IMaflyer

My Feedback: (1)

This question regards my .60-size CG Ultimate Bipe. I am finding fuel all over the servos, leads and the receiver battery in the fuselage after flying. I don't understand how this is happening. I did notice a 1/8" gap between the lower wing and the fuse, so the fuel is definitely coming in there, but the receiver battery is in the forward compartment under the fuel tank, so how would it be getting there? It seems like the wooden shelf that the fuel tank sits on is pretty wet with fuel too. I didn't think this would ever be a problem since I built a brass exhaust deflector for my muffler.(Magnum 1.20 four-stroke) I really don't relish the idea of having to rebuild this fuselage. What do I do?!?!? [&o]

Jerry Sigur

Most likely a leaking fuel tank or fuel line.
I'd check it.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Ditto

IMaflyer

My Feedback: (1)

How should I clean up the mess? Last flight I used paper towels dampened with rubbing alcohol. Does that sound like the right idea? Since the landing gear block was pretty wet too, I put alcohol on it, then sprinkled cornstarch down, rubbed it in and wiped it off. I read that the cornstarch would help soak up the fuel. I'm not sure it worked though. Any other ideas to get the fuel off of my precious fuselage???

barkin_bob

You can pull a lot of the oils out of the wood by applying heat to wood in question. Use your covering iron or a heat gun,the wood will begin to sweat out the oils, then wipe up with paper towel and continue until no more oil appears. This can take some time but I have found no better way to remove oil from balsa (other than replacing it)

IMaflyer

My Feedback: (1)

Barkin Bob,

Wow, that sounds very do-able. Thanks for the advice. I'll try it tonight as soon as I remove the fuel tank, servos and receiver. I'm going to do a more thorough check of the tank and lines to be sure I don't have a leak.

Sincerely,

DBCherry

My Feedback: (4)

Definitely sounds like a leak in a line or the tank itself.

Another good method for removing oil residue from the wood is to find a product called K2R Spot Remover. CVS use to sell it. It sprays on and turns to a powder, sucks the oil out quite well.

Seal that gap in the wing saddle by spreading a bead of silicone caulk along the saddle. Put a piece of wax paper on the wing and set it into the silicone. Once it dries remove the wing and trim the edges of the caulk.
Dennis-

IMaflyer

My Feedback: (1)

Well, gentlemen, I think I found the culprit. I removed the tank and found that the cap had come loose and was 1/2 way off. The only thing apparently holding it on was the vent line. Well, besides the fact that I had glued a balsa stick behind the tank to keep it in place, so I don't know if there would have been room for the whole cap to come free of the tank. Anyways, after an hour and a 1/2 of sweating the fuel out of the fuselage wood with my iron, I think I'm on the way back to flyability. Man, what a mess! Thanks for your suggestions, guys.

Sincerely,