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Old November 25th 10, 03:28 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Papa3
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Posts: 444
Default Stopping a Tail Tank Drip

On Nov 24, 9:47*pm, jcarlyle wrote:
Martin - keeping the valve open is easy, I just use the lever in the
cockpit. Filling pressure is limited to a 1 meter head, but maybe
filling and dumping repeatedly will clear out anything in there. The
funnel has a fine mesh, so it's hard to see how junk could have gotten
inside the tank.

Bruno, Evan - unlike your tanks, my tank is plastic, so no oxide
worries. Getting it out is a little involved, but the maintenance
manual has clear instructions. That's a last resort, though. Sounds
like you may have no options, though, Bruno.

I'll check the cable tension leading to the valve this weekend. If
it's tight in the closed position, I bet the drip is due to cold
weather.

Meanwhile, anyone have any ideas on how to apply Vaseline to a valve
seat located some distance up an 8 mm tube?

-John


Hi John,

I have the same problem and I believe we have the same exact tail
tank. My temporary solution involves a foam ear plug stuff into the
tail tube. Suprisingly, it stays put, yet the head from the tank is
enough to eject it when the valve is opened. Since I'm always within
the aft CG limit, there's no safety risk if it doesn't drain (except
for cold weather, and I fly dry when it's close to freezing). But,
I'm planning to pull the tank this winter and do a proper inspection
and adjustment/repair as needed.

P3