Stratus vent tube leaking.

[furyevo]

Has anybody else had an issue with the vent fitting on the new style Stratus fuel tank? I am using the YS engine, and it always seems to leak. The cap and main feed are sealing, but I can't seem to get the vent fitting to quit leaking, no matter how much sealer I use. Any tips?

[WayneBrown]

clean the tank with acetone, use a q-tip if you can reach the inside.
I used the red RTV inside and out, and once dried, I smeared a little around the outside of the fitting and wiped off the excess..
So far so good.

[DavidH]

I didn't use any sealant on the fittings or the cap. Tank will hold pressure.

I check all tanks I assemble in water before I install them in the heli. Build the tank. Them take a piece of fuel tubing about 12 inches long, put it on one of the fittings from the tank. Now place a finger over the opening of the other fitting. Submerge the tank in water completely. Now blow into the fuel tubing as hard as you can. If you see any bubbles from the tank it is leaking.

Just a simple test that takes a few minutes and prevents frustration later after the tank is in the model.

David

[furyevo]

I didn't use any sealant on the fittings or the cap. Tank will hold pressure.

Are you running a YS? Because I am, and it almost blew the cap off wothout sealer. I went and did the procedure with the funnel and sandpaper, and still had to seal it. I never had to seal my old tanks, you know.
I'm not raggin' on ya, David, your advice has been quite useful in getting my Stratus in the air finally, but the new stlye fuel tank is not suited for a pressurized system. Moreover, the YS engine never fit quite right, no matter what combo of shims and plates I have used. Meanwhile, a friend of mine is running the OS SZ-H with a cline regulator (or is it kline), it dropped right in, no leaking or shaking.

Something has to be wrong with this engine. I know MA makes a quality machine. I have been having a rough time getting this engine to fit in, and I wonder if I have too much pressure coming out of it. Enough of this, time for an OS engine.

[DavidH]

I am using OS Cspecs with OMI Cline and modded carb. This system puts as much pressure if not more than the YS system does in the tank. I did not modify the cap of the tank. Like I mentioned above. I assembled the tank and then pressure tested it under water.

As for pressure in the tank, the engine is pressurizing the tank from the back plate.
So I doubt the engine is putting too much pressure in the tank. Even using the OS engine I see the tank expand some as it is being pressurized.

Did you use the YS plates when you built the model?
Don't understand what you mean by the engine would not fit quite right. It is just four bolts in the backplate that holds the engine in the model. Don't know what you would have to shim. What is the gap between the fan driver and the clutch driver?

David

[WayneBrown]

I'm running modded YS 91's on mine, and have had ZERO issues with installation, alignment or pressure running either tank.
If you'd care to have me look it over and set it up for you, send it to me through RHR and I'll wrench it for ya.
FWIW: My modded YS 91's will pull right with the OMI modded C Specs from what a few others have told me.

[furyevo]

David:
Some of the YS engines seem to not want to line up right. For starters, the carbon plate that goes on the backplate was too thick. Since I had the upgrade kit, I only had the plate for the YS 91. I called Tim at MA, and he said he knew what the problem was, that some of these YS 91s were shipped with a 80 backplate, and he sent me the right adapter. However, this was not the end of my problems. Next, I had issues with the left to right clearance. Meaning, I had .025 on the left side and .035 on the right side. I don't know if that was acceptable, but I shimmed it side to side, and now the whole thing sits at .030 at every point along the fan.
Wayne:
Not all of the YS engines are like this. However, I have seen more than one person (mostly over at RR) having this issue. All I can say is my YS doesn't fit right, but the OS SZ-H Hyper I stuck in last night fits like a glove, no shims. I only wish it was mine to keep, a friend let me use it. I know I built my model straight, it flys like a dream. Also, this YS vibrates bad, but that could be me still running it a bit rich.

[DavidH]

I will agree the machining on the YS helis is not exactly the greatest. I have had a few YS's over the years that looked like someone used a dremel tool to make them. They always ran great, just the looks of them was rough.
As for the right left shimming. I would think that would be caused by the back plate being thicker on one side than the other.
On the Stratus, I suggest for pilots to run the motor about half a tank of fuel and then recheck everything. This allows the fan and clutch driver to run in and be where they are going to run. Then check for them being square with a feeler gauge at each 90 deg point with out turning them.

David