WagAero Tanks

[gmackay]

In case anyone else is interested...........WagAero is now selling new 6gal wing tanks. They did a nice job, exactly like the original I had (without the leaks!).

[Laz]

Re: WagAero Tanks

Thanks for the picture. How much do they charge for them? I have one cracked alluminum tank. Interstingly the filler necks on mine are Steel. What are these made of?

[Bobdog]

Re: WagAero Tanks

Taylorcraft used steel necks on the main and wing tanks, that were aluminum soldered to the tanks. It worked fairly well, however they are known to come loose. You can buy a new aluminum filler neck from Wag that is exactly like the original steel one and have it welded in a lot cheaper than buying a new tank.
Bob

[Laz]

Re: WagAero Tanks

Thaks that is exacly what i will do. I have one tank that has a crack around the outlet that needs welded anyway. Did you have to Clean you tanks in any special way?

[hangarb7]

Re: WagAero Tanks

This should be an interesting thread on your question of cleaning tanks.

Years ago when I was a welder (of steel) and we had to repair a steel fuel tank. We washed and rinsed the tank with a degreaser solution, but the tank would still smell of gasoline and I was told that it could still generate enough fumes to blow up, so we would fill and cap the tank almost to the top and turn the tank over to where it was breached. Then we would position the bubble of air inside the tank under the crack and weld. There would be so little air space (and gas fumes in that bubble) that an explosion was impossible. It worked well but obviously, with all that water it was messy.

I was told that the "old-timers" (I am now one of those!) would sometimes direct the exhaust from an auto into the tank while welding. The absence of oxygen in the exhaust fumes would prevent an explosion, too.

Years later I have a fuselage tank on my TC that had the new bottom outlet welded on by the previous owner and when I asked him how he did it (he is a pretty good tig welder) he said he just rinsed the tank with water and welded it so maybe we made too much of the latent fumes....

How do you fellows do it?

Jack Dernorsek
N44057

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: WagAero Tanks

In case anyone else is interested...........WagAero is now selling new 6gal wing tanks. They did a nice job, exactly like the original I had (without the leaks!).

How m uch do they want for them? Brie

[gmackay]

Re: WagAero Tanks

They charge $425 a piece for the tanks..........but they are brand new. And the filler neck is aluminum.

I agree that there are times it makes more sense to repair a tank rather than replace it. But I had already had bought a used tank (sight unseen, my bad) then found bad thread fittings, had them replaced(new ones welded in) then still found another leak after that. Oh well, I learned a lot, but am tired of messing with 60yr old stuff. And I really don't want to have to tear the wing apart anytime soon. The new tank is still no guarantee, but I think my chances are better.

[Bobdog]

Re: WagAero Tanks

There is no special cleaing needed to weld on new filler necks. Just use a STAINLESS steel tooth brush all around the area that is to be welded, untill it looks like new aluminum. Same thing with the new neck. The old aluminum solder is very weldable and does not need to be removed. Do not try to flame weld it. Take it to good tig welder. He (or she) will know how to fill the tank with CO2 or what ever, so it won't explode while welding. This is really no big deal......a very simple job for any competent welder.

(I'm not even competent and my tank came out pretty good)

Bob

[Pearson]

Re: WagAero Tanks

If anyone needs their fuel tanks welded, I can recommend Dash Air in Troutdale, Oregon. He charges $100/hour and did both of my aluminum wing tanks in 1.5 hours. If you need contact info, let me know.