Wing Tank Repair

[gmackay]

My wing tank needs a couple of weld repairs. What type of steel are these tanks made of? Is it 4130? Also, what safety precautions do they normally do when welding fuel tanks? Fill with some non-flamable liquid?

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

Steel tanks are made of ternplate and were soldered together. If you don't have acces to a high wattage iron, try a radiator shop. After the tank is repaired have an A&P or IA inspect it and sign it off.

Mike

[Robert Lees]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

And please leak test it before fitting. A ballon or condom works!

My own advice is that if a terneplate tank is leaking, it will continue to do so.

Replace with an aluminium one.

[gmackay]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

Thanks for the info guys.

Anyone have a aluminum wing tank for sale?(right side)

[wayne turner]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

is there a way to get the tank out of the wingwith out removing the fabric?will the tank come out the end of the wing?thanks ,wayne

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

is there a way to get the tank out of the wingwith out removing the fabric?will the tank come out the end of the wing?thanks ,wayne

Nope and nope. It is a PIA.

Mike

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

Yes they are prone to leaking. I have started using MIL spec fuel tank sealant such as 8802 over all the solder joints to eliminate future leaks.

Mike

[Robert Lees]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

The fabric does need to be removed. here's how we did ours .

[M Towsley]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

Hey Robert Lees,

It was truly a pleasure meeting you. Thanks for your time with the presentation and I'm glad you made it back safe.

Marty

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

Amen to that , Robert is one Good Brit!!

[VictorBravo]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

Amen to that , Robert is one Good Brit!!

Well, he'd be a GREAT Brit if he liked Austers a little more

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

Hi Bill , after spending two hours on the forumn last night , i then dug out Uncle Milty's book and read several pages. Neat stuff all over again, e-mail me direct sometime & lets plan a few things.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

if he liked Austers a little more

Dreadful things. Built with girders. I'm going to lie down now.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

I agree they are kind of overly stout..... neat to fly, I have flown the Mark VI ( I think) ....

[Jim Doody]

Re: Wing Tank Repair

I currently have a 1/2 interest in a J3, the other 1/2 owner has not shown much interest in the past several months and I expect we will offer it for sale this spring. I have no interest in keeping it, it is to small, to slow and it does not carry enough gas. I have been a lurker on this site, watching the T-craft market for a couple of years and the 70's and 80's F21-22 airplanes might meet my requirements. My question is about the gas tank problems I have read about with these airplanes. Anyone interested in describing the issues, the cure and what I need to investigate when looking? Or is it a case like my PA-12? If they are not leaking now they will leak soon? Thanks for the advice. Jim