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Re: Europa-List: Down for the count - fuel tank leak

Subject: Re: Europa-List: Down for the count - fuel tank leak
From: Bill and Sue <bill.sue@orcon.net.nz>
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:40:50
It was turned into a can of pet food. Beware all animals that get in the 
way of a forced landing!

Sue & Bill


R.C.Harrison wrote:
>
> He vowed to never have her as a passenger again ! Joke  ....Not 
> intended that it would be Sue!
>
> D0 not archive.
>
>  
>
> Robt.C.Harrison
>
>  
>
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com 
> [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] *On Behalf Of *Pete 
> Lawless
> *Sent:* 14 August 2007 11:06
> *To:* europa-list@matronics.com
> *Subject:* RE: Europa-List: Down for the count - fuel tank leak
>
>  
>
> 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
> *To:* europa-list@matronics.com
> *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 <mailto:hagargs@earthlink.net>
>
>  
>
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