To reduce the amount of swarf that enters the tank it might be possible to
do the following. Start the hole you are cutting with a hole saw but try to
stop just short of breaking through. Then use a stout sharp knife to finish
the job. This is posibly slightly less easy on Europa tanks as the wall
thickness appears a bit variable but its certainly what I would try and do.
My fuel system has a coarse (quite coarse in any case) filter that sticks
into the tank which can be removed and cleaned in about 5 minutes but which
doesn't actually hold much debris. Then I have a very fine fliter which once
the cowls are off takes about 5 minutes to remove inspect and clean. That on
does seem to be working a little harder. I shall inspect them both on my 100
hour checks this week which will be the third time for the fine filter. Most
of the heavier than fuel bits drop to the bottom of the tank sump which is
about 3" beneath my fuel pick up. If I fill from cans (which is my preffered
method) I always filter the fuel.
I must remember to modify my Jerry cans and add an earthing wire!
Jerry
lts@avnet.co.uk
http://www.avnet.co.uk/touchdown
----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Simpson <Dave_Simpson@londonweb.net>
Subject: Re: That fuel tank & its detritus...
> All,
>
> Particles of polyethylene, ripped from its parent material during the hole
> boring, gathers a static charge. This charge guarantees good adhesion of
> the swarf to the inside of the tank, even with all the precautions.
>
> There is no substitute for installing an access hole to the tank, and
> getting in there with a vacuum cleaner, then a rag moistened with petrol.
> In service the access hole is used for clearing out dead rabbits, piles of
> leaves and old bicycles from the inside of the tank. I don't know how
they
> get in there but they do.
>
> To my mind, the idea of leaving all the swarf in the tank is monstrous.
>
> Dave Simpson
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Fergus Kyle <fkyle@bigwave.ca>
> Date: 11 June 2000 22:57
> Subject: That fuel tank....
>
>
> >Cheers:
> > That fuel tank has given me another start.... Actually, while waiting
> >for a capacitance probe, I dismounted the tank and, having produced two
> >2-3/8inch holes in the top, decided to peruse the innards using a high
> >intensity lamp (the 'worm' kind you can twist about)and my reading
> >glasses.
> > What to my wondering eyes should appear, just about all but eight tiny
> >reindeer. I have handled the tank fairly carefully - always drilled
> >inverted, always capped every opening, swished with water and drained
> >then wafted with filtered air.....etc etc.
> > No complaint of the manufacturer or distributor (the holes were mine)
> >but the inside wall;s, bottom AND top were covered in a welter of tiny
> >specks, some black, some white. 'No big ting' - a Jamaican saying - in a
> >Wright Whirlwing carb, but pretty worrisome in those little needle jets
> >and certainly a filler for inline filters...... O'm glad we must put in
> >gascolators here.
> > For those about to install the tank, may I suggest a cursory scan of
> >the insides, using some form of bright light and a reduced flexible
> >vacuum wand that will reach into all the corners. I hope you aren't
> >surprised........
> >Happy Landings,
> >Ferg #A064 (319)
> >
> >
>
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