[Rhodes22-list] Sealant Question

[Brad Haslett]

Todd,

This is an owner assist annual with the IA being based in the hangar next
door.  Technically speaking, he could do the inspection, write up the
discrepancies, and I could sign them off as an A&P mechanic (albeit a very
rusty one).I'm taking my sweet time and being very thorough. I was the one
that pointed out the leak to the IA. He thought it was do to being over
serviced and the fact that I've had the plane on jacks with a nose high/tail
low position for days.  I thought that too at first but if that's the case,
the leak would come from the emergency hand crank handle shaft O-ring.  I've
watched this thing for several days and it's definitely coming from the case
halves. By shear co-incidence, I had been corresponding with an owner in the
Seattle area about a used auto-pilot when I stumbled across his 'solution'
in the ABS archives.  He e-mailed me today with his experience with RTV and
it was good.  I'm just wondering if there isn't an even better product out
there.  I'd run this by the Bo-owners list but the responses would be 1 -
just spend a gazillion $$, 2 - not legal or safe (which it is) or 3 - a call
from the Feds because someone thinks its their job and it makes them look
good to tattle-tale on  'fly shit from pepper' interpretations of FAR's. I
came to the defense of a vendor that I felt was being ganged-up on (IMHO),
and simply said that my experience with said vendor was pleasant. A day
later, Ring, Ring, "we're from the FAA and we'd like to ask a few
questions".  They were very nice and I certainly had nothing to hide but who
needs that nonsense? Be happy that people on this list fight like cats and
dogs over nonsense but comes to anyone's rescue when a technical question
comes up. I'm glad to hear RTV has worked for you on elevators.  That's the
kind of feedback I need.

Brad

On Nov 11, 2007 10:14 PM, Todd Tavares <sprocket80 at mail.com> wrote:

> Brad,
>
> Didn't you said your bird was in the middle of an annual?  Did the IA
> write up the leak and if you sealed it yourself, would he sign off on
> it?  I have externally sealed cast gearboxes on elevator machines using
> regular blue RTV from the auto store with great sucess.  Are you sure it
> is leaking at the caase halves and not from the shaft seal?
>
> Todd T.
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: "Brad Haslett"
>  To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list"
>  Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Sealant Question
>  Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:06:08 -0600
>
>
>  JB,
>
>  Whatever I use needs to be removable. The core value of the case is
>  around
>  $1700 so if I essentially "glue" the two halves together, the only
>  choice at
>  rebuild would be to crank up the $$ machine, $4700 plus core. There
>  is also
>  a question of legality. External application of an RTV type product
>  would
>  fall under "acceptable methods". I'm hoping someone on the list has a
>  similar industrial situation and corresponding product. Consumer
>  strength
>  RTV Blue may be the best out there. It won't cost but $7 to find out
>  and no
>  damage will have been done.
>
>  Brad
>
>  On Nov 11, 2007 8:25 PM, Just bent wrote:
>
>  >
>  >
>  > I use this product alot. I'm not sure if it fits your need but it
>  might be
>  > worth more research.
>  >
>  > Jbulfer
>  > "Just bent"
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>
> http://www.neverseezproducts.com/labmetal.htm?gclid=COzjurGf1o8CFRpIYAodZndaGg
>  >
>  >
>  > Brad Haslett-2 wrote:
>  > >
>  > > Dear Wizards of Rhodes,
>  > >
>  > > Here's the deal. The landing gear actuator on the Bo is leaking
>  at the
>  > > case
>  > > halves. This is a simple gearbox about the size of two pie pans
>  bolted
>  > > together and doesn't with internal pressure. The two halves are
>  sealed
>  > > with
>  > > a standard gasket. Removing the gearbox is a major undertaking
>  but not
>  > > impossible. Repairing it in the field (splitting the case) is not
>  > > recommended. Rebuilt ones are on sale for $4700. A company in
>  > California
>  > > will split the case and reseal it for a mere $895. Obviously,
>  there is
>  > a
>  > > strong incentive to find an alternative cure. Adding oil is not
>  that big
>  > > an
>  > > issue but I've spent a whole lot of time cleaning the interior
>  belly of
>  > > the
>  > > beast and don't want to have to do this continually.
>  > >
>  > > My research of the archives of the ABS magazine uncovered a story
>  from
>  > an
>  > > owner in 1996 with the same problem who solved it by cleaning the
>  case
>  > > joint
>  > > thoroughly and coating it with RTV blue without removing the unit
>  and
>  > had
>  > > good results. Here's the question. I haven't been in the market
>  for
>  > > sealants for years - is there a newer and BETTER product out
>  there now
>  > > than
>  > > RTV Blue? Remember, this will go in the outside of a magnesium
>  case and
>  > > will be sealing against basic gear oil (only 5 times as expensive
>  as
>  > gear
>  > > oil because it says airplane on the bottle).
>  > >
>  > > Brad
>  > > __________________________________________________
>  > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>  > >
>  > >
>  >
>  > --
>  > View this message in context:
>  > http://www.nabble.com/Sealant-Question-tf4787819.html#a13698803
>  > Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>  >
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