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-   -   Gretz Pitot I Don't recommend (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=83262)

kbehrent 04-02-2012 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GusRV8 (Post 645635)
I bought mine a while back through SteinAir as well, exchanged it later for a heated unit, have yet to install it. Good to know the company is standing behind the product and will look to reference this thread if I experience any problems with the final installation.

What was the cause and the quick fix?

The cause of the leak was due to the inside of the composite shell not entirely bonding to the very tip of the metal tube. This can produce a very "small" leak if checked, but probably not enough affect you airspeed in flight. I just happened to perform a pitot/static check to test my system to hopefully avoid either faulty airspeed indication or none at all that seems to plague first flights.

Not knowing what was causing the leak, I contacted the new owners by email who immediately sent me a description of the fix. I had to laugh at first, but it actually makes sense and it works. The new owners are aware that "some" older models "may" have this issue and they now check for this before they ship the news ones out.

The fix is simple. You place a drop of thin or medium superglue into the opening of the pitot tip while applying a little suction to the metal tube. This draws the glue into the hairline crack in the composite shell surrounding the tip of the metal tube and seals it. All I can say is it works and I have 50 hrs on it now and it's still working great.

If you perform a pitot check, which I HIGHLY recommend for all first flights, and find that it slowly drains down, you may have the same issue. Don't panic! Contact the new owners by email and they will send you a PDF with the description of the fix.

I especially recommend a pitot check if you are using the Dynon pitot as a couple members in our EAA chapter have accidentally switched the pitot/static connections around and have lost airspeed indications @ 30kts. Not something I wanted to have happen on my first flight. :eek:

N15JB 04-02-2012 12:34 PM

I had a leak in my Gretz pitot in the same location, and was advised to make the same repair. While I thought it was a clever way to seal the leak, I had some concerns about the durability of super glue long term. I contacted tech support for the glue manufacturer and was told that super glue has a very narrow operating temperature range. I don't recall the exact numbers, but remember that super glue will likely fail at temps that we would see flying on a cold day, and also at temps that the pitot would reach when the heater is turned on. After some teeth gnashing on both ends, they finally agreed to send me a new pitot.

Jim Berry
RV-10

Fred H. 03-31-2013 05:09 AM

Drain Hole??
 
I would like too have the answer on why no drain hole???

Lan Vinh Do 03-24-2019 08:14 AM

Gretz pitot leak. Anybody have the procedure to fix it?
 
Hi.
I have a early gretz heated pitot 2006 or 2007 or 2008. ( inam not the builder).
I have a leak at the tip between the composite and the tube as describe in earlier post.

Somebody post that there was a pdf document to fix it with glue. Does anybody can send me this procedure? I can?t find gretz website or contact.

I don?t think it is affecting the speed at all but at every 24 month they tell me that i have a leak. Isolated the leak just there.

Let me inow if you have the procedure.

Thank you.


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