Sonex fuel tank revision

[SonexEZ]

I did post on here before what i did but i dont se it here , I tried several things and nothing gworked still had seep
so i did th ethred locker as per sonex then i hOT glued around the head of the bolt , its been 3 days not a seep or a drop yet

[SonexEZ]

Regarding hot glue I might be concerned of either the fuel dissolving it, or small pieces of it breaking loose and entering the fuel system?

its on the outside of the tank if the fuel gets to it then i have some serious problems

[aferddaberts]

For as long as I have been getting daily "The Sonex Forum" I have almost on a daily basis read where the fuel tank leaking is a big problem. I have not heard anyone mention using "Super Glue" I, at one time, owned a Classic (It was 30 years old) Cadillac. The windshield washer fluid tank had a crack in it and wouldn't hold fluid in for longer than a day or two. New replacement tanks were not available and junkyard tanks I found all had cracks too. I tried several things to seal that crack, 5 minute epoxy, 15 minute epoxy even Plumbers Putty. None of it stuck to that plastic tank. Until I thought of trying super glue. I ran it along the crack and when it hardened, I also dripped the glue down through the filler opening onto that crack. It never leaked again. I don't think that tank was made out of the same plastic material that our fuel tanks are made from, but it might be worth a try. Super glue also comes in a gel form so you can work with it underneath.

AL Roberts W0209

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all,
I've posted a few times on this subject, and a few others have too about using a product on the sonex fuel tanks that has worked. Locktite sells a plastic repair kit that I've seen at Lowes, Home Depot, true value, ace etc. it is a lot like super glue gel and has an activator stick to use first . It is for use on poly -P (propolyne) and poly-E (ethylene) (sonex tanks). Be very careful what glue u try to use on the tanks. This glue (locktite brand)is specifically for this type of plastic.

WaiexN143NM
Michael Radtke

[SonexEZ]

I installed a VDO RPM gauge but have had trouble calibrating it. So I installed a TonyTach and it has been a great solution.


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

Rob what is a tony tach ?

[Sonex1517]

It's an autocorrect error.

It is a "Tiny Tach" and it has a wire that is wrapped around a spark plug lead to detect when it fires.

Seems to work great. I still cannot get me VDO to calibrate.


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

[SonexEZ]

It's an autocorrect error.

It is a "Tiny Tach" and it has a wire that is wrapped around a spark plug lead to detect when it fires.

Seems to work great. I still cannot get me VDO to calibrate.
Rob where di d you get it i want one ?

Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

[Sonex1517]

Aircraft Spruce carries them. It was fairly easy to install, but I had to get creative running the wire to the plug lead.

And I see my post suffered more auto correct "features." Sigh....


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

[SonexEZ]

Not thrilled with the ooops fittings either.
There is no locking feature and it would seem they could come loose pretty easy.
I'm not sure why Sonex chose this fitting, it looks pretty cheap. I would think something better could be found.
In my opinion, for fuel system components, quality should be the #1 factor not price.
I used a very generous application of Locktite on the threads, hoping that this will keep things from coming apart.
Hot glue sounds like an interesting fix. Or maybe PR 1422 as others have used.
You wouldn't want these fittings coming loose while you are flying around, that's for sure!

I never had a leak just a weep but who wants that in the cockpit , I tried several different things i sanded it all around the fitting then cleaned real good with alcohal, as soon as it dried i hit it with the hot glue gun , I am sure FAA woundnt approve of it but dam sonex isent helping and i am sick of the dam small,

[SonexEZ]

Aircraft Spruce carries them. It was fairly easy to install, but I had to get creative running the wire to the plug lead.

And I see my post suffered more auto correct "features." Sigh....


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

I am so sure it bothers you LOL