SonexBuilders.net

I am interested in filling the firewall rivets to prevent engine gasses from entering the cockpit. Does anyone have an idea on what to use for this purpose?

This stuff is very good for the purpose. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... 0caulk.php

Is a little dot of red rtv acceptable?

You might get some tips here.

https://www.eaa.org/Videos/Hints-for-Homebuilders/Firewall-Forward/2664972455001

Wes

That is a good video. I am thinking of using JB weld on the rivet holes for a more permanent seal. I am thinking that I could still drill out the rivet if I had to.

hi all,

yes the eaa video shows using Dap alex ultra 230 caulk. i used white on bottom rivets on plane,
clear on firewall. bought a co detector online from walmart $30.

fly safe,

michael

I also bought one of those small CO detectors at Walmart. I am hoping to use a co detector connected to my onboard computer eventually but have the portable unit if I don't get er done in time to fly. I know someone who was killed by CO in the cabin of an airplane, so nothing to play around with in a small cockpit. Thanks for the reply.

hi all,
yes good to have a co detector. the cheapest one from acs was about $150. many deaths attributed to co fumes. leaky or cracked exhaust . The most high profile one lately was soccer star sala. Remember the PA-46 Malibu that crashed into the english channel at nite about 6 mo ago? Forget that the pilot was not ifr rated , but was flying at nite ifr over the english channel on a stormy nite. Sala’ s body recovered inside the plane. lethal,levels of CO. the pilots body was outside of the cabin somewhere, will never be found. Surmised that CO killed the pilot and the plane crashed.
be safe......

WaiexN143NM
Michael

inventor wrote:I also bought one of those small CO detectors at Walmart. I am hoping to use a co detector connected to my onboard computer eventually but have the portable unit if I don't get er done in time to fly. I know someone who was killed by CO in the cabin of an airplane, so nothing to play around with in a small cockpit. Thanks for the reply.

On our return from Airventure, we had a CO situation that I'm really glad Gary had an active CO monitoring system. Our exhaust pipe had separated from the muffler. We mistakenly thought it wouldn't be an issue. But 10 Minutes into the next leg showed we were approaching dangerous levels. We returned to the last stop and fixed the muffler issue. Those CO cards with that blister tablet that turns black can tell you may be dying are fine, but they don't tell you the level. By the end of our return, I was actually feeling some effects of it, headache, etc, 10 minutes in. The SuperBee will have a similar system Gary had. Mobile, tells you the CO level, and around $150 from Amazon. Used by HVAC guys. Sealing rivets is fine. But the real issue is the vacuum of the cockpit from the outside. It literally sucks in all the air coming out of the cowl. The 10 minutes we had the issue, I held the CO monitor in various positions in the cockpit and adjusted various vents. Near the feet, much higher, near our faces, lower. The more we closed the cockpit, the higher the CO. Flip the vents to blast air in, the CO would drop. But not enough.

Found primary point for CO gases to enter my Sonex TD, was the small holes in the very end of the tail, one on underside for access to bolt holding the titanium, spring rod in place, and one in the vertical surface of tail spar. Have a Guardian CO detector, and when those holes where plugged, levels stayed very low.

David A.