Fuel tank removal

[Dan Michaels]

While looking over my new BC12D I found the previous owner used auto fuel and it smells like varnish. I want to remove the tanks because the drain is frozen in and cannot be removed for fuel removal. Can the tank be removed without taking all the fabric off? It has two wing tanks. I am going to remove the wings and have the struts inspected. I have to paint the fuselage so it makes that easier also.

Dan

[Robert Lees]

Re: Fuel tank removal

Hello Dan,

Wing tanks
Just because the drain is "frozen" in and the varnish smell is no reason to remove the tanks, unless there is no other option. With care, the core of the frozen drain can be drilled out (and then an "ezy-out" used for the brass outside piece). Flush the tank of swarf, replace with a new drain valve, and bingo.

The source of the varnish, however, needs to be investigated...probably not from auto fuel...possibly from a "sloshing" compound? Check with your mechanic and /or IA to make sure there is not an easier way to rectify the tank problem (removal of the tanks from the wings may not be necessary if a flush will resolve the problem).

If you DO decide to remove the wing tanks, then unfortunately, it cannot be done without some fabric surgery, although it's not too difficult if you or your mechanic know a little about fabric work.

My own experience & method of replacing a wing tank is here but I'm sure others have their own methods of doing the same (I took the wing off to do it).

If you do go to the trouble, then it would be worth ensuring that the tank you put back in is leak-proof...do a leak-test before installation.

There is lots of info on this site on this subject; try a search.

[Strut Inspection
The wings do not have to be removed to inspect the struts (unless you so wish, or space is an issue)

All the best, and let us know what you decide & how you get on.

Rob

[Dan Michaels]

Re: Fuel tank removal

Thanks for the info I will search the site also. I already have one wing ready to come down and the other should be pretty close. The smell is from bad gas (you know from years of sitting around.) The plane has not flown in 15 years and the auto gas is very old. I do fabric work for a living so it is not a problem. I was wondering if the tank came out the end but I see now that I have the wing lowered it will not.

Dan

[Pearson]

Re: Fuel tank removal

Dan,

I recently had both of my wing tanks out to have leaks welded up. I would rather take a beating than go through that again. If there is any way you can avoid removing the wing tanks, I suggest you do it.

On the other hand, if you are going to be recovering the wings, removing the tanks is not a problem.

Also rather than replace the fabric over the tank, I chose to get a 337 to install a sheet of aluminum over the tanks. I sent a copy of the paperwork involved to Rob Lees for posting with all the other STCs and 337s, if you are interested in that option. The nice thing about it is you can really open up the root area of the wing for inspection.

If you do have to remove the tanks, I suggest you get some tiny electrical tie wraps. At the end of each of the two wire/rods that go through each tank there is a nipple. Before you do anything, put one of the small tie wraps around each one as tight as you can. This will keep the nipple from falling back into the metal cup bolted to each spar.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Fuel tank removal

The 337 data to which Richard refers is here .

[Dan Michaels]

Re: Fuel tank removal

Dan,

I recently had both of my wing tanks out to have leaks welded up. I would rather take a beating than go through that again. If there is any way you can avoid removing the wing tanks, I suggest you do it.

On the other hand, if you are going to be recovering the wings, removing the tanks is not a problem.

Also rather than replace the fabric over the tank, I chose to get a 337 to install a sheet of aluminum over the tanks. I sent a copy of the paperwork involved to Rob Lees for posting with all the other STCs and 337s, if you are interested in that option. The nice thing about it is you can really open up the root area of the wing for inspection.

If you do have to remove the tanks, I suggest you get some tiny electrical tie wraps. At the end of each of the two wire/rods that go through each tank there is a nipple. Before you do anything, put one of the small tie wraps around each one as tight as you can. This will keep the nipple from falling back into the metal cup bolted to each spar.

Thanks that should help a lot. I have the wings off and just got the fuselage home just now. The problem is just an accumulation of things. I have to paint the fuselage inbetween the wings. Plus some taping that was not done on the stringers. Those wings are so deep that litle guy like me cannot reach that far. Then you take the Spar AD, then the fuel crap. then the fitting that needs to be drilled out. Everything led to just bite the bullet and remove the wings and take the tanks out. I did not want to take the chance of burning up the whole plane if something were to happen. And then why burn the wing up for the same reason. I like the aluminum cover Idea.

I have two more wings for the other project that I have and one is not covered. I am going to look at it so I can see what I am up against before I start.

Dan

[astjp2]

Re: Fuel tank removal

What Spar AD?