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Date:  2-8-2006
Number of Hours:  2.50
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Left fuel tank passes pressure test

A great day in the shop! I rigged up the manometer (scientific name for colored water in a tube) on the fuel tank vent and then poured in water tinted with green food dye (the only color we had). I searched around for a bicycle pump to pressurize the tank because I was affraid the compressor would blow way too much pressure in there. Well, I could not find a bicycle pump to save my soul. I could not find one in the house, even though I could swear we have one somewhere. I then called Robby, my brother in law, who has several bikes, and he did not have one. I even called Bailey Cox, the kid across the street, and his was broken. Oh well, I set the compressor as low as I could and carefully pressurized the tank with the special fitting in the tank drain. It worked great! The tank pressurized to raise the water level in the manometer about 12" which should be just about right. In the first 15 minutes the water level dropped about 1/2" and I thought I had a leak. I swabbed every joint and rivet with soapy water and could not find any bubbles. I checked the manometer again and it held steady. In fact, it even rose about 1/8 of an inch over the next two hours (probably because of a temperature rise in the tank). That was it for me. I declared victory over fuel tank leaks.While waiting for the fuel tank pressure check, I countersunk the tank skin to baffle holes in the right tank. I also drilled, countersunk and deburred the mounting plate for the access panel in the inboard end rib for the right tank. It has been a good night.
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The manometer setup on the left tank

The manometer setup on the left tank

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Goober gets excited over the pressure holding in the tank

Goober gets excited over the pressure holding in the tank

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Began countersinking the right tank skin

Began countersinking the right tank skin

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