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1. 06:11 AM - Re: Fine Fuel Filter (Thom Riddle)
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| Subject: | Re: Fine Fuel Filter |
Hugh,
The nylon/plastic mesh filter in the little plastic bowl just downstream of the
tank is Fantasy Air's idea of a gascolator. In the US it is customary and common
practice for the gascolator to have a quick drain in the bottom of the bowl
which is drained before each flight to eliminate sediment and water. Fantasy
Air's gascolator does not have a drain valve. On most type certificated aircraft
in the US, the gascolator is located on the engine side of the firewall. Also,
it is a real PITA to clean because there is no shut-off valve between it
and the tank. Therefore, to clean it you must drain the fuel tank then disassemble
the gascolator. The good news is that you never need to replace the mesh
filter element unless it gets perforated. If you are careful with it, it should
last pretty much forever. I've complained about this deficiency and hope that
they have corrected this on the newer 2007 models.
Because of the difficulty, we clean it only during annual inspection or when we
need to drain the tank for other reasons. I got permission from Fantasy Air to
replace this gascolator with one with a drain valve, even if it is not a PMA's
part. This permission is required on an SLSA but not on an ELSA or Exp A/B
certificated airplane. I found a good quality relatively inexpensive gascolator
with drain valve at Great Plains Aircraft. Unfortunately it won't fit in the
space available so we've not yet installed it. We're still thinking about how/where
to locate it. The next best solution is to install a shut-off valve between
the tank and gascolator to preclude the need to drain the tank, but it is
still a bit difficult to remove the bowl and and re-install it after cleaning.
--------
Thom Riddle
N221FA Allegro 2000 912UL
N197BG FS1/447
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Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who has said it, not even if I
have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
- Buddha
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http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=158269#158269
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