Piper J3
Well Known Member
I just did the Fuel Tank Attach Modification Service Bulletin 13-12-19. I accomplished the modification by carefully removing the tank lid to gain better access to the lower front edges of the tank. All went well and tank was resealed with ProSeal. Tank was filled with 20 gallons 93E10 to calibrate the fuel gauge. The airplane sat for a full week with completely full fuel tank and no fuel odor was noticed when canopy was raised. I even left the fuel shut off valve in the open position to static test the fuel lines up to and including the gascolator. Very good.
Now I have flown the plane three times for roughly an hour each flight and have 5 gallons remaining in the tank. On the first flight I noticed fuel smell occasionally on climb out and occasionally in cruise flight with a fair amount of turbulence. Second flight was a little less fuel smell and the third flight was still less but smell was occasionally still there. I suspect the leak to be very small, and of course, difficult to find.
I see no evidence of a leak at the tank. It might be carb float bowl overflow but I don?t see evidence of residue in the drip pans. I have searched VAF and found a thread for RV-12 Fuel Tank Leak that?s not much help.
My question is? has anyone used a dye solution specifically made for detecting fuel leaks? I found a UV dye additive for auto fuel that fluoresces under black light. Anybody try anything like this?
Now I have flown the plane three times for roughly an hour each flight and have 5 gallons remaining in the tank. On the first flight I noticed fuel smell occasionally on climb out and occasionally in cruise flight with a fair amount of turbulence. Second flight was a little less fuel smell and the third flight was still less but smell was occasionally still there. I suspect the leak to be very small, and of course, difficult to find.
I see no evidence of a leak at the tank. It might be carb float bowl overflow but I don?t see evidence of residue in the drip pans. I have searched VAF and found a thread for RV-12 Fuel Tank Leak that?s not much help.
My question is? has anyone used a dye solution specifically made for detecting fuel leaks? I found a UV dye additive for auto fuel that fluoresces under black light. Anybody try anything like this?