It is worth mentioning is that fuel filters and gascolators are the last barrier
to dirt before the fuel gets to your engine. If the fuel was clean then in
theory
you wouldnt need them. And if your fuel tank is full of debry then no matter
what you do there is likely to be trouble sooner or later.
The last aircraft we built never suffered from fuel blockages (in 200 hours of
operation) because we (a) cleaned and flushed the fuel system prior to operation
and (b) made sure all the fuel we used was filtered into the tank (via a simple
funnel/ gauze filter). Yes, we did change the fuel filter regularly too.
We had no problem with water either because we always made sure the tank was
full
of fuel when it was hangared (the main cause of water is due to condensation
within the fuel tank during storage). Incidentally a full tank is much less
of a fire hazard than an empty one !
One worthwhile component that we have added to our fuel system is a fuel
pressure
guage. This enables a check on the state of the fuel delivery system prior
to take off. Any reduction in the fuel pressure indicates the likelyhood of the
filters clogging up, long before it becomes a serious problem. The fuel pressure
sender is connected to a Grand Rapids Technologies EIS and is programmed
to alarm if the pressure drops below a certain value.
Carl P
G-LABS
----- Original Message -----
From: DJA727@aol.com
Cc: georgec@sncorp.com ; jas56d@msn.com ; Mv727cap@aol.com
Subject: Fuel system changes
I am getting ready to install the fuel tank and am looking at changes to the
system. As a new builder, I am not 100% familiar with some of the things
mentioned
on the internet. Specifically, the fuel drain mod I have seen mentioned is
one of those things. Here is what I am planning to do:
On the 1/8 inch threaded holes on the output fittings from the tank, I will
install
a fitting to a fuel hose running to a quick drain valve for each tank -
reserve and main.
I will install a short section of hose out of the output fittings, then to an
adapter fitting to transition to solid aluminum lines to the selector valve and
to the firewall.
Since I will use both 1/8 inch feemale holes on the output fittings, (F09C)
I will not have the clear tube for fuel level check. I will instead use a gage
with a possible flexible dip stick for a gut check on the fuel level.
I am thinking that I might put in 2 gascolators, but after reading other's
stories
I would install one Andair gascolator after the fuel selector valve.
The selector valve would probably get mounted in a more convenient place --
like
on the top of the center console.
These are ramblings of a new builder. I like to be able to drain fuel from the
lowest point of the tank -- unlike my Twin Comanche which drains the lowest
point of the fuel system. With this setup, both tanks can be drained directly
with the port for the drain valve being at the low point of the output valve.
Back to work,
Dave
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