Hit some really nasty turbulence in flight yesterday. After landing, fuel was leaking out of left bladder. Not sure if this is coincidence or not. Maybe the smack downs stressed the half full bladder too much. Anyone have recommendations on a brand of replacement bladder? Any idea of the labor quote I should look for in terms of hours to replace it? It is a 1957 Cessna 182A.
Any info or opinions appreciated.

flightlogic wrote:Hit some really nasty turbulence in flight yesterday. After landing, fuel was leaking out of left bladder. Not sure if this is coincidence or not. Maybe the smack downs stressed the half full bladder too much. Anyone have recommendations on a brand of replacement bladder? Any idea of the labor quote I should look for in terms of hours to replace it? It is a 1957 Cessna 182A.
Any info or opinions appreciated.

Try this http://www.aerotechservicesinc.com/ I use there units for all my tank R&R's.

182 STOL driver wrote:

flightlogic wrote:Hit some really nasty turbulence in flight yesterday. After landing, fuel was leaking out of left bladder. Not sure if this is coincidence or not. Maybe the smack downs stressed the half full bladder too much. Anyone have recommendations on a brand of replacement bladder? Any idea of the labor quote I should look for in terms of hours to replace it? It is a 1957 Cessna 182A.
Any info or opinions appreciated.

Try this http://www.aerotechservicesinc.com/ I use there units for all my tank R&R's.

I second Bills recommendation.

182 STOL driver wrote:

flightlogic wrote:Hit some really nasty turbulence in flight yesterday. After landing, fuel was leaking out of left bladder. Not sure if this is coincidence or not. Maybe the smack downs stressed the half full bladder too much. Anyone have recommendations on a brand of replacement bladder? Any idea of the labor quote I should look for in terms of hours to replace it? It is a 1957 Cessna 182A.
Any info or opinions appreciated.

Try this http://www.aerotechservicesinc.com/ I use there units for all my tank R&R's.

As to how many hours to do -If first time expect Hour to remove and about 6-8 hours to put back in. After doing several (I've done 15-20 myself) I can do a bladder in R&R in about 4(four) hours each side. Cost for Rebuilt bladder is about $750.00(parts) a side . If one side is leaking It going to cost and time effective to do both sides same time. I know it's more time and money but it's better . Also consider Older tanks are heavier (thicker ) than newer -if older heavy I'd have them repaired .There's a manufacturing date on tank . Cessna Pilots association has a Tech note that address this issue.DO NOT USE CORDLESS DRILL /DRIVER anywhere near TANK or OPENING. Air Tools OK but No Electric !!!

I also agree with Bill Reid. AeroTech has been an excellent company to deal with. Last spring I ordered a L bladder for my 56 182. Upon arrival I noticed a small questionable blemish on the side of the bladder. I sent them a digital photo of my concern. With out any question they immediately sent me a new bladder and a call tag to pick up the 1st one. I've had great customer service from AeroTech!
The older bladders are beefier than the new ones. Ship them yours and see if it can be rebuilt. If it cannot be rebuilt order the heavy duty bladder. Of course its more expensive but its thicker, like your original. Its an uncomfortable feeling for me to install a bladder that is thinner than the original. My .02 worth.
AeroTech has my recommendation.
Sam

Bill, you interested in getting paid to do mine????
Just wondering.

here is a post from the CPA forum, maybe it will help you identify if it is the bladder or possibly a fitting or adaptor plate, something easier. Eagle and FFC had some issues with bladders leaking that were installed in the early 2000's, but apparently they have those issues resolved. If you have bladders that are not that old and were installed in your rig during that period from one of those two vendors, maybe you can get some credit or allowance on the price of a new one if you need to replace the bladders because they are very aware of the problem during that time and have given some guys special deals due to this. there are lots of other posts on there regarding leaking bladders on the 182 forum, if you are a member you can search and read them all, if you are interested.

Bill Reid is a good guy, he knows 182's, and sounds like he has a good price for you too if you need to do the bladder deal.

hope this helps

Bob



I have a very small leak (not static, but in flight). I see some green traces near the drain after a flight. When I take it off in the hangar, there is no more leaks before I fly again.

This problem is not constant. It happens when the tank is quite full (3/4 of the capacity)

This area of the plane is very .. dark. The drain is not leaking but my mecahnic told me that the tank could be old and let some fuel goes through the rubber at the junction of the fuel lines.

I am not convinced and the tank should be removed to get a good idea.

As I was thinking to that possibility, I did not find a Rubber tank supplier part of Cessna (I presume it costs an arm and may be a leg). May be with your advices ?

Jean

Post Extras:
Jerry Roussos
1978 Cessna R182


Reged: 12/27/01
Posts: 10970
Loc: Sunny South Florida
Re: Fuel tank bladder supplier ? [Re: Jean Gaultier]
#796524 - 02/14/10 06:07 AM
Reply Quote

Could be a leak at the top of the tank where the adaptor plate seals to the tank. Also could be a leak at one of the tank upper nipples.

Green GOO is caused by fuel leaking either from the bladder or a hose and dissolving the adhesive that the fuel bay is taped with to prevent the rubber bladder from chafing the rivets. Green sticky GOO is the adhesive.

If you tanks are over 20 years old it may be time to replace.

Ballpark figure in the US is each bladder side runs about $1,000USD and 12 hours labor to replace

Popular manufacture are FFC and Eagle

Eagle has a kit to replace the drain valves that is excellent and worthwhile if you are replacing the bladders.

Jerry

Post Extras:
John M. Efinger
1967 Cessna 172


Reged: 05/22/02
Posts: 6809
Loc: Ft. Worth, TX
Re: Fuel tank bladder supplier ? [Re: Jean Gaultier]
#796533 - 02/14/10 07:06 AM
Reply Quote

Since it is when full that you mostly see this then you need to check the torque at the upper adapter plates. In the cold months these screws seem to loosen their torque and I am seeing it quite frequently this winter. Just a 1/2-3/4 turn or so on each screw seems to be fixing this problem. Unfortunately for one new 180 Owner a few weeks ago it was too late when I heard this as he already ordered and installed one of his tanks so figured he will do the other one as well now since he already purchased them. His "old" tanks were less than 10 yrs old.... I found a full turn on the upper attach screws on the remaining tank.

I would be sure to check all the hardware, clamps & fuel sender hardware before going further.

--------------------
IA/AP, "67" 172H, 182Q E-Ponk


Post Extras:
Mal Hill
1977 Cessna R182


Reged: 02/16/07
Posts: 4
Re: Fuel tank bladder supplier ? [Re: Jean Gaultier]
#796535 - 02/14/10 07:27 AM
Reply Quote

I just ordered one through my mechanic for $886 USD for our R182 from FFC. it was cheaper through a distributor and came from the Memphis TN plant. the bladder is original and 32 years old, so I did not spend any time checking hardware.

Post Extras:
Jean Gaultier
1965 Cessna 210E


Reged: 04/20/06
Posts: 397
Loc: Normandie - France
Re: Fuel tank bladder supplier ? [Re: Jerry Roussos]
#796587 - 02/14/10 12:17 PM
Reply Quote

Thanks for your very useful information regarding the green sticky color and the suppliers popular names.

I will Torque the screw (it does not cost a fortune).
I thought if the leak was visible at the drain only (not in the middle of the wing) that the problem was just in this area.

Apparently, leak at the plate could be just visible at the drain area ..

I don't know the age of the tank ...

Jean

Post Extras:
Larry J. Greenhalgh
1978 Cessna 182Q


Reged: 01/05/10
Posts: 133
Loc: Park City, Utah
Re: Fuel tank bladder supplier ? [Re: Jean Gaultier]
#796735 - 02/15/10 09:36 AM
Reply Quote

Mine was doing the same thing. It turned out to be the sender screws backed out. The fuel was coming from the top half of the sender, and running back to the drain area. The screws are a little hard to get to but with a 90 degree phillips we were able to tighten them. No more problem. It has been 3 years.

Larry

Post Extras:
Jean Gaultier
1965 Cessna 210E


Reged: 04/20/06
Posts: 397
Loc: Normandie - France
Re: Fuel tank bladder supplier ? [Re: John M. Efinger]
#797635 - 02/18/10 02:35 PM
Reply Quote

Torque check, no change.
I will try the sender. How to reach this part ?

Jean

Post Extras:
Larry J. Greenhalgh
1978 Cessna 182Q


Reged: 01/05/10
Posts: 133
Loc: Park City, Utah
Re: Fuel tank bladder supplier ? [Re: Jean Gaultier]
#797956 - 02/19/10 12:44 PM
Reply Quote

On a 182Q there is an inspection panel between the door opening and the wing held in place by about 6 screws. The panel is about 2 inches wide and the full legenth of the wing. once that is dropped down you can access the sender about mid wing through the very narrow opening. Then you need a phillips screwdriver that is on a 90 degree tool that is about 7 inches long to get to the screws. The one I used was a rachet type.

I am not sure of the configuration of your plane. maybe someone else here knows your's better than me...

Good Luck

Larry

Post Extras:
Pages: 1

I've had good luck with Eagle. .02

flightlogic wrote:Bill, you interested in getting paid to do mine????
Just wondering.

Could be

What's the reasoning for making the bladders thinner? Better material and manufacturing process these days?

I had the RH bladder repaired by Eagle Fuel Cells in 2010. The outlet nipple was cracked. The rest of the bladder was in very good condition. Upon inspection Eagle recommed vulcanize on a new outlet nipple and re-install the bladder.



It was manufactured in April 1953. It had been in service for 53 years! After repairs it was re-installed and still going strong.



John Bakken, friend to many and great aviator/mechanic/mentor remembered.



DEGJR

The leak stopped. So now I am baffled. Did the turbulence toss the fuel up high... and find a way to a crack that normally is not leaking? Have seen some seepage when topped clear to the brim in the past. Looking at the photo of that tank from '53 is amazing. I would have expected much more aging on the rubber and discoloration. Too bad the whole thing has to come out to glue on an outlet fitting!!!!
Guess I will fly a bit more and then see. Putting money in the piggy bank for the eventual expenses.... it is an airplane of course.

Most of the leakers I've seen leak from the top front corner close to the wing root and only leak when you top them off and let them sit.