Fuel/Water, Bearing/Rust--More Action

[Bob Pastorello]

On a whim, I just removed the MK tank from my Viper.  Alas, it hasn't seen
any fuel in awhile, tank was empty except for just what can't be drained
through the klunk system.
    So I took it apart, and the first discovery was a tarnished (but not yet
corroded) brass klunk.
    The Second discovery was the unmistakable odor of acetic acid ON the
klunk.  Sniff test of the tank confirmed the same smell.  A VERY small
amount of fuel remains- I'm talking a 1/4 oz or less...and that odor was
unmistakable.  Just like the smell from curing RTV, except not as
pungent/strong.

Theory - if all this chemistry is valid (and I don't have a clue) - the
large amount of air in the empty tank, with whatever moisture is present in
it, does react with the exposed klunk material and the remaining fuel
(methanol/nitro/oil) that was in the back of the tank.
    At least it sure did smell like acetic acid and NOT "nitro"....as far as
I know Ritches' Brew doesn't include acetic acid in it's additives.

Interesting stuff.  So I installed a new, undamaged, shiny plated
klunk....we'll see...

Bob Pastorello, Oklahoma
NSRCA 199, AMA 46373
rcaerobob at cox.net
www.rcaerobats.net


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rcmaster199 at aol.com
  To: discussion at nsrca.org
  Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 1:19 PM
  Subject: Fuel/Water, Bearing/Rust--More Action


  Joe Wagner, similar to Clarence Lee of RCM, has given sage advice over the
years.For what its worth, I unwittingly used aluminum tubing in my Webra
set-up from the start since that's all I had at the time. It's been almost
400 flights so far and the bearings still feel like new. It may be
coincidence since the webra has larger bearings than the OS and Joe could be
mistaken, but it's easy to test the proposed concept.

  I intend to use the information he passed on more completely, and see for
myself. I urge others to do the same covering all engine flavors. I will use
teflon or aluminum tubing everywhere possible , and use a teflon block as
clunk. Can't replace the brass spray bar and nipples without machining
capability, but the other changes should reduce brass contact at least
fourfold.

  Mine will be Webra and Mintors, and since both are AAC constructed, it
automatically eliminates a possible source of catalysis

  we'll see

  Matt K

  Bob Pastorello, Oklahoma
  NSRCA 199, AMA 46373
  rcaerobob at cox.net
  www.rcaerobats.net


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rcmaster199 at aol.com
  To: discussion at nsrca.org
  Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 1:19 PM
  Subject: Fuel/Water, Bearing/Rust--More Action


  Joe Wagner, similar to Clarence Lee of RCM, has given sage advice over the
years.For what its worth, I unwittingly used aluminum tubing in my Webra
set-up from the start since that's all I had at the time. It's been almost
400 flights so far and the bearings still feel like new. It may be
coincidence since the webra has larger bearings than the OS and Joe could be
mistaken, but it's easy to test the proposed concept.

  I intend to use the information he passed on more completely, and see for
myself. I urge others to do the same covering all engine flavors. I will use
teflon or aluminum tubing everywhere possible , and use a teflon block as
clunk. Can't replace the brass spray bar and nipples without machining
capability, but the other changes should reduce brass contact at least
fourfold.

  Mine will be Webra and Mintors, and since both are AAC constructed, it
automatically eliminates a possible source of catalysis

  we'll see

  Matt K

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