Wet Wing Reseal

[bnt83]

My original bladders lasted 31 and 36 years respectively. I'm on 19 and 14 years on my current ones with no issues... I have no fear of bladders and am glad I have them.

That is pretty good. The sealant in my 177 wet wings is somewhere between 52 ad 53 years old, guaranteed it doesn't leak. It has mogas in it and that stuff smells so bad you know almost immediately if something is leaking.

I dread the day they start leaking because access into the fuel tank sucks. I may need some approvals to add some access panels... Almost every jet built today has an access panel between every rib in the wing, this 177 was built with one lone panel in the middle of three bays.

I think service life of fuel tanks is probably most affected by environment, the 177 rarely sits outside in the sun. I can't imagine bladders would last 30 years tied down in Arizona.

 

[Bill]

According to the log books, our Mooney has never been re-sealed. It did develop a small leak in the right wing about six years ago, and my partner and I were debating flying it to one of the wet wing specialists to have that side re-done. Our mechanic at the time (best guy we've ever had, he's moved on to servicing helos ) said no need, he could fix it. And that he did. Drained the wing, let it dry out, found the offending sealant, scrapped it out, applied new. It's been fine since then.

 

[Timbeck2]

It is Latin for "in the place". It basically means doing something right where it is. In this case the bladders are restored right on the aircraft instead of being removed and sent somewhere.

You completely missed my point.