<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
         <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
         <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I found that the most easily available and used pressure gage for this
process is an altimeter. One must pressurize (or evacuate)the tank
and then plot press. (altitude)  vs. time over several days, also recording
temperature at each point.  A leak will be displayed as a trend on your
chart. You can pressurize, or evacuate,  your tank by mouth (lung  power)
to about +/- 1000-2000 feet altitude without much difficulty - try it.
One thing about lung power is - you won't hurt your tanks.

Balloons don't work !!! That is a very insensitve way to go.  The fuel
fillers are a prime source of leaks, I had to use silicon grease on
both the outer O-ring and the one on the inner shaft to get a seal for my
tests.
Good luck.

Fred (LIV N1228E) Egli