My experience is that when my center tank leaked, the smell was REAL
strong !  When my wing tanks leaked, the odor was more subtle.  

My fuselage tank was removed and repaired by soldering (I believe).   My
riveted wing tanks were sloshed with alcohol proof (the white kind)
sloshing sealer (about the 4th time I removed them and sloshed them). 
The first time I used old type sloshing sealer which dissolved gradually
and tinted my fuel the dark color of iced tea.  The tinted fuel  burned
fine, although I experienced more stuck valves than most people which led
me to wonder if the impurities in the fuel that I was burning  left
behind much more carbon deposits on the valve stems than clean fuel would
have. 

Due to the dihedral of the wings, the inboard ends of the wing tanks are
low.  Any fuel seeping from old seams will run down from both tanks,
inside the skin of the airplane,  to the low center point of the airplane
which is in the fuselage under the seats and floor in the main spar carry
through area.  Then you can smell the faint odor of fuel.   

Of all things plaguing Ercoupes, leaking fuel tanks is, or must be, the
most common thing.  It is the bane of the Ercoupe.  I still long for the
day when the integrity of my tanks is beyond question.  All it takes to
get new or repaired tanks is large injections of cash!   When I finally
recover my wings, I plan to have my removed wing tanks opened up and
resealed and reriveted and fixed once and for all.  I need some
suggestions from ya'll as to where to send my tanks.  Thanks.

Skipper Barfield
Ercoupe 99398

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