All,
Particles of polyethylene, ripped from its parent material during the hole
boring, gathers a static charge. This charge guarantees good adhesion of
the swarf to the inside of the tank, even with all the precautions.
There is no substitute for installing an access hole to the tank, and
getting in there with a vacuum cleaner, then a rag moistened with petrol.
In service the access hole is used for clearing out dead rabbits, piles of
leaves and old bicycles from the inside of the tank. I don't know how they
get in there but they do.
To my mind, the idea of leaving all the swarf in the tank is monstrous.
Dave Simpson
-----Original Message-----
From: Fergus Kyle <fkyle@bigwave.ca>
Date: 11 June 2000 22:57
Subject: That fuel tank....
>Cheers:
> That fuel tank has given me another start.... Actually, while waiting
>for a capacitance probe, I dismounted the tank and, having produced two
>2-3/8inch holes in the top, decided to peruse the innards using a high
>intensity lamp (the 'worm' kind you can twist about)and my reading
>glasses.
> What to my wondering eyes should appear, just about all but eight tiny
>reindeer. I have handled the tank fairly carefully - always drilled
>inverted, always capped every opening, swished with water and drained
>then wafted with filtered air.....etc etc.
> No complaint of the manufacturer or distributor (the holes were mine)
>but the inside wall;s, bottom AND top were covered in a welter of tiny
>specks, some black, some white. 'No big ting' - a Jamaican saying - in a
>Wright Whirlwing carb, but pretty worrisome in those little needle jets
>and certainly a filler for inline filters...... O'm glad we must put in
>gascolators here.
> For those about to install the tank, may I suggest a cursory scan of
>the insides, using some form of bright light and a reduced flexible
>vacuum wand that will reach into all the corners. I hope you aren't
>surprised........
>Happy Landings,
>Ferg #A064 (319)
>
>
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