Jim, and all,
I'm going to use the pro seal approach and keep an eye on it. I would
like to use the patch but have no material. Question... Since it is a
patch why not just use a local piece of fuel can material. I thought
Id' follow your advice and and rough it up with 80 grit on both the
patch and the tank plus clean them with acetone before application.
Sound okay to you all?
Thanks,
Jeff R.
A258 - N128LJ / Gold Rush
On Jul 14, 2009, at 2:21 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> Jeff
>
> The patch was a "feel good thing" I did. I was unsure how well the pro
> seal would work and I felt the need for insurance.
>
> The tank about three or four years later developed a crack like you
> have. It had also cracked at the edge of the fiberglass layup in the
> tunnel. I had to replace the tank and I did NOT glass it in. Its free
> standing...
>
> Once I got the tank out I had a look at the original patch.. It was
> still sealed tight. I took pliers and tried to pull it off, I got it
> removed, but it was in torn in several pieces by the pliers.
>
> Jim Brown
>
> --- On Tue, 7/14/09, JEFF ROBERTS <jeff@rmmm..net> wrote:
>>
>> From: JEFF ROBERTS <jeff@rmmm.net>
>> Subject: Europa-List: Tank Leak Found
>> To: europa-list@matronics.com
>> Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 6:14 PM
>>
>> To All that responded... THANKS!
>> After applying pressure to the tank and using a water soap mixture I
>> have located a 2 inch crack in the tank running diagonal from the
>> corner of the glass lay-up in the tunnel. Its where the glass is
>> bonded onto the tank to hold it in. It looks like a stress crack as
>> the non giving glass may have pulled on the tank as it flexed. I'm
>> now in agreement with Steve in that these tanks should not be glassed
>> in but rather fitted in a way that allows some movement. Okay too
>> late for me now... It is however in an area that I can reach it to
>> repair it either using pro-seal or the tap plastics product.
>>
>> Options:
>> 1. I used the messy pro seal to seal my sender unit in the top of the
>> tank a few years back and it works well. I'm concerned about not
>> being able to compress a patch around it or over it though. Maybe
>> once it sets up thats not necessary. ???
>> 2. The video on the Tap plastics Polyweld Greg sent sounds like a
>> better way to go as a permanent patch. This one though may require me
>> to cut an additional hole behind the access hole and then repair that
>> later. BUT... how do I make sure all the fumes are out of the tank
>> after draining it so I don't blow myself up :o( trying to flame treat
>> the to be repaired area on the tank. Maybe continuing to pump air
>> into the tank and allow the fumes to eventually evaporate thru the
>> filler cap. Any other Ideas to help me avoid burning off any facial
>> hairs are welcome.
>>
>> Best regards and thanks to all!!
>>
>>
>> Jeff R.
>> A258 - N128LJ / Gold Rush 191 hours and down for repairs.
>
>
|