Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Anyone on here ever repaired a minor leak in a fuel cell bladder. It is an ATL bladder that has a minor leak at a bottom seam. This was caused by too much exhaust heat in the corner of the can and it melted a small portion of the bladder coating, which allowed about 1" of the seam to leak. I want to avoid sending it out if I can find a kit to repair it.

I tried a Google and ebay search, but no real luck, other than a kit from Fuel Safe. Has anyone used this kit for a fabric bladder repair?

I would think 3M or Devcon would make a product for this.

Gov

Well no reply's so I did more asking. Talked to my neighbor who rebuilts antique air craft and he had a product called Pro Seal that he gets from a guy who builds and repairs bladders of all kinds.

Cleaned it up, scuffed and applied the coating and it sure looks like it will do the trick. We will find out tomorrow night, but it looks to be the same material as my black ATL bladder.

Gov

Gov,
Thanks for the tip!

Looks like the Pro Seal did the trick on this fuel cell bladder repair. Looks just like the coating/bonding material that this Black ATL bladder was made out of. Ya I know it is not certified by ATL as it did not go back there for an expensive repair, but the circle track class I run in doesn't require cert.

Here is a link to order this product. Sounds like it has a short shelf life.

http://www.vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/cat ... ct=proseal

Gov

Hi, did your repair pass the test of time? I want to do a similar repair and am looking for the best solution. 3M industrial sealant 800 look like a possibility as well.

Cheers

Jon

Sure did, finished season without any issues.

Gov

Just wondering if this repair process has any other fuel bladder compatability such as the bladder in a sprint car tank?
They use methanol fuel which takes a different material.

Fuel safe which is a div of aircraft rubber products now makes a dual fuel bladder as well as their std, meth, bladder for sprint tanks just wondering if any info with respect to compatabilitys between the two manufactures is available.
The meth bladders do develope leaks from time to time and I wonder if this product would work on them.

I used E85 in the one I repaired, maybe call the place and ask them.

Or ck the web site for more detail.

Gov

There was nothing specific regarding the type of bladder but I was going to call them next week and get more details regarding the materials it covers