Tank removal

Michael, tank must be somewhat heavy and bulky--how did you lift it out?  Looks like a 2 person job.

Michael,

As you may know, the 108-3 has a propensity toward wing spar corrosion in certain places, some of which require fuel tank removal to inspect. I would think that inspecting for that corrosion is important for a 108-3 prebuy, since repairs may not be possible and it clearly impacts airworthiness. I have not (yet) bought a 108, but I would like a -3, especially for its greater range. Are you saying it could take two days to re-install the tank if removed for such an inspection? Ouch! I can imagine owners balking at such a cost. Do you have any thoughts along these lines? Thanks for any insight you can offer.

Dan B.

Amelia Island, Florida

 The tank is not that heavy and with some practice easy to remove from the wing as long as you don't fall off the ladder. I had the tank in and out a couple of times while repairing the wing.

 There is no way I would remove a tank so that the spar could be inspected unless the complete repair was understood. It's not like there would be days of work but it would take days to finish the fabric repair.

@bloemergmail-com You can inspect wing spars completely with a long borescope that you can buy at most hardware or tool stores.  Most guys cringe at the thought of removing the tank unless absolutely necessary - especially those that have spent the tireless hours of laying those fabric tapes and painting that wing...With the exception of a weld repair, all the seals, drains and outlet fitting

can be accessed and replaced without removing the tank.

Jeff

Jeff,

Thanks for that info. It seems unlikely a seller would ever allow tank removal in a prebuy inspection in that case. 

Dan

Posted by: @bloemergmail-com

Jeff,

Thanks for that info. It seems unlikely a seller would ever allow tank removal in a prebuy inspection in that case. 

Dan

True, but as a buyer I would definitely use a cheap borescope and inspect that area. 

https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Waterproof-Inspection-Megapixels-Smartphone/dp/B01MYTHWK4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=borescope+phone&qid=1615911483&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzSEtUNVZRUlZGUTA2JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjM1ODkyMUxJMldNRVJBUENTViZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTUxMTExMUlLU1lPS0NBQkZCTiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Or this one:

amazon.com/dp/B00GY7C9ZW

More expensive, but probably much better quality. The one you listed looks like it has a longer cable however - might need an extension for the Vividia.

 Today was installing a new sending unit and putting the tank back in the wing. The 1/8" NPT drain fitting in the tank is on it's last leg, ( can't do this too many more times.)  Hooked up the fuel hose and let the LH tank cross feed for a leak check. I ran out of pinked edged tape so I didn't finish the tape job. I only work 1/2 day so I can see another 3 days to finish this project. The total project will take a week! If this were being done at the Jet Center, it would cost thousands of $$.