The fueltank in the wing

[mhorowit]

My plan is to do the minimum needed to get this beast in the air. I'd like to remove all the fabric on the wings and the green glue, and then let an inspector tell me what I need to fix.

Removing the tank will require removing steel rods which go thru it. Any reason I can't simply use a condom to check for leaks and let it go at that? - MIke

[Guest]

Re: The fuel tank in the wing

Inpect it carefully and pressure test it with compressed air at 2 or so psi (or a little more), look for chaffing where it might be worn thin (deep deep chafes).

Clean it out real good. Look inside using a small flashlight when the room is dark.

Vacuum the tank interior clean with your shop vac, tape a small dia, hose to the end and perhaps a small hin walled tube or pipe to that so you can really get in there and vacuum it clean.

I have no clue what the condom is for.

Dave

[dewhitaker]

Re: The fueltank in the wing

Dave, condoms have various uses, depending on the need at the time...

I believe at this point Mike wants to put one over the filler neck of the tank and pressure test the tank. The condom will expand with the air pressure and pop off the tank in the event the air pressure gets too great. As you stated, no more than two pounds pressure, any more and you risk splitting the tank open. If the condom stays inflated, you do not have a leak.

Go for it Mike, let us know how it turns out!

[Guest]

Re: The fueltank in the wing

Dave,

LOL, I should have seen that coming!

I usually put the cap on and seal the vents, then adjust the air pressue with a regulator thru the fuel port and scrub soap bubbles all over the surface with a 1" paint brush. Any seepage along a seam will show up in the bubbles as they will not remain stationary.

Dave

[mhorowit]

Re: The fuel tank in the wing

Inpect it carefully and pressure test it with compressed air at 2 or so psi (or a little more), look for chaffing where it might be worn thin (deep deep chafes).

Clean it out real good. Look inside using a small flashlight when the room is dark.

Vacuum the tank interior clean with your shop vac, tape a small dia, hose to the end and perhaps a small hin walled tube or pipe to that so you can really get in there and vacuum it clean.

I have no clue what the condom is for.

Dave

Dave - this sounds like it might be done without removing the wing tank.
When you say "clean it out real good" - my mind boggles with all the possible ways you caould mean. Your recommendation? - Mike

[Ray36048]

Re: The fueltank in the wing

There is something I saw at Home Depot this weekend. It is called a Snake Scope. $200, it appears to be a small video camera on a long flexible tube with LED lights and a color display. I have not seen it in operation. I did not open it to see the size of the head. This could be usefull to inspect the inside of fuel tanks. It may be small enough to go through a spark plug hole.

[vetdrem]

Re: The fueltank in the wing

According to their web page (http://www.optilia.eu/uploads/files/...a9102f2125.pdf) the camera diameter is 16MM which I think is just over 5/8" .

[Guest]

Re: The fuel tank in the wing

Dave - this sounds like it might be done without removing the wing tank.
When you say "clean it out real good" - my mind boggles with all the possible ways you caould mean. Your recommendation? - Mike

Mike, absolutely it can be done without removing the tank.

I was responding to you initial post that indicated you did not want to remove it.

I should have said that explicitly, sorry about that.

Clean it real good might make more sense after you look inside.

When I did that I saw rust and debris I had to vacuum out from corners and low spots. I have found bugs and gaskets too, no condoms though.

Dave

[Guest]

Re: The fueltank in the wing

I have a See Snake and a borescope they are very handy and I am sure the snake will fit in a tank.

I found that you can see the inside very well with eyeball and a small "AA" or "AAA" maglite (flashlite). It works best for me in a darkened room or outside after dusk so that my eyes aren't reacting to the brightness on the outside.

[astjp2]

Re: The fueltank in the wing

Check for leaks by using a balloon over the fillerneck and blowing into one of the other orfices. Use soapy water to check for bubbles. Now this is important, check the physical condition of the joints and welds, if anything looks cracked, check it out further and get it repaired. You do not have a tank cover so if you have a leak or seep, and you use auto fuel, it will blister the fabric and then you will be sore. Once you have the tank reinstalled make sure that the ribs and spars are not rubbing and chaffing, if they do, you will get a leak after a while and then you will have to cut open the bay and fix it. Take this from experience, inspect 5 times and repair once. Good luck. Tim

[dewhitaker]

Re: The fueltank in the wing

Hey tribe, I need to throw out one word of caution here. DO NOT vacuum gasoline out of a tank with your shop vac! The fumes may explode inside the vacuum cleaner, and make for a very bad day.

Clean and drain the tank first. With something that is not explosive!

There have been some accidents from people doing these things, it takes very little fuel to create a big bang. Do not do it.

[Guest]

Re: The fueltank in the wing

Good point Dave

I referred to vacuuming the tank but assumed folks new about this.

I should have stated it explicity.

Dave

[VictorBravo]

Re: The fueltank in the wing

DO NOT vacuum gasoline out of a tank with your shop vac! The fumes may explode inside the vacuum cleaner, and make for a very bad day.

THANK YOU! I might have not thought of that one... that's a Heineken for you if we ever meet!

[bashibazouk]

Re: The fueltank in the wing

Hey tribe, I need to throw out one word of caution here. DO NOT vacuum gasoline out of a tank with your shop vac! The fumes may explode inside the vacuum cleaner, and make for a very bad day.

Clean and drain the tank first. With something that is not explosive!

There have been some accidents from people doing these things, it takes very little fuel to create a big bang. Do not do it.

Or you might consider using a pneumatic vac like this:



(Poster is not affiliated with The Yard Store or its sales dept.-- he just doesn't want to see crispy Taylorcraft remnants.)

Josh

(soon-to-be owner of NC24369)

[Robert Lees]

Re: The fueltank in the wing

[off topic] Welcome to the Tribe, Josh [/off topic]