Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Owen Davies"
Real problem was that it began to break up from vibration and the littleparticles would then plug the fuel system, I've been told.----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "Owen Davies"
Got the best of me. See their product on the web. Never used it justremembered what it did.-john-http://www.explosafe.com________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Warren D. Shoun"
John Hofmann observed:> I remember a product marketed in the fashion named Explosafe or something> like that. It generated a lot of interest and seemed to disappear.My understanding is that it's great while it works--reduces the risk ofignition in an accident pretty much to nothing--but eventually it getspackeddown inside the tank and ceases to work. At that point, there is nothingto do but open the tank and replace the old material. Don't know howmuch it costs, but if the above is correct the inconvenience alone isprobablyenough to discourage most people from using it.Owen Davies________________________________________________________________________________Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 13:39:23 -0700

Original Posted By: "John Hofmann"
We use it extensively in race cars, especially the open wheel ones. Checksome of the race car parts houses for it - generally better prices than theaviation houses. try ioportrcing.com, racerpartswholesale.com,simpsonraceproducts.com, e-trs.com for just a few.Craig----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Michael D Cuy

Original Posted By: "Rodger & Betty Childs"
>The owner chose to use auto fuel. The alcohol in> the auto fuel made the sealer gummy and it started to congeal> around the finger screen inside the tank Another Luscombe owner on thefield had similar problems> using auto fuel in his plane and could not develop full power on takeoff.> They had to tear into the entire fuel system.Alcohol in the fuel is a big no-no from my mechanicing days. It will destroythe whole fuel system from the carb on back to the tank, given enough time.There is a guy from North Dakota who flys on straight alcohol. That is greatbecause the fuel system is set up for it. But note if gasoline is introducedinto the system it will destroy that fuel system as well. Nothing wrong withauto fuel, but if you have to drive to find it without alcohol then do so oruse Avgas. In Indiana I could find good fuel at Shell and Amoco veryreliably. Here in Wisconsin I saw a sign at a Beaver Dam Shell stationstating "no alcohol in our gas." Auto Fuel with MTBE as opposed to alcoholwith work too I believer. I am attaching a somewhat humorous story thathappened while I was a General Aviation A&P (not the grocery store - wellpays about the same). I posted this to the Taylorcraft group a week or soago.Another thing on Explosafe and the like: Using something like that will alsolimit the type of gas gauge. It would be nearly impossible to use a floattype gauge.Now for something completely different: A few years back I was working at a small FBO in Central Indiana at thetime. A C-150 from the other side of Indy came to take a friend of his for aride. He did this about once a week and the plane always looked a bitquestionable to me. One of those I swore I'd stay away from. As he was inthe pattern, I could here that only three of four werehitting. Plane landed and taxied to the far end of the ramp. The owner knewhe had a problem and was revving and playing with the mags and mixture. Ifinally walked over and asked if I could be of help. He said he had a fouledplug after he had shut down. I told him he had more than that! I opened thecowl and as plain as day, the #2 piston was poking through a hole in thebottom of the jug. Well even this fine fellow figured he was grounded then.We pulled the plane to my hangar and I started to survey the damage. I keptfinding problem after problem but the leaky carb with the funny smelling gaswas the kicker. I asked what he was using. He said, and I quote, "There isan AD out that says I can use auto gas." I said there was an STC availableand he did not have it. He insisted he could us auto gas. I asked him wherehe got it and he said it was from the Clark station down the street. That10% ethanol blend did a real number on the fuel system. Carb was shot and sowas most everything else. It needed a complete teardown not to mention thenew jug, plus any other internal engine damageI had yet to find. I startedto mention prices for just parts and this guy went ballistic, droppingf-words, calling me a crook etc. I thought I was being pretty reasonableconsidering the shape this plane was in. Someone had recently signed anannual on this plane and I was amazed. I figure it was a local IA who wasnotorious for "Fly By" annuals. I went home that night with the plane tieddown. It was gone the next morning when I came in to work. I just hope hedid not kill anybody in it.Irrelevent story but Mike's made me think of it. Too much hassle for a7.00/hr job. Oh the money to be made in GeneralAviation!Be safe all!-john-________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Gary Gower