The only problem I have....and this is just a shade-tree mechanics
view...is the paper filter. It is said that they will clog if water
gets to them. I can see the benefit of not having a filter in the
line to the header tank, as the header tank DOES work like a
gascolator, and as such will catch (and allow for the sampling of)
any crud that might get there. I put the filters in my down...to the
header...lines because I wanted to see any crud that just got into
those lines from airport A, or airport B, etc., or from my own 300-
gallon tank at home.
Like you said, to each his own, and future or current builders will
be able to choose for themselves what they think is right. And of
course, each DAR will have his/her own views on what they will allow.
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062, 805.4 hrs
Countdown to 1000 hrs--195 to go
Sensenich 62"x46" Wood prop
Electroair direct-fire ignition system
Rotec TBI-40 injection
Status: flying (and learning)
On Nov 1, 2009, at 10:06 AM, Jim_and_Lucy Chuk wrote:
> When I first got my Avid MK IV, I put filters on both sides between
> the wing tanks and the header tank. All was fine for a while
> (about 10-15 hrs) till one evening I took off from my strip and as
> I climbed out and got to 450', the engine started to miss and
> spit. I ended up landing in a neighbors field with no dammage to
> me or the plane. What had happened I found out the next day, was
> the filter on the tank I was using started to plug just a bit and
> so the flow was reduced. The engine never did die, but would not
> run up above about 4000 rpm. Durring the takeoff, it was turning
> up about 6200, and when the small header tank was emptied, things
> got "interesting". I posted this account on the Avid list, and
> Steve Winder, who ran the Avid factory for years said NEVER HAVE
> FILTERS BETWEEN THE WING TANKS AND THE HEADER TANK. He used all
> capitol letters also! He said that it takes very little to stop or
> slow the gravity flow, and ofcourse that is what caused my
> problem. He also said, that the header tank works as a gascolator
> to filter the fuel so the filters between the tanks aren't needed.
> I had a final filter between the header tank and the fuel pump, and
> so to gaurd against that one plugging and putting me in the trees,
> I put in a T in my fuel line and added a second filter alongside
> the first one and then a T back into the fuel line with a small
> valve to stop the flow through that filter. When I'm taking off, I
> open that valve and then close it after I get up to 750' or so. If
> the main filter ever starts to plug while in flight, I will open
> the valve for the second filter and the fuel will be able to flow
> through that one and I will stay out of the trees. So far that has
> worked good for me and I still have potentialy three filters to
> stop any crud getting to the carb. The header tank, the inline
> filter, pluss the backup filter which will only be used if the
> first inline filter plugs. To each his own, but this works for
> me. I have always used the Fram paper filters and they have worked
> good for me.
> Take care, Jim Chuk
>
> > Subject: Re: Fuel Flow Problems, Again! (Vixen,
> Series-5)
> > From: flyboytr@bellsouth.net
> > Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 05:43:45 -0800
> > To: kitfox-list@matronics.com
> >
> <flyboytr@bellsouth.net>
> >
> > Lynn,
> > ...you get to read a lot of email! [Shocked]
> >
> > I really don't want to get rid of my filters either. We are still
> only talking about one filter between a wing tank and the header
> tank. Once the fuel is in the header tank it should then benefit
> from the "suction" of the mechanical pump.
> >
> > My last two hurdles are removing the wing tank outlet fitting to
> check the finger strainers and cutting the root rib on the wing so
> the fuel line doesn't have to have a hump in it before descending
> down towards the header tank. Thanks again for all your
> input...always appreciated!
> >
> > Travis
> >
> >
> > Lynn Matteson wrote:
> > > I've read all your posts, and all of any mail that comes into
> my email box....I don't go to the "site".
> > >
> > > I doubt that the filter element is your problem. I'm keeping
> all of
> > > my filters, no matter how much certain engineers might (for me)
> > > confuse the issue with talk of surface tension, etc., my system
> flows
> > > fuel as long as there's fuel in the system to flow...nudge, nudge,
> > > wink, wink. ; )
> > >
> > >
> > > Lynn Matteson
> > > Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
> > > Jabiru 2200, #2062, 804.3 hrs
> > > Countdown to 1000 hrs--196 to go
> > > Sensenich 62"x46" Wood prop
> > > Electroair direct-fire ignition system
> > > Rotec TBI-40 injection
> > > Status: flying (and learning)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Oct 31, 2009, at 11:58 PM, FlyboyTR wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > :D
> >
> > --------
> > Travis Rayner
> > Mobile, AL
> > Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
> > Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
> > ADI-II Autopilot
> > AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Read this topic online here:
> >
> > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=270420#270420
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> >
> >
>
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