Fuel Tank Pinhole Repair

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher

Post Reply
User avatar
gfeher
Posts: 577
Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:19 pm

Fuel Tank Pinhole Repair

Post by gfeher »

A friend of mine has a mid-60’s C-172 that has 2-3 very small pinholes in the bottom of his left wing fuel tanks that weep fuel. (The tank’s been removed to find the leaks.) Otherwise the tank appears to be in decent shape. Anyone recommend a shop that can check and repair the tank? He’s in upstate NY if that matters, but is willing to ship the tank outside the area.
Gene Feher
Argyle (1C3), NY
'52 170B N2315D s/n 20467 C-145-2
Experimental J3 Cub Copy N7GW O-200
User avatar
DaveF
Posts: 1540
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:44 am

Re: Fuel Tank Pinhole Repair

Post by DaveF »

You could call Hartwig. https://www.hartwigfuelcell.com/repairmetal.php.

But if it's just a hole and not internal corrosion, then all your friend needs is a good aluminum welder. That's how my mechanic had my tank repaired. He didn't do it, he just sent it to a local machine shop.
User avatar
GAHorn
Posts: 21199
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm

Re: Fuel Tank Pinhole Repair

Post by GAHorn »

Yep, find a good TIG or MIG aluminum welder. Do not pressurize the tank ..and make certain the tank is vented while being welded… The heat will expand the air inside the tank and damage it otherwise.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
User avatar
gfeher
Posts: 577
Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:19 pm

Re: Fuel Tank Pinhole Repair

Post by gfeher »

Thanks Dave and George. Just the information we were looking for.
Gene Feher
Argyle (1C3), NY
'52 170B N2315D s/n 20467 C-145-2
Experimental J3 Cub Copy N7GW O-200
Post Reply
Cessna® is a registered trademark of Textron Aviation, Inc. The International Cessna® 170 Association is an independent owners/operators association dedicated to C170 aircraft and early O-300-powered C172s. We are not affiliated with Cessna® or Textron Aviation, Inc. in any way.