I do not comment often but listen a lot.
On this subject of fuel filters will say that in my 32 years of flying I
have never seen a filter on a GA certified aircraft. That does not include
any of the newer fuel injected ones. I have had a paper filter for a short
time on my model II. While running premix and some ethanol in the fuel I was
forced to land off field. Once that paper gets oil soaked water will not
pass properly. Took the filter out and no problem.
Dwight Purdy
Model II
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lynn Matteson" <lynnmatt@jps.net>
To: <kitfox-list@matronics.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Fuel Flow Problems, Again! (Vixen, Series-5)
>
> 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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