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Gas tank repair

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larywil(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 3:08 pm Post subject: Gas tank repair

Hi gang,



A few months ago, many of you gave me a lot of help/instruction to 

remove my leaky tank. I finally removed it today, with a lot less 

problems than I anticipated.  BUT, I am finding that the large (6") 

access plate is not so obedient.  I carefully removed all 12 screws. 

Now what?  The plate is prosealed in place, and has lots of 

additional sealant from previous repairs. I removed most of the added 

repair sealant while trying not to gauge away at the plate and rib. 

Since I am not the builder, I am not sure what I am now looking at. 

Looking at the edge of the access plate, it appears to be two layers 

of aluminum resting on the rib material. Is there a reinforcement 

ring between the access plate and the rib material? (I am calling the 

ends of the tank "ribs" since they in fact are acting as such). 

Whatever is there, the access plate is firmly attached with proseal 

to the rib or ring below.



Anyway, I do not want to destroy this tank. How do I lift the access 

plate away? Do I need to soften up the proseal? Can this be done? 

Help!!  I love you guys. Help! 



Thanks in advance.



-

Louis I Willig

1640 Oakwood Dr.

Penn Valley, PA 19072

610 668-4964

RV-4, N180PF

190HP IO-360, C/S prop

Larry Bowen

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 802
Location: NC, USA

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject: Gas tank repair

If all the screws are out, only the proseal is holding it on.  Work a blade of some sort between the access cover and the rib, being careful not to score anything.



Some more notes and pictures here:



http://bowenaero.com/mt/2006/11/conditional-inspection-2006.html

 



-- 

Larry Bowen

Larry(at)BowenAero.com (Larry(at)BowenAero.com)

http://BowenAero.com



On Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 6:05 PM, Louis Willig <larywil(at)comcast.net (larywil(at)comcast.net)> wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> RV-List message posted by: Louis Willig <larywil(at)comcast.net (larywil(at)comcast.net)>

  

 

 Hi gang,

 

 A few months ago, many of you gave me a lot of help/instruction to

 remove my leaky tank. I finally removed it today, with a lot less

 problems than I anticipated.  BUT, I am finding that the large (6")

 access plate is not so obedient.  I carefully removed all 12 screws.

 Now what?  The plate is prosealed in place, and has lots of

 additional sealant from previous repairs. I removed most of the added

 repair sealant while trying not to gauge away at the plate and rib.

 Since I am not the builder, I am not sure what I am now looking at.

 Looking at the edge of the access plate, it appears to be two layers

 of aluminum resting on the rib material. Is there a reinforcement

 ring between the access plate and the rib material? (I am calling the

 ends of the tank "ribs" since they in fact are acting as such).

 Whatever is there, the access plate is firmly attached with proseal

 to the rib or ring below.

 

 Anyway, I do not want to destroy this tank. How do I lift the access

 plate away? Do I need to soften up the proseal? Can this be done?

 Help!!  I love you guys. Help! 

 

 Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

 -

 Louis I Willig

 1640 Oakwood Dr.

 Penn Valley, PA 19072

 610 668-4964

 RV-4, N180PF

 190HP IO-360, C/S prop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 	


  [quote][b]

_________________
Larry Bowen
RV-8 SOLD,
RV-7QB in progress...

kboatright1(at)comcast.ne
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:15 pm Post subject: Gas tank repair

Get a metal putty knife and file the edge to a chisel point, then use that 

to cut through the proseal.



KB

---

mrobert569(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:15 pm Post subject: Gas tank repair

Louis,

  

 There may , or may not, be a cork gasket between the tank rib and the panel.  My favorite weapon of choice for removing this panel is a slightly sharpened butter knife.  Start working the knife between the panels and work it around the panel cutting and prying slowly as you go.  I tell everyone to take their time when doing this and you will cause very little damage.  Good luck.

  

 Mike Robertson

 Repeat offender

 Das Fed 





   

 > Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2008 18:05:09 -0500

 	  Quote: 	
		   To: rv-list(at)matronics.com

 From: larywil(at)comcast.net

 Subject: Gas tank repair

 

 --> RV-List message posted by: Louis Willig <larywil(at)comcast.net>

 

 

 Hi gang,

 

 A few months ago, many of you gave me a lot of help/instruction to 

 remove my leaky tank. I finally removed it today, with a lot less 

 problems than I anticipated. BUT, I am finding that the large (6") 

 access plate is not so obedient. I carefully removed all 12 screws. 

 Now what? The plate is prosealed in place, and has lots of 

 additional sealant from previous repairs. I removed most of the added 

 repair sealant while trying not to gauge away at the plate and rib. 

 Since I am not the builder, I am not sure what I am now looking at. 

 Looking at the edge of the access plate, it appears to be two layers 

 of aluminum resting on the rib material. Is there a reinforcement 

 ring between the access plate and the rib material? (I am calling the 

 ends of the tank "ribs" since they in fact are acting as such). 

 Whatever is there, the access plate is firmly attached with proseal 

 to the rib or ring below.

 

 Anyway, I do not want to destroy this tank. How do I lift the access 

 plate away? Do I need to soften up the proseal? Can this be done? 

 Help!! I love you guys. Help! 

 

 Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

 -

 Louis I Willig

 1640 Oakwood Dr.

 Penn Valley, PA 19072

 610 668-4964

 RV-4, N180PF

 190HP IO-3======

 

 

 


	


Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser! Learn more.  [quote][b]

dcr(at)fdltownhomes.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:17 pm Post subject: gas tank repair

Louis:  I used a heat gun to warn and soften the Proseal.  I understand the fuel tank is full of vapors and I kept the heat gun away from the tank access plate as possible but still heat the plate sufficiently to soften the Proseal and used a razor knife under the plate, MEK to clean.  Hope this helps, Dan.  

        [quote][b]

Doug Gray

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 112
Location: Sydney, Australia

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 2:44 am Post subject: Gas tank repair

Get at it with plastic steak knives.  Cheap and effective and doesn't

marr the alclad.

Doug Gray



On Sun, 2008-02-24 at 18:05 -0500, Louis Willig wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 

 Hi gang,

 

 A few months ago, many of you gave me a lot of help/instruction to 

 remove my leaky tank. I finally removed it today, with a lot less 

 problems than I anticipated.  BUT, I am finding that the large (6") 

 access plate is not so obedient.  I carefully removed all 12 screws. 

 Now what?  The plate is prosealed in place, and has lots of 

 additional sealant from previous repairs. I removed most of the added 

 repair sealant while trying not to gauge away at the plate and rib. 

 Since I am not the builder, I am not sure what I am now looking at. 

 Looking at the edge of the access plate, it appears to be two layers 

 of aluminum resting on the rib material. Is there a reinforcement 

 ring between the access plate and the rib material? (I am calling the 

 ends of the tank "ribs" since they in fact are acting as such). 

 Whatever is there, the access plate is firmly attached with proseal 

 to the rib or ring below.

 

 Anyway, I do not want to destroy this tank. How do I lift the access 

 plate away? Do I need to soften up the proseal? Can this be done? 

 Help!!  I love you guys. Help! 

 

 Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

 -

 Louis I Willig

 1640 Oakwood Dr.

 Penn Valley, PA 19072

 610 668-4964

 RV-4, N180PF

 190HP IO-360, C/S prop

Dale Ensing

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 571
Location: Aero Plantation Weddington NC

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:05 am Post subject: Gas tank repair

A method we have used successfully. when doing the SB fix on the pick up 

line, is to use a very flexible putty knife sharpened a bit on the end edge. 

Work it in between the plate and the ring. It helps if you can warm the 

Proseal.(heat lamp or sun)  After you have one side loose you can apply some 

pressure to the plate by pulling/lifting on the loose side which will help 

get the knife in around the remaining edge. A little bending of the plate is 

OK when you are pulling on it as it will straighten when you release the 

pressure.

Dale Ensing

EAA TC & FA



---

_________________
Dale Ensing
RV-6A
Aero Plantation
Weddington NC

aerobubba(at)earthlink.ne
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:41 am Post subject: gas tank repair

Hey Guys-



RE:  >Louis:  I used a heat gun to warn and soften the Proseal.  I understand the

 	  Quote: 	
		  fuel tank is full of vapors and I kept the heat gun away from the tank

access plate as possible but still heat the plate sufficiently to soften the

Proseal and used a razor knife under the plate, MEK to clean.  Hope this

helps, Dan.


	


If MEK will soften the proseal, how about standing the tank on it's outboard end with MEK on the inbd end.  Put some sort of cover over the butt rib to limit evaporation.  If you let the tank sit a day ot two, would the access panel come free easily, or would you just cause other problems?



Glen Matejcek

Terry Watson

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 290
Location: Seattle, WA USA

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:37 am Post subject: Gas tank repair

You might try a plastic putty knife. I have a set of three that were very

cheap but seem to be just the right hardness and stiffness to scrape gunk

off of aluminum without damaging the aluminum.



Terry

--

larywil(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject: Gas tank repair

At 06:02 AM 2/25/2008, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



A method we have used successfully. when doing the SB fix on the 

pick up line, is to use a very flexible putty knife sharpened a bit 

on the end edge. Work it in between the plate and the ring. It helps 

if you can warm the Proseal.(heat lamp or sun)  After you have one 

side loose you can apply some pressure to the plate by 

pulling/lifting on the loose side which will help get the knife in 

around the remaining edge. A little bending of the plate is OK when 

you are pulling on it as it will straighten when you release the pressure.

Dale Ensing

EAA TC & FA


	


Dale,



you are the first person to use the word " ring".  Is there a ring ( 

like a reinforcing) between the access plate and the tank wall?  I 

see what looks like two layers of metal  attached to the rib.  Is 

this an illusion?  (or is there actually a ring between the access 

plate and the tank wall? I have been unable to decide where to attack 

with my sharpened knife.



Several people have suggested heating the area. This is a great idea. 

And there are zero fumes left in the tank.



Thanks to all so far. I've been on the "list" for over ten years, and 

this is why.



-

Louis I Willig

1640 Oakwood Dr.

Penn Valley, PA 19072

610 668-4964

RV-4, N180PF

190HP IO-360, C/S prop

khorton01(at)rogers.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject: Gas tank repair

 	  Quote: 	

 At 06:02 AM 2/25/2008, you wrote:

> 

> <densing(at)carolina.rr.com>

>

> A method we have used successfully. when doing the SB fix on the  

> pick up line, is to use a very flexible putty knife sharpened a  

> bit on the end edge. Work it in between the plate and the ring. It  

> helps if you can warm the Proseal.(heat lamp or sun)  After you  

> have one side loose you can apply some pressure to the plate by  

> pulling/lifting on the loose side which will help get the knife in  

> around the remaining edge. A little bending of the plate is OK  

> when you are pulling on it as it will straighten when you release  

> the pressure.

> Dale Ensing

> EAA TC & FA

 you are the first person to use the word " ring".  Is there a ring  

 ( like a reinforcing) between the access plate and the tank wall?   

 I see what looks like two layers of metal  attached to the rib.  Is  

 this an illusion?  (or is there actually a ring between the access  

 plate and the tank wall? I have been unable to decide where to  

 attack with my sharpened knife.

There is a reinforcing ring, but it should have been installed on the  

inside of the tank.  But, perhaps the builder put it on the outside.   

If there truly are two layers of metal outboard of the tank rib, then  

the putty knife would need to go between the access cover and the  

next layer.  The reinforcing ring should be riveted to the tank rib,  

so you won't be prying it loose with a putty knife.

Good luck,

--

Kevin Horton

RV-8 (Finishing Kit)

Ottawa, Canada

http://www.kilohotel.com/rv8

rv6n(at)optonline.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:21 pm Post subject: Gas tank repair

Louis C 

  6nbsp;

 It has been years since I closed up my RV6 tanks but from what I remember we had the option of using a cork gasket 6nbsp;and or using the pro-seal 6nbsp;to prevent leaks E 6nbsp; I chose to just use the pro-seal 6nbsp;but I think you are looking at your tank and seeing the outer 6nbsp;plate and the cork and the pro-seal 6nbsp; E 6nbsp; The ribs were stamped to have raised reinforcing areas and I believe that is what the last lister was referring 6nbsp;to as the ring but 6nbsp;I think you took it as a separate 6nbsp;backer plate and I don 7t think that is the case E 6nbsp; If I am wrong maybe 6nbsp;Dale will chime in to clarify 6nbsp;what he is calling the ring E 6nbsp; You have some good advice already and I will most likely use some of it myself since I have not done this SB 6nbsp;either E 6nbsp; What I read that I like is using the flexible puddy 6nbsp;knife sharpened and the heat lamp to warm the pro seal 6nbsp;since it can be some tough stuff E 6nbsp; It is not a job I look forward to either but you can do it C just go at it E 6nbsp; It sounds like you removed your tanks and that should make it easier C I will attack mine through the wing root fairing area E 6nbsp; I also remember using some Allen 6nbsp;head screws to attach the cover plate to make it easier to unscrew C we 7ll see if it actually works E 6nbsp; You may want to consider them when reinstalling yours E 6nbsp; Good luck with yours C you could have it back together by the weekend E 6nbsp; I am in the middle of the second condition inspection E

  6nbsp;

 do not archive

  6nbsp;

 Bob Bales

 RV6 

 71 hours

 FOK



---

Dale Ensing

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 571
Location: Aero Plantation Weddington NC

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:14 am Post subject: Gas tank repair

I do not recall a separate reinforcement ring on my 6A. Only that which is 

formed into the rib/tank wall. Could you be seeing a cork gasket? Or other 

gasket material? I suggest you start working the tool between the access 

plate and what ever is next.

Dale



---

_________________
Dale Ensing
RV-6A
Aero Plantation
Weddington NC

mike109g6(at)insideconnec
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:30 am Post subject: Gas tank repair

Dale,

As I recall on my 9A there is a separate reinforcement ring that the 

nutplates as flush riveted to and then prosealed to the inside of the outer 

most rib.  The cover plate is then prosealed on the inside and then attached 

to the rib with screws with the cork gasket sandwiched between.  This is the 

cover plate NOT the sender attach plate.  So the screws are through cover 

plate-cork gasket-rib-reinforcement ring-platenuts.  Check your plans set 

but I am almost positive that is how the 9A tanks are assembled.  Now for 

the disclaimer before anyone jumps my neck-Check you plan set, I may be 

wrong since I have not looked at the plans for about 2 years, this is only 

my recollection of the sequence.

Mike H 9A/8A

---

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