leaking tank can I patch?

[Robert Bradbury]

I have a leak at the top of my tank when the tank is topped up. Yes i did say at the top, dead center where I installed an electronic gauge that I have never used. I bought this special mix that cost like 40 bucks for a tube and sealed it up about 9 years ago. I guess the sealant has shrunk and has allowed a fairly substantial leak.

Can I patch in place, or should I change it out. I do have a spare al. tank to
replace the metal one but I don't have the time . Now I wish I had never put
in the electrical system .

Oh, and can I fly with less gas for a while or is that illegal ?

Robert

[Bobdog]

Re: leaking tank can I patch?

It would NOT be a good idea to fly around with a leaking tank. Suppose you hit a little turbulance, some gas sloshed out...into the cockpit, and catches on FIRE!! REPAIR the leak or replace the tank BEFORE the next flight! The tank can be replaced in about 3 hours with the help of a friend.

[VictorBravo]

Re: leaking tank can I patch?

The tank can be replaced in about 3 hours.

On a clock in Timothy Leary's house, maybe...

[paulnuss]

Re: leaking tank can I patch?

I do believe when the Taylorcrafts were assembled at the factory, the main gas tank was suspended by a thin wire in mid-air, and then they proceeded to build an airplane around it. I would also think three hours is a very conservative stimate of time required. Yet it should be fixed before flight.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: leaking tank can I patch?

I don't know why everyone thinks it would be hard to change a main tank in 3 hours. I have done it in half that time.
Of course it was on my 45 with the engine, engine mount, cowl, boot windshield, instrument panel and doors out. Could have done it faster if the wings were off.
Hank
Course I'm known to work slow! ;-)

[Ragwing nut]

Re: leaking tank can I patch?

MIL 8802-B 1/2 fuel tank sealant is what I use to seal tanks when i don;t want to have them welded.

Mike

[Larry Lyons]

Re: leaking tank can I patch?

Mike, going to ask a dumb question. Where do you get the sealent and is it apporved for GA use? I do not know yet if mine are going to leak but as they are 66 years old and have been in less then perfect storeage for 34 years they are suspect. I have used tank slosh from the antique car community with great results and will do so here if I can. Just eliminate one worry!
Larry

[Robert Bradbury]

Re: leaking tank can I patch?

MIL 8802-B 1/2 fuel tank sealant is what I use to seal tanks when i don;t want to have them welded.

Mike

Is this product used externally or internally like a sloshing compound?Oh,
and where can you get the stuff?

Thanks, Robert

[Ragwing nut]

Re: leaking tank can I patch?

Is this product used externally or internally like a sloshing compound?Oh,
and where can you get the stuff?

Thanks, Robert

DO no use sloshing compound. Not so good things happen when that crap decides to come loose and clog the fuel line. That is only asking for trouble. It is an externally applied 2 part pliable epoxy mix. You can probably get it from Wick's, A/C Spruce or one of those outfits. What we use is distributed by Flamemaster and has a different number but is an equivilent to what I listed. We buy it locally.

Mike

[Larry Lyons]

Re: leaking tank can I patch?

I am not at all sure I can still get the same stuff, but what I used I bought in "93" or there abouts and put in two steel tanks that came out of a boat that had been scuttled and sat in a salvage yard for years. The tanks were very rusty inside. I sloshed the tanks, they have had standard gas and gasohol(sp) in them now for 14 years and the stuff is still stuck tight. The tanks live in a very harsh environment (Mid-West), high humidity, freezing cold below 0F, well over a 125F during operation in the summer. I know the composite homebuilt guys slosh fiberglass tanks before use.
Larry

[astjp2]

Re: leaking tank can I patch?

B-1/2 is not an epoxy, its fuel tank sealant and it is approved for all types of aircraft use. I used it on everything from a 747, F-15, UH-1, AH-64's, Taylorcrafts, RV's, DC-6's, to even missles. I have also used it go seal fuselage panels and as an anti chaff compound. If you do decide to use it, the tank should be practically spotless before applying it. If you cannot get it spotless, use a wire brush to get it as clean as you can. If you want to thin it some, you can use MEK to thin it but the working time is shorter. You can also get it in B-2, A-2 and A-1/2, (these specs have to do with cure times), spruce carries it along with just about any other good part supply house. If you have a steel tank, its actually Tern plate and can be soldered at any good radiator shop. Some radiator shops can even do aluminum. If you have a good working relationship with your IA, they would do a major repair form and send it in for you by doing a visual and a pressure check. If you pressure check it, NO MORE THAN 2-3 PSI or your tank could split like and egg. Good luck. Tim