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09-23-2014, 04:01 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 1,647
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Apart from the residue is there any evidence that the sealant is softening or breaking down? If it was you'd expect to be able to scrape the surface away fairly easily. Don't think this has been mentioned anywhere.
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rgmwa
RV-12LR 912ULS
120346
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10-02-2014, 08:22 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Jackson, OH
Posts: 489
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Our condition inspection is upcoming and the tank SB is on the list. Looking at pulling the top of the tank off and going at it that way. For those who went this route, does the sending unit cover also need to be removed? How much sealant will be needed to put it all back together includng the new mechanical float gauge install.
Thanks.
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Airspeed, Altitude, or Brains...you need at least two
RV-12 #328
At 630 Hrs on the Hobbs
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10-03-2014, 04:12 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 1,647
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The sending unit cover doesn't need to be removed. The 3.5 oz sealant cartridge was just enough to do the tank top and mods with a little left over.
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rgmwa
RV-12LR 912ULS
120346
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10-03-2014, 08:09 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 905
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While I was prepping for mod 2 and before I discovered the residue mentioned earlier I was going to order two or three of the small packets of sealant until I was advised by Van's parts person that for a few dollars more I could have a quart. Bought the quart so I now have plenty. Especially in view of fact it is my aim to use none on the welded tank. Anyone interested in the quart make an offer.
Regarding the sealant in the tank it does not peel, or rub off. It looks normal. I have decided to not have the powdery residue analyzed. Cost is a factor, and frankly I am convinced it is simply partially dissolved sealant. The residue is deposited on the bottom of my tank and can easily be removed by rubbing it with a rag, or your finger. It is the same in color, appearance, and feel as the sealant. There is nothing coming into the tank other than gasoline which unfortunately contains 10% ethanol. Whatever of the residue that flowed out to the the gascolator was trapped in the screen. The carb bowls are clean. I believe Van's SB on ethanol says it all. Read the words as well as between the lines and you conclude that it's a shame we have to use this ethanol tainted fuel. but there it is and we are being advised that it could be a problem. I have never experienced any separation of water from the alcohol into the fuel as the fuel is consumed on a very regular basis. The fuel remains in my tank at best two weeks, and most of the time less than that.
I called Flamemaster (sealant producer) today to again discuss my experience and received this from tech:
If you are burning car gas with ethanol for four years you need to remove all the old sealant (I think that is nearly impossible) and re seal with new sealant material to avoid the problem you describe. If he is right it makes more sense to put in a new tank.
I don't know if it is a problem down the line or not. What I do know is I have experienced one with my otherwise near perfect airplane so I am in the process of a tank change.
Dick Seiders
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10-04-2014, 07:40 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Chuckey, TN
Posts: 82
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fuel residue in tank
Dick, if you will recall, I posted several days ago that I had residue in my tank, and I have used non ethanol mogas exclusively in my plane. So, if it's the tank sealant breaking down, it's caused by something in the gasoline other than ethanol.
Walt
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10-04-2014, 08:36 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 905
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Good food for thought Walt. What we don't know yet is if the residue in your tank is what is in mine. There may be effects from other additives in the fuel that is causing the problem, or it may be those in addition to ethanol. Don't know. I did comment in the vent mod post my feedback from the sealant mfr. Perhaps one day I will find more of the same in my sealant free tank, but I seriously doubt that. Thanks for your feedback. Good luck and keep us posted on what you find to resolve your contamination issue.
Dick Seiders
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10-04-2014, 11:01 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,820
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If nothing is making its way to the gascolator do you guys think this is a generic concern for the fleet?
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10-05-2014, 12:15 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
Posts: 2,645
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I know this has been posted in the 12 thread, but we all use the same fuel tank sealant. I am troubled by the sealant manufacture saying if you use fuel with ethanol you need to replace the sealant after a certain time. The thought of rebuilding my tanks does not thrill me at all.
Thanks for the heads up.
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rockwoodrv9a
Williamston MI
O-320 D2A
Awaiting DAR Inspection
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11-07-2015, 03:53 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: san rafael
Posts: 110
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Any update on this?
Also if proseal is not recommended for ethanol, then what sealant should be used?
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