REFLECTOR:fuel tank leak testing

dean fitzbag reflector@tvbf.org
Sat, 5 Jul 2003 12:01:20 -0500


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I'm still having difficulty finding and eliminating my fuel tank leaks.  =
Let me review what I have done.

My two small bulkheads between the large rear bulkhead and the main spar =
have already been installed, but I can get my hand through the opening.

I reduce the pressure on my air tank/pump to a few psi (so I can easily =
stop the flow with my finger) so as to not damage the tank.  I can hear =
the air escaping from behind the large bulkhead.  When I first began =
working on it, I could feel air coming from that area just by reaching =
my hand in there.  I have used a soapy solution, but cannot see any =
bubbles.  I have used this technique with tires  before with good =
results.  However, the pressure in those cases were over 30psi.

I then tried using the tubing as some of you suggested.  The sound is =
not localized and seems to be very steady all along the rear bulkhead.

I have applied sealant all along the seam using a paint brush attached =
to a pair of sticks so that I can adjust the paint brush after getting =
it through the small bulkheads.

It is hard to tell without quantitative measurement, but I think it is =
improving some.

I also tried to spray epoxy in the cavity using a water sprayer.  The =
epoxy and cabasil were too think to really spray.

Any help would be appreciated.
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<DIV>I'm still having difficulty finding and eliminating my fuel tank=20
leaks.&nbsp; Let me review what I have done.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>My two small bulkheads between the large rear bulkhead and the main =
spar=20
have already been installed, but I can get my hand through the =
opening.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I reduce the pressure on my air tank/pump to a few psi (so I can =
easily=20
stop the flow with my finger) so as to not damage the tank.&nbsp; I can =
hear the=20
air escaping from behind the large bulkhead.&nbsp; When I first began =
working on=20
it, I could feel air coming from that area just by reaching my hand in=20
there.&nbsp; I have used a soapy solution, but cannot see any =
bubbles.&nbsp; I=20
have used this technique with tires&nbsp; before with good =
results.&nbsp;=20
However, the pressure in those cases were over 30psi.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I then tried using the tubing as some of you suggested.&nbsp; The =
sound is=20
not localized and seems to be very&nbsp;steady all along the rear=20
bulkhead.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I have applied sealant all along the seam using a paint brush =
attached to a=20
pair of sticks so&nbsp;that I can adjust the paint brush after getting =
it=20
through the small bulkheads.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>It is hard to tell without quantitative measurement, but I think it =
is=20
improving some.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I also tried to spray epoxy in the cavity using a water =
sprayer.&nbsp; The=20
epoxy and cabasil were too think to really spray.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Any help would be appreciated.</DIV></BODY></HTML>

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