SonexBuilders.net

Article relating to the plastic fuel tank from AOPA.

http://www.aopa.org/asf/epilot_acc/cen10la050.html

Just so it is clear, the failure wasn't with the fuel tank. The failure was with the sealant the previous owner used to fix a leaky tank fitting. The sealant came loose, clogged the fuel finger strainer in the tank and also gummed up the needle in the aerocarb.

This does bring up an interesting point though. How do you verify the finger strainer in the tank isn't clogged. I don't think you can see it through the fuel fill hole.

Keith
#554

I saw a remote video camera at Costco for $99. Has a 3 ft probe with a tiny camera on the end. Displays on an LCD screen. I think I might just have to get this. It would be great to do these types of inspections.
Couldn't find the link to Costco, but here's a Harbor Fright one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-in ... 67979.html

What have you builders used as a thread sealer on your fuel fittings? I've searched the archives and came up empty. Is Teflon tape not to be used? Thanks for the replies.

David

I believe the plans call for teflon paste, NOT the tape! That's what I've used and it's always worked fine.

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I use fuel lube on all fuel system fittings. (Works great as a gasket sealant too.) Aircraft Spruce carries fuel lube. Give it a try!


Joe
"Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat"

Loctite 567. I heard that some RV guys use this as well. Seems to seal nicely. I just finished installing my tank and did a leak test beforehand, no leaks.
The instructions say this stuff attacks some plastics so to make sure I wouldn't ruine the plastic fuel tank if it accedentally came in contact with the Loctite 567, I tested it first on the scrap piece of fuel tank I cut off the filler neck (as per the instructions), and left it overnight, no problems.

I recommend the teflon paste. I used fuel lube on the fuel system fittings based on some internet posts from long ago and it works fine however it is sticky and hard to clean up and did not work on the oil fittings (... I guess that's why it's called fuel lube not oil lube...) The factory recommended teflon paste works on the oil fittings and I'm sure it works great on fuel fittings. As a bonus it works on water fittings around the house.

Yet another option is Permatex Aviation Form-A-Gasket No. 3 which is (ironically) sold in local automotive stores like Autozone, and in spite of the "gasket" name, is also intended for NPT thread sealing. From the label: "Sealant approved for use in aviation as well as automotive applications. For use on screw-thread connections. Pressure-resistant and leakproof to high octane gasoline, hot and cold water, antifreeze, kerosene, and other fluids."

Costs about 6 bucks for a large-ish bottle that should last forever.

I haven't put the final sealant on any fuel thread connections yet, so I can't comment on its effectiveness, but I was planning on using either this, or possibly the Loctite 567 which has worked for me in other applications.