My own experience is much like Jeff's. I Used 1.5" metal filters, from
the auto parts store for first flight, and pitched them at one hour.
Replaced them with same type and pitched them at 25 hours, replacing
with same and tossing at 50 hours. At 150 hours, I installed the Europa
filters. Checked them at recent annual (200 hours) and they were fine.
Cleaned them out and reinstalled. No problems at all.
I did note some restriction in the first two sets of auto filters,
though not enough to cause any problems. After that, they are pretty
much clean, upon regular 50 hour inspections...
Jeff - Baby Blue
200 hours
JEFF ROBERTS wrote:
> 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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