Bill
Tell all what did you do to the cow that caused the fuel tank to leak?
Pete
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Bill and
Sue
Sent: 14 August 2007 08:33
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Down for the count - fuel tank leak
Steve,
I had to replace my tank after an incident with a cow!
It was not as nearly as bad as I thought it would be. ( The repair, not
hitting the cow!)
I removed the tank by cutting the top off the cockpit module about 20mm
below the top edge. The tank was stuck hard to the fibreglass straps
that
hold it in place so I just cut it to pieces in place and took it out bit
by
bit, this was a bit tedious but did not present any problems.
I prepared the new tank ready so that when I put it in it would be a one
time job only with no in and out trials.
To put the tank in I had to spread the fuselage enough for it to slip in
on
to the original support lay-ups and check that it was in the correct
position. When the tank looked to be positioned correctly and not
fouling
any controls I then lifted it as high as possible and managed to get a
redux
- flox mix on to the brackets sufficient to hold the tank in place. The
top
of the cockpit module was replaced using the normal glass splicing
techniques.
I also increased the width of the spacers that prevent the tank from
expanding forward. I was concerned that the amount it moved when full of
fuel could cause cracking.
This all happened 500 hrs ago and it has never shown any defect.
Rgds
Mono XS
914 Airmaster
Bill Sisley
Steve Hagar wrote:
After having the aircraft down for awhile with the fuel tank drained to
avoid having stale gas present I noted a leak upon gassing it up. I was
going to bring it over to Phoenix Composites to have the prop
rebalanced.
It looked like it was coming from the lower feed boss where the big
piece of
short hose is clamped on. I was in a hurry and going on vacation in 2
days
for a few weeks. I didn't want to deal with it then so re-drained the
tank
to re-address it later.
Upon re-gassing it up upon return the gas started flowing out at a rate
of
about a third as fast as I was pouring it in! Upon inspection it was
determined that it was coming from a crack in the tank near the bottom
of
the saddle section reserve side where a fiberglass layup support is
attached. It appears that the strapping has acted as a stress raiser
along
with expansion and contraction in the AZ heat.
In any case it looks like it may have to be sawzall time for the top of
the
cockpit module for repair. Has anyone gone through a repair to a fuel
tank
an a fully built aircraft? What was the routine? I am not looking
forward
to this and am possibly considering just parting the aircraft out. I
could
have been out flying and pumped all the fuel out of the reserve return
side in a matter of about 10 minutes if I didn't light it off.
Feed back appreciated
Steve Hagar
A143
Mesa AZ
914
Airmaster
Steve Hagar
hagargs@earthlink.net
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