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Fuel Tank Leak

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Dave Disney

Joined: 16 Aug 2010
Posts: 54
Location: Weston-Super-Mare

Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 12:11 pm Post subject: Fuel Tank Leak

The day after flying back from the Shuttleworth DOTH I noticed a strong smell of fuel in the hanger. Investigation led to mopping out about a litre of fuel from under the baggage bay area.



Further investigation has proved that the fuel tank is leaking. Strangely,  it only begins to leak when 35+ litres of fluid is in the tank. I've taken the wings off and checked as best I can to identify where the leak is, but haven't identified exactly where it is coming from other than it is from the reserve (starboard) side of the tank.



I really don't fancy the idea of ripping out and replacing the tank, so I want to investigate all options before rushing in. Has anyone investigated using a bag tank inside the existing tank?



My previous aircraft, a Glos Airtourer, had a bag tank as do many military and other aircraft, Piper Aztec springs to mind, so it should be possible. I'm thinking that access could be made between the headrests. Is this a structural area, if so, how big an access would be allowable? In case you haven't guessed, I'm not the builder of the aircraft but I would tackle replacing the plastic fuel tank if I have to. I just don't like the idea of removing some of the structural elements of the aircraft to replace a tank with a new one that could suffer the same fate sometime in the future. At least a bladder tank can be removed and repaired if necessary.



Any thoughts anyone?



Dave

G-RJWX

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steven.pitt2(at)ntlworld.
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 1:13 pm Post subject: Fuel Tank Leak

Dave,

My immediate suggestion would be to talk to Bud Yerly in Florida as he has 

already written up the process for replacing the fuel tank.

In the UK the Europa club has two technical representatives in Nigel Graham 

and John Wighton, and Neville Ayre has worked on many Europas in the UK 

having previously worked at Europa in the early development and peak sales 

period.

So you have many sources of expertise available to you if you do not fancy 

having a go at it yourself.

I am not aware of anyone using an in tank bladder but again my thought would 

be that you do not want to reduce the tank size if you can help it.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Steve Pitt

Chairman, Europa Club

G-SMDH

---

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ken carp

Joined: 31 Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Location: Knoxville, TN

Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 1:15 pm Post subject: Fuel Tank Leak

First, be sure the source.  I thought I had a tank leak and turned out to be the fitting at the bottom of the tank.  Redid all the hoses and leak solved.  Others have not been so lucky.  



Sent from my iPad

Ken Carpenter



 	  Quote: 	
		   On Jul 13, 2015, at 4:11 PM, Dave Disney <davedisney(at)yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

 

 

 

 The day after flying back from the Shuttleworth DOTH I noticed a strong smell of fuel in the hanger. Investigation led to mopping out about a litre of fuel from under the baggage bay area.

 

 Further investigation has proved that the fuel tank is leaking. Strangely,  it only begins to leak when 35+ litres of fluid is in the tank. I've taken the wings off and checked as best I can to identify where the leak is, but haven't identified exactly where it is coming from other than it is from the reserve (starboard) side of the tank.

 

 I really don't fancy the idea of ripping out and replacing the tank, so I want to investigate all options before rushing in. Has anyone investigated using a bag tank inside the existing tank?

 

 My previous aircraft, a Glos Airtourer, had a bag tank as do many military and other aircraft, Piper Aztec springs to mind, so it should be possible. I'm thinking that access could be made between the headrests. Is this a structural area, if so, how big an access would be allowable? In case you haven't guessed, I'm not the builder of the aircraft but I would tackle replacing the plastic fuel tank if I have to. I just don't like the idea of removing some of the structural elements of the aircraft to replace a tank with a new one that could suffer the same fate sometime in the future. At least a bladder tank can be removed and repaired if necessary.

 

 Any thoughts anyone?

 

 Dave

 G-RJWX

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=444701#444701

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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_________________
ken carpenter

jimlawnn(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 1:49 pm Post subject: Fuel Tank Leak

Dave,

  I had a "leak" on that side which was in fact the large input hose where it attaches to the tank. I had over tightened the hose clip which had distorted boss on the tank which caused the leak - mainly during refuelling.

Jim Lawn



Sent from my iPad



 	  Quote: 	
		   On 13 Jul 2015, at 21:22, Dave Disney <davedisney(at)yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

 

 

 

 The day after flying back from the Shuttleworth DOTH I noticed a strong smell of fuel in the hanger. Investigation led to mopping out about a litre of fuel from under the baggage bay area.

 

 Further investigation has proved that the fuel tank is leaking. Strangely,  it only begins to leak when 35+ litres of fluid is in the tank. I've taken the wings off and checked as best I can to identify where the leak is, but haven't identified exactly where it is coming from other than it is from the reserve (starboard) side of the tank.

 

 I really don't fancy the idea of ripping out and replacing the tank, so I want to investigate all options before rushing in. Has anyone investigated using a bag tank inside the existing tank?

 

 My previous aircraft, a Glos Airtourer, had a bag tank as do many military and other aircraft, Piper Aztec springs to mind, so it should be possible. I'm thinking that access could be made between the headrests. Is this a structural area, if so, how big an access would be allowable? In case you haven't guessed, I'm not the builder of the aircraft but I would tackle replacing the plastic fuel tank if I have to. I just don't like the idea of removing some of the structural elements of the aircraft to replace a tank with a new one that could suffer the same fate sometime in the future. At least a bladder tank can be removed and repaired if necessary.

 

 Any thoughts anyone?

 

 Dave

 G-RJWX

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=444701#444701

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

graeme bird

Joined: 15 Jul 2010
Posts: 434

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 10:38 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Tank Leak

I had a leak from the vent flange too. Solved with new rubber.

I also have around an 80mm hole in the top between the headrests for the fuel level sensor (air world) and I believe some have one sensor for each side so its not structural and you could inspect/repair via those holes

- The Matronics Europa-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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_________________
Graeme Bird
kit4 (Wagstaff) TBD
Kit3 G-CLXU (Gregory) mono 914 xs Woodcomp
Kit2 G-PATS - (kesterton) Mono Classic 912 warpdrive
Kit 1 G-UMPY - Mono Classic/XS 912S, Woodcomp G(@)gdbmk.co.uk

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