Leaking Tank Rivet

[Mark Dickens]

I had my tanks built for me in 2000 and never tested them myself. I just installed them on my newly constructed wings and went on my way since they were theoretically tested by the builder. Well, I decided to run another test, and lo and behold I have one leaking rivet on the top of the right tank.

Of course, the question is "how to fix"? One option is to pull the tank off the wing, cut an access hole in the rear baffle, drill out the rivet and install a new one with sealant. Another option is to use a self-sealing flush pop rivet like a AK-41H installed with pro seal.

I'm willing to do option one, but, I like the idea of option 2, but would like to know what others think or if anyone has tried this. Also, any other options??

Thanks!

[Jesse]

I have had good success recently with a drop of super glue around the rivet. That, or wicking grade loctite has been known to work. Is it already painted?

[Jimboscr]

Yep loctite works. I have seen a couple of people use it with success.

Jim

[Mark Dickens]

Nope not painted or even close to flying. Wicking action Loctite, huh? Didn't even know that existed...that piece of advice is worth the $25 I pay Doug each year by itself. Thanks!

[Larkrv10]

Mark, I know Locktite#290 wicks very well, and it's tough. I have used it on 3/8" threads about a inch long and it's almost impossible to undo after it sets up. There are a multitude of Locktite products out there. Good luck.

Rick
#40956
Southampton, Ont

[N941WR]

OK, I have a number of rivets leaked fumes, never a blue streak, which caused the paint to bubble up on the top of my left tank.

I pull a vacuum on the tank via the vent, put some green wicking Loctite on the rivets, then pushed in some proseal with my fingers over the rivets. I'm in the process of sanding off the paint so I can repaint it.

But...

Before I repaint it, how can I make sure the leak is fixed? Any suggestions?

One last thing. The cause of the leaks, I believe, if from when I had the plane disassembled and back home for the engine swap. While the wings were in the stand, I took some MEK and removed some excess proseal from the top of the left tank, which just happens to be the only place where these bubbles have appeared. I checked around and was told by a former Boeing tank builder that once the proseal is put on, you NEVER touch it with MEK or it will penetrate the goop and cause a leak. That was great to learn after the fact.

[Mark Dickens]

Yep, just ordered a small tube of 290...

Originally Posted by Larkrv10

Mark, I know Locktite#290 wicks very well, and it's tough. I have used it on 3/8" threads about a inch long and it's almost impossible to undo after it sets up. There are a multitude of Locktite products out there. Good luck.

Rick
#40956
Southampton, Ont

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

I did option two a few months ago. It was a piece of cake and, to me, it was much preferable to introducing more points of failure (and al dust and ****).



I was lucky because the leak was accessible via the fuel cap, so once I drilled the old rivet out, it was captured in the proseal and I was able to retrieve it.

Then I pumped in ProSeal...



...slathered the closed-end rivet and installed.






Cleaned up the ProSeal, waited, then polished the area. It looks perfect. No leak.

[Rupester]

Originally Posted by N941WR

While the wings were in the stand, I took some MEK and removed some excess proseal from the top of the left tank, which just happens to be the only place where these bubbles have appeared. I checked around and was told by a former Boeing tank builder that once the proseal is put on, you NEVER touch it with MEK or it will penetrate the goop and cause a leak.

I'm taking my pride & joy to the painters in a couple of weeks. I'm quite sure he intends to wipe down all exterior surfaces with MEK prior to priming. Yikes ... Does that carry the risk of resulting tank leaks?

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by LettersFromFlyoverCountry

I did option two a few months ago. It was a piece of cake and, to me, it was much preferable to introducing more points of failure (and al dust and ****).
......

Cleaned up the ProSeal, waited, then polished the area. It looks perfect. No leak.

Bob, what rivet did you use? Was it a 1/8 rivet with a small head?