Help..fuel leak!
 

I went out today, took an old trainer out, thought i was careful enough and checked everything over....twice, EXCEPT..the fuel tank. Well, the gasket or rubber must of been corroded enough to let some of the fuel leak out, covering the bottom of the plane. Right now I have some paper towels packed in the fuse to soak up as much as i can. Isnt there something, like powder, to soak up the fuel and oil in a safe manner? I am in desperite need of some help on this since the longer it sits, the more damage it might do!

Thanks in advance,

Len

RE: Help..fuel leak!
 

Find some K2R Spot Remover. Try Wal-Mart. Spray a heavy coat on and let it dry. Brush and vacuum off. Repeat until the K2R dries to a dry white powder all over the surface. Then I'd impregnate the bare wood with thin CA, just for good measure.

Dr.1

RE: Help..fuel leak!
 

I've used kitty litter to soak upa fuel spill in plane

RE: Help..fuel leak!
 

This is one reason to coat the fuel tank area with thinned epoxy or similar to prevent fuel soaking. Isn't always enough but it sure helps.

RE: Help..fuel leak!
 

You can also use corn starch. As with K2R, it is going to take several applications to get the fuel/oil out. Once it is out, coat the compartment with an epoxy solution. (I use epozy resin thinned 10% by volume. It will take several days to dry, but it will soak into the wood much better than unthinned epoxy. )

RE: Help..fuel leak!
 

Baby powder will also dry out the fuel, but probably much slower than the aforementioned practices. Once dried out, use the epoxy method. You can even mix up some 30 min, thin it with some isopropanol, and brush it on. I wouldn't use CA. It will just make your wood brittle.

RE: Help..fuel leak!
 

Thanks guys...unfortunatly, this was a plane I didnt build, sort of inherited it. The other 2 planes i built, I used a thinned out epoxy mix on the firewall and fuel area. Thanks for reminding me of the cornstarch, drew a complete blank on what powder to use. I've got a good amount in there now, and I'll keep reapplying and removing, should be good to go by saturday. Learned a valuable lesson...if your going to fly an old plane that has been sitting awhile, check the fuel tank!!!! :eek:

Len

RE: Help..fuel leak!
 

And if you don't know if the tank area has been treated, go ahead and do it again as best you can.

RE: Help..fuel leak!
 

KNIGHTMAGIC has the answer !! That CAT LITTER really works !! Just fill up the cavity and let set for 48 hours and it'll be dry as a bone !! I get my 5 lb. bag at the "Dollar Store".

Ugo

RE: Help..fuel leak!
 

Non-clumping?

RE: Help..fuel leak!
 

LOL ! Good One !! None Clumping of course !! And I prefer CHEAP !!

Ugo