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-   -   leaking fuel tank rivet (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=79991)

roadrunner20 09-05-2012 09:19 PM

Rivet weeping cured by push method.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DanLandry (Post 686386)
I developed the same problem yesterday on a rivet close to the leading edge.

Once I get the fuel level below the rivet, instead of the vacuum, I was thinking of fabricating a syringe with a gasket & push the green loctite into the rivet area.

BTW, My plane's been flying 6 years and this developed yesterday.
Strange how these things crop up out of nowhere.

I'll provide an update when available.

This is an update on my original post.
Seven days into my fix of a weeping rivet, problem solved...

As stated above, I used a a syringe with a 1/2 diameter barrel. I cut & removed the needle mount to expose the 1/2" opening. I made sure the cut was clean & symetrical to allow a perfect seal when placing over the skin & weeping rivet. I used Pliobond as it has a slow cure and is chemical & gas resistant.

To begin the process the fuel level must be below the weeping rivet.
1. Remove the fuel cap.(this will allow a pressure variant)
2. Load a small amount of pliobond into the syringe.
3. Place the opening cut end over the weeping rivet and make sure you have a solid seal against the skin.
4. Depress the syringe. You should feel resistance if you have a solid seal against the skin & providing the push.
5. Repeat step #4 to insure enough pliobond consumes rivet.
6. Let cure for 48 hours to ensure proper seal.

Others have suggested green loctite, which may be a better product. But, I happen to have pliobond that I had previously used & was recommened by Lycoming for crankseal sealing.

Hope this works for your situation. It's a low cost alternative to what others have suggested. Now I just have to come up with a way to remove the blue fuel stain.

s10sakota 09-06-2012 06:06 AM

Since I am just beginning the construction of my fuel tanks, what is the best way to prevent this from happening in the future? Maybe sometimes this can not be prevented, but I'd sure like to do what ever it takes now so that I never get a weeping rivet!

Any advice to a builder that's just starting the tanks?

DanH 09-06-2012 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s10sakota (Post 696671)
Since I am just beginning the construction of my fuel tanks, what is the best way to prevent this from happening in the future? Maybe sometimes this can not be prevented, but I'd sure like to do what ever it takes now so that I never get a weeping rivet!
Any advice to a builder that's just starting the tanks?

Read the 100 or so pages in the archives? ;)

g zero 09-06-2012 07:58 AM

Leaking rivets
 
Are the leaking ,seeping rivets located in random areas or more leaks in one area such as the back bulkhead ? I saw Dan H put some access panels on the rear bulkhead to allow proper sealing . How have your tanks held Dan ? What diam. are the access holes ? I am working on my slow build wings and trying to gather as much info before I start on the fuel tanks.
Thanks , Tom

roadrunner20 09-07-2012 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s10sakota (Post 696671)
Since I am just beginning the construction of my fuel tanks, what is the best way to prevent this from happening in the future? Maybe sometimes this can not be prevented, but I'd sure like to do what ever it takes now so that I never get a weeping rivet!

Any advice to a builder that's just starting the tanks?

I guess, It just happens.
Mine did after 6 years flying.:(

Vlad 11-26-2012 05:16 PM

Removing left tank to fix this







Couple rivets on top are "breathing" and I want to fix them properly. Thank you Rick for great illustration of the problem. Invasive surgery will be performed via rear baffle. Boy what a pain to remove the tank with pushrod on the way.

RV10Rob 11-26-2012 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s10sakota (Post 696671)
Any advice to a builder that's just starting the tanks?

Mine just started leaking at 160 hours and 1.5 years, near the root. I've heard recently that you shouldn't stand on the wing forward of the spar. Probably good advice. As a result, my paint shop didn't install the nonskid forward of the spar.

-Rob

Av8torTom 11-26-2012 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad (Post 719672)

Couple rivets on top are "breathing" and I want to fix them properly. Thank you Rick for great illustration of the problem. Invasive surgery will be performed via rear baffle. Boy what a pain to remove the tank with pushrod on the way.

Vlad, why not try the green loctite with a small vacuum in the tank first? If that doesn't work you can always remove it later if that doesn't work.

Vlad 11-26-2012 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Av8torTom (Post 719742)
Vlad, why not try the green loctite with a small vacuum in the tank first? If that doesn't work you can always remove it later if that doesn't work.


I want to fix it right way and with a guarantee Tom. Tank is already off.

Av8torTom 11-27-2012 11:12 AM

Start here
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by s10sakota (Post 696671)
Since I am just beginning the construction of my fuel tanks, what is the best way to prevent this from happening in the future? Maybe sometimes this can not be prevented, but I'd sure like to do what ever it takes now so that I never get a weeping rivet!

Any advice to a builder that's just starting the tanks?

Mark, start with this thread. Best info and advice on this in my opinion
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ead.php?t=7602


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