sealed them, as well as the end plates:
I let the tank sit for a week to cure. I put a couple of gallons of fuel in on a Saturday and let it sit overnight. Sunday morning I went and there was a small stain around the lower left back rivet. I shot T&G's for 20 minutes, then filled the tank and went home.
Yesterday after work I went to check on the plane. I was very disappointed to find leaks stains around two of the lower mounting screws, and stains again at the lower inside corner.
So, I'm looking for options. I don't have the tools or experience to build a tank. Coming up with $1,200 - $1,500 for Evan to build me a tank right now is not in the budget.
Is it possible to purchase a tank from a wrecked or parted out RV-4? If so, how would I find one?
If I opened everything up again, and this time using Polygon and chisels and putty knifes and an air grinder and scotchbrite to remove as much of the existing proseal as possible, would I have a better chance of no leaks?
Any other suggestions?
The problem with leaks is that where they appear can be in a completely different location from where they start...
Thanks very much for any insight and assistance.
Chris