Found Fuel Leak, (Cont from Radio Working Poorly Thread)

[Cowboys Air Ranch 84ME]

Howdy,

Thought I would just start a new thread as my "Radio Working Poorly" took a turn to a fuel leak problem.

I did remove the fuel tank from the wing. It is a 1972 Citabria 7ECA, originally had 13 gal tanks and had larger 18 gal tanks installed during wing recover in 2001. The tanks are from a 68 KCAB, so that is the reason for the double rivet points on top of the tank. Good thing, is it has updated tank straps so easy to remove from the top without cutting out the bottom fabric as well.

The leak was from between the straps, on the bottom, where there is no support. We figure it was "Oil Canning" and "Fatigue" which made it crack. Really started pouring fuel out when in the sun or got shook up and built a little pressure.

Since these pictures, I have steam cleaned the tank several times, and blown warm air thru it getting it ready for welding. Will weld the crack then weld a patch over the weld area as well as suggested.

Hope to get the tank welded in the next few days and reinstall. Will post newer pics as soon as I get a minute to take some.

Ken "COWBOY" Winiarski
Cowboys Air Ranch (84ME)

 

[Cowboys Air Ranch 84ME]

Howdy Again,

This is what I ment by the "Double Rivet Points" on top. The tank must of came from a salvage yard as it is clearly marked in ink year, and model and "N" number of aircraft it came from. I seen some Citabria's with single row or rivets, and some with no rivets at all.

The second pic details the staining from the fuel. I will try to clean it somewhat with some new fuel, on a rag or tooth brush. I am lucky it did not bleed thru the fabric to the underside. Looks like the leak was there a while, but did not leak much while sitting, only when a little pressure was present like in flight or sitting in the sun.

Ken "Cowboy" Winiarski
Cowboys Air Ranch (84ME)

 

[JasonE]

Any chance you have more pictures? We are just about to do this with a 7KCAB.

 

[Cowboys Air Ranch 84ME]

Any chance you have more pictures? We are just about to do this with a 7KCAB.

Howdy,

Send your Email, and i will send you what I have for pics. Some may be helpful. [email protected]

Ken "COWBOY" Winiarski
Cowboys Air Ranch (84ME)

 

[Bartman]

Cowboy!

post the pics here where they will help people over and over and over again!

thanks
Bart