Well crap. Fuel leak, left tank...gotta pull it

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cjensen
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Well crap. Fuel leak, left tank...gotta pull it

Post by cjensen »

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... :cry: :roll:
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
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svanarts
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Post by svanarts »

I had leak problems on my RV-4 too. Took my a couple of tries to finally get it sealed. You'll get it.
Scott VanArtsdalen
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Spike
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Well crap. Fuel leak, left tank...gotta pull it

Post by Spike »

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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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... Image ImageChad Jensen N755CB|RV-7|Flying RV-7 Build Log rivetbangers.com - Discussion topic http://www.rivetbangers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=35287#35287
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bullojm1
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Post by bullojm1 »

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>.
Mike Bullock
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
Status: FLYING!

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cjensen
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Post by cjensen »

Sweet Mike!!! Been waiting to hear that!!

I'll be using new sealant, we have a plentiful supply in, ahem, "my" parts room... :wink:

And I will document the whole thing here...
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
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bullojm1
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Post by bullojm1 »

I hate your parts room! It sounds way more expensive than my parts rooms in Georgia and California.
Mike Bullock
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RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
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hydroguy2
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Post by hydroguy2 »

Oh No! say it ain't so. This is one of my biggest fears about painting first. My fuel leak was from a loose vent fitting and it scared the crap out of me.

Good luck with the repair.
Brian
Townsend, MT

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Joe Parish
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Post by Joe Parish »

Sorry to hear about your leak Chad :cry: Good luck with the repair :!:
Joe
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captain_john
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Post by captain_john »

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
RV-7
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It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

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cjensen
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Post by cjensen »

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... :( :bang:
Chad Jensen
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Wicked Stick
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Post by Wicked Stick »

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. ;).
Dave "WS" Rogers
RV-8 (125 hrs & counting)
N173DR

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cjensen
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Post by cjensen »

Yep, agreed...had a few issues to work thru, nothing major. I wouldn't even consider this major, just a time consuming issue. I have no reservations about the fix, it just sucks that I have to stay on the ground for more than a week!! :cry:

8)
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
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hydroguy2
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Post by hydroguy2 »

cjensen wrote:...... it just sucks that I have to stay on the ground for more than a week!! :cry:

8)
can I get a "Amen, Brother" :mrgreen:
Brian
Townsend, MT

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painless
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Post by painless »

Sorry to hear about the bump in the road Chad. Hopefully it will rain all this weekend anyway.....
Jeff Orear
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Hatz Classic, Welding fuselage
Hatz build log. https://eaabuilderslog.org/?blproject&p ... GNCwv&sid=
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