RV-7 Fuel Tank Leak - Tank is out and we found the leak. Now what? (Photos attached)

[donmtt]

Pretty self-explanatory. The photo with the black marking is where we saw blue dye and bubbles when we pressure tested. It's not obvious in the pic, but he lower seam is also leaking over about 6 inches...

No signs of blue dye anywhere else in the tank.

Also, I didn't build this plane, but I'm pretty sure this isn't original Pro Seal on the outside???

What are my fix options?

Thanks in advance...

 

[pazmanyflyer]

Pretty self-explanatory. The photo with the black marking is where we saw blue dye and bubbles when we pressure tested. It's not obvious in the pic, but he lower seam is also leaking over about 6 inches...

No signs of blue dye anywhere else in the tank.

Also, I didn't build this plane, but I'm pretty sure this isn't original Pro Seal on the outside???

What are my fix options?

Thanks in advance...

Here is a typical tank repair for RV's. Yours may only need 1 or 2 access holes to reach the inside of the tank at the leak area for cleaning/repair/reseal.

Fuel Tank Repair Job

I got a request from another RV-9A owner to see if I could fix his leaking fuel tank. The tank has been weeping fuel for a while. The leaking fuel was along the aft fuel tank baffle, which is a com…

flyingoverthehills.wordpress.com

 

[Scott Hersha]

Fixing a tank leak from the OUTSIDE typically doesn’t work for long. You’ll need to get to the inside, probably from the aft tank baffle as others have recommended. Once you get the tank off, which you’ve already done, it’s not that difficult. Take your time, make sure after you’ve cleaned everything up on the inside, and I mean surgically clean, applying the generous fay-sealed proseal/tank sealant, let it cure fully before testing. Done properly, it will last the rest of your time with that airframe most likely.

 

[donmtt]

Thanks folks. I'll have other questions, but one that shoots to mind now...How do I clean out the tank once I've done all the sealing and installing of the tank patch from Vans? What is the general process for ensuring no drill remnants, metal filings, etc. are in the tank prior to re-installation?