---------------------------------------------------------- Allegro-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 01/15/08: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:11 AM - Re: Fine Fuel Filter (Thom Riddle) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:11:01 AM PST US Subject: Allegro-List: Re: Fine Fuel Filter From: "Thom Riddle" 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 -------------------- 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 Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=158269#158269 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message allegro-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Allegro-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/allegro-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/allegro-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.