What do you think? ..... I repalced the stock small fuel filter
with a larger fuel filter that also acts like a gascolator and
separates out up to an ounce of water. On the left side of the left
photo, you can see the black fuel line coming down in its stock
position as well as the aluminum bracket I made rotated down and
forward (hooked around the bottom piece of frame tubing). On the
right, you can see the fuel / water separator in place. The filter
is a Racor 120A type screw on filter, the clear bowl on the bottom
clearly shows any water separated. On the front of the racor, I put
a section of split black hose with white tie-wraps to keep the bolt
on the front of the racor from rubbing the back of the seat.
Clearance is good. The fule line routing is basically the same as
prior- just making a stop at the racor on the way down. Checking it
is easy, granted the filter element can't be seen, but is about 10x
bigger than the stock semi-opaque little plastic one provided by
the factory. ...... ... Total weight 1.63 lbs. ....... Cost ~ $122
for the filter, plus a few buck for the fittings. Replacement
filters are $25 (I'm using the R12S (s is for 2 micron filtration).
The blue hose is Aeroquip- I'm told one of the best fuel hoses
available, but am open to comment.
Why did I want a fuel water separator? Similar to the reasons
gascolators are standard on my planes (and ? all commercial
planes), water in the fuel continues to be a major reason for
engine malfunctions and resultant crashes. Often on takeoff, as the
water is at the bottom of the tank and part of the first liquids
that go into the engine after take off. Avgas, without the alcohol
in it, does not hold water in it, and so it sinks to to the bottom
of the tank after condensing, and should be found in preflight.
However, you may not find it on preflight for a variety of reasons.
You just filled the tank, and the water has not settled out, you
just flew in to a newer colder airport and did not RE-preflight
before your brief stop and go, etc. Auto / Pump gasoline has
alcohol in it, which absorbs water up to a point- however, like the
dew point, conditions may change that cause the water to come back
out of solution. Also, how do you know if the alcohol hasn't
already come from the pump holding about as much water as it can? I
use mostly pump gas, except on XC trips and then I add TSP to
scavenge the lead out (which Rotax recommends you do). Fuel is
kinda a damned if you do / don't situation. Avgas has lead, but
water is easier to spot. Pump gas has alcohol (which Rotax only
kinda permits), and water can be hidden in it.
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