I went through all the routines and thought I had it licked. Pressure
wash, gas flush, soap and water. Inspection through the hole I cut for the
fuel level transducer. Then using both pumps to run volumes of gas through
the system. I thought I had it pristine. Inspecting the filters had them
"looking good" However comparing a "clogged" filter against a new one only
revealed only a higher degree of opaquenees? Hence my assumption that what
is clogging the filter is the same color as the white element. I would
have been better off not being able to see anything getting a false sence
of security. So my fix is to get a disposable type filter at least 4 times
larger than the supplied units and change them regularly in early flying.
Making sure each one is right before each pump rather than at the outlet of
each side of the tank.
Steve
A143 N40SH
Flying and fixin'
Steve Hagar
hagargs@earthlink.net
> [Original Message]
> From: JEFF ROBERTS <jeff@rmmm.net>
> To: <europa-list@matronics.com>
> Date: 8/2/2006 8:36:18 AM
> Subject: Re: Europa-List: engine failure due to filters
>
> Kevin,
> I have flown 27 hours off of N128LJ without a problem. I noticed a
> little debris collecting in the left filter so I have switched to the
> right side. I mounted the filters under a door in an arm rest between
> the seats. I can view them in flight if I want to. I will be changing
> them out soon but I don't think anything is wrong with the tanks. I
> believe their may be a fuel issue in some cases or area's. After the
> tanks were drilled we washed them out with a high pressure hose. No
> problems have been encountered yet.... as I'm Knocking on wood.
> Regards
> Jeff
> RMMM
>
>
> On Aug 2, 2006, at 8:45 AM, kevin pownall wrote:
>
> > I was interested but not surprised to read about an early flight
> > engine failure in the last few days.
> >
> > Except that I ended in a field on the second flight it mirrors my
> > experience exactly.
> >
> > I put lots of fuel through before first flight ,cleaned the filters
> > etc. When after the engine failure I inspected the filters there was
> > nothing obviously visible to block both the filters.
> >
> > When I posted the problem there were lots with a similar experience.
> > It seems to be only in the early hours of flight that the blockages
> > happen. I put a concertina filter in and have had no more problems.
> >
> > My view , without proof , is that some form of fine film comes off the
> > interior of the tank in the first few flights.
> >
> > The problem seems to be specific to the Europa style tank not just to
> > fibre glass aeroplanes.
> >
> > No one has been killed yet . Is it possible to warn all builders now
> > of this possibility and ban the small Europa supplied filters before
> > someone is hurt.
> >
> > Kevin Pownall kevpow@iinet.net.au
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