Hi all,
Has anyone had any problems with the Andair Mini Gascolator as the only
filter within their fuel system?
Cheers,
Tim
Graham Singleton wrote:
> Hi folks, still scratching my head about fuel systems <{{:-)>
>
> Having read the factory description of their ACS gascolator blockage, I
> have been asking around about gascolator design, if only to reinforce my
> own experience and opinions.
> There is a relatively cheap unit on the market, which has its bowl retained
> by a bent wire spring. This is prone to allow leaks (embarassing to a
> suction system) if not correctly tightened and prone to falling off if over
> tightened. I had one on my Long EZ, we used to wire it so that the spring
> couldn't let go, as recommended by our local certified engineers.
>
> The strainer is brass wire gauze, quite fine and a bit flexible. I am told
> that if it is subjected to debris this tends to form a ball of felt like
> material just below the suction outlet of the unit which increases the
> pressure drop across the gauze and causes distortion so that the gauze now
> pushes up against the outlet hole causing even more blockage.
> The size of the holes in the mesh allows bits of fibre, swarf or whatever
> to get jammed in as described by Andy in the newsletter.
>
> There are better things around. The Andair mini gascolator for the Rotax
> 912 series engines uses Teflon coated stainless steel mesh with pore size
> of 70 microns. It will not allow water to pass if wet with fuel. The flow
> through the filter slows at the face of the mesh which helps rubbish to
> fall away. If there is any sign of water or dirt at the daily drain check
> it is easy to drop the bowl and check. IMHO the daily preflight drain check
> is the best way of avoiding the filter blockages that have caught out too
> many Europa people already. Having a second filter and a second
> (questionable ) chance also adds the chance of other trouble and since most
> of the dirt that is put in with the fuel will go into the reserve side,
> which we rarely use, if the main side blocks then the reserve will quite
> likely block very soon after.
>
> Tell me if I'm wrong, I like to learn something every day. Helps to replace
> the many things I forget.
>
> Graham
>
--
Timothy P Ward
12 Waiwetu Street,
Fendalton,
Christchurch,
NEW ZEALAND
Ph. 0064 03 3515166
email ward.t@xtra.co.nz
Mobile 025 2649325
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