Found an air leak getting ready for KOI.

[Dennis Toth]

Was going through my El Diablo for KOI (I haven't flown it in about 6 months) and found a air leak as I checked the tank. Just what I needed the night before leaving for McAlpin. This meant pulling out the tank that could be difficult at times without pulling out the engine (which I just tightened up yesterday). Was able to disconnect all the tubing and slip the tank out, then needed to find the leak. Turns out the tank was fine (woo that was good) but the little fish filter that I had used for years was leaking like a sieve. I decided to eliminate the filter and go with straight pink Prather tubing. Got it all back  together in about 35 minutes. Now just need to get a few flights to check the needle, weather looks like stunt heaven for the whole weekend.

Best,    DennisT

[Brett Buck]

Turns out the tank was fine (woo that was good) but the little fish filter that I had used for years was leaking like a sieve. I decided to eliminate the filter and go with straight pink Prather tubing.

  "Fish filter"? Screw-apart or two-part filters are pretty notorious for leaking at the joint, but usually you can use silicone sealant or alternate gaskets to get them leak-free.

    Do what you have to do to get through the flights, but I very strongly recommend getting some sort of filter back in there as soon as you can. You can get them that are no larger than the fuel tubing.

       Brett

p.s. since several people PMed me about it

 http://dubjett.com/accy2015.html

about 2/3 of the way down the page. They are available at various outlets, too.

    Brett

[Ken Culbertson]

Murphy's law, now that the filter is out of the fuel system, junk in the tank will plug the spray bar just as you go inverted 4 feet above the ground as you go up wind. Engine dies, plane hits the ground.  Or not.

The Emperor would be pleased.

[Dennis Toth]

Well, all went well at KOI, flew both rounds got 2nd in OTS. The old Fox 35 ran strong, no tank problems. The El Diablo flew steady, the pilot on the other hand has a lot of room for improvement. Was a great contest, lots of fun and good to see old friends again. Will work on the sealing up a new filter this time with epoxy.

Best,  DennisT

[John Gluth]

Dennis, do you have experience using epoxy in direct contact with raw fuel? What brand and cure time?

[Dennis Toth]

John,
I will be using regular LHS expoy that has held up to raw fuel very well for construction. The filters are from Master Air Screw and normally fit air tight but mine was in use with the silicon encasement for over a year. I think the epoxy will do better. I plan on warming the filter a little then smear on the epoxy and warm as I rotate the filter to let the epoxy thin a bit, then slip on the heat shrink tubing to complete the encasement.

Best,   DennisT